Guyana President Calls for Global Unity in Defence of Peace at Remembrance Day Ceremony

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Standing before the Cenotaph Monument in Georgetown on Sunday, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali led the nation in solemn observance of Remembrance Day, calling on countries across the world to unite in defence of peace, justice, and human dignity.

Amid steady rainfall, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces joined government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, veterans, and citizens in paying tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

“We are indebted forever to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” President Ali said. “We recall with eternal gratitude those who have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, liberty, equity, and social justice.”

The ceremony, held annually on the second Sunday of November, featured a military parade, the sounding of the “Last Post,” and two minutes of silence before the laying of wreaths by the President, senior government officials, and representatives of the armed forces and diplomatic community.

President Ali used the occasion to commend active service members of the Guyana Defence Force and other uniformed services for their vigilance in safeguarding national sovereignty. He also urged global leaders to recommit to peaceful cooperation amid growing international tensions.

“Let us protect our next generation and allow them to grow in a world of honour, freedom, and dignity,” he said.

Joining the President at the ceremony were Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, who served as acting Prime Minister; Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr.; and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Steven Jacobs.

Remembrance Day observances were also held in regional towns across the country, where local officials and residents laid wreaths in memory of fallen soldiers.

The Cenotaph Monument, located at Main and Church Streets, was unveiled in 1923 to honour Guyanese soldiers who served and died in both World Wars. Originally linked to Armistice Day, the event has since evolved into a national day of reflection on the cost of war and the value of peace.

President Ali’s appeal for unity, made against the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts, echoed Guyana’s broader call for dialogue and respect for international law — values he has repeatedly highlighted in recent regional and multilateral forums.

“Today, as we remember those who gave everything for peace,” Ali said, “we must reaffirm our collective duty to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.”