“Diversity is not our weakness… it is our greatest strength” – Pres Ali in Arrival Day Message

– PM says contributions of ancestors etched in fabric of Guyanese society

In the face of growing intolerance and discrimination against immigrants around the world, President Dr Irfaan Ali is reminding Guyanese that the country’s rich diversity, built by its various peoples, is its greatest strength.
This was relayed by the Head of State in his message to commemorate today’s observance of Arrival Day 2025.
According to President Ali, immigrants who have built nations, powered economies and enriched cultures around the world are now being targeted, vilified, and excluded – something he stated that should never happen in a multi-cultured Guyana.
“Let us never make that mistake. Let us cherish each other and uplift one another. Here in Guyana, let us continue to celebrate and value the sacrifices and contributions of all of our people. We are proud of our multicultural character. Diversity is not our weakness – it is our greatest strength,” he stressed.
Urging citizens to pause and reflect on the invaluable contributions of all those immigrants who came here with little – many who stayed and helped lay the foundation for the Guyana today, the President noted that our ancestors enriched the country’s national character and helped fashion a multiethnic society.
Though Arrival Day honours all the foreparents who arrived on these shores, following Emancipation, as indentured labourers, the Guyanese Leader recognised that May 5 this year marks the 187th anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of East Indian indentured immigrants to Guyana, whose spirit and sacrifices continue to propel national development.
“This year, however, as we commemorate Arrival Day, we do so not only to look back but to urge a deeper recommitment to the future we wish to build – a future where all Guyanese, regardless of race, heritage, religion, or background can feel a sense of belonging, pride, and purpose. No heritage must feel hidden. No voice must feel unheard…”
“As such, let us use this day to not only honour all Guyanese, past and present, but to chart a course that upholds the values that have served us well – hard work, unity, dignity, and fairness. Let us strive for a society where no one is left behind, where every community has a voice, and where every citizen has a place at the table. In the Guyana we are building, all must be recognised and respected,” the Head of State said.
President Irfaan Ali emphasised the importance of building a “One Guyana” in which all citizens benefit equitably from the country’s natural wealth, its ongoing development and transformation, and the opportunities emerging across every region and sector.
“One Guyana means ensuring that Indigenous peoples are not forgotten or left behind. It means supporting African-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese communities, not just with words but with real investment and engagement. It means recognising the contributions of our European, Portuguese, Chinese, and mixed-heritage brothers and sisters, and ensuring that all are embraced and regarded as part of our national family,” he noted.
Highlighting that prosperity is not a privilege but a right, the Guyanese leader noted that there is enough room for all Guyanese, not just to live but to thrive as well, through mutual respect and recognition for each other’s histories and contributions.
“Today, therefore, is not a day only of remembrance – it is a day of responsibility. We honour our foreparents best not just by recalling their struggles, but by carrying forward their dreams of justice, equality, and dignity for all. Let us build a Guyana where no one is made to feel like a stranger in their own land, and where every child, regardless of their community, can aspire to greatness. Happy Arrival Day Guyana. Let us move forward together – united, determined, and committed to a future in which everyone belongs,” President Ali stated.
Meanwhile, in his Arrival Day message, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, reflected on the profound impact that the diverse peoples that make up the country’s heritage have had on Guyana’s rich history and spirit.
Woven from the threads of our Amerindian peoples, Africans, East Indians, Portuguese, Chinese, and Europeans, he said Guyana’s cultural tapestry reflects centuries of resilience, strength, and determination. Through difficult paths marked by the hardship of slavery and indentureship, ancestors brought enduring traditions, values, and a shared hope for a better future.
According to the Prime Minister, “These contributions are etched in the fabric of our society – from our languages, cuisine, and music, to the values of perseverance and hard work that define the Guyanese spirit. Their sacrifices gave rise to a nation grounded in multiculturalism and built on the principles of unity and inclusiveness.”
PM Phillips added that the knowledge, culture, and determination of each group, coupled with their labour, has helped shape the course of Guyana’s development, and opened pathways to greater inclusion and participation in the life of the nation. He noted their legacy continues to inspire even today, to build a society rooted in unity, respect, and shared progress.
“This occasion is a time for reflection on what unity truly means in a country as diverse as ours. As we pay tribute to our ancestors, let us also recommit ourselves to the ideals they embodied: hard work and dignity. May we recognise that their journey was not in vain. May we honour their legacy with our words and through our continued efforts, to build a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation for all,” the Prime Minister stated.