Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, said that the Government of Guyana remains committed to building a modern, resilient, and people-centred national security architecture.
The Prime Minister made the statement during his address today, at the launch of the National Defence Institute’s (NDI) inaugural Certificate in Defence Studies Programme.
He said the launch of the program represents more than the start of a new course, describing it as “a meaningful step forward in our country’s development.”
Prime Minister Phillips said that the initiative reflects a deliberate investment in developing strategic thinkers, stronger leaders, and a security system better equipped to respond to complex national, regional, and global challenges.
He also emphasised that Guyana’s approach to security must be comprehensive, noting that while military preparedness is essential, national security must ultimately centre on the well-being of the people. In this regard, he said, “At its core, national security is not defined by equipment, infrastructure, or technology alone; it is defined by the people who stand behind them.”
He explained that the Certificate in Defence Studies equips security personnel with knowledge, skills, and a mindset to lead effectively on land, air, maritime, and cyber domains. This program, he noted, is specifically designed to establish and strengthen the core values of discipline, awareness, and critical thinking with a view to ensuring that Guyana remains secure, resilient, and prepared for whatever lies ahead.
In outlining the role of the National Defence Institute, the Honourable Prime Minister said the NDI is central to the Government’s conception of national security and its national security strategy. He said that the institute must serve as a space where ideas are tested, doctrine is developed, and strategy is refined, while exposing future leaders to national, regional, and global security realities.
Speaking to the importance of collaboration, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted that the program brings together the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, and other key agencies in a shared environment, thereby strengthening coordination and fostering a more unified approach to national security.
The Prime Minister noted too that Guyana, like other countries, faces increasingly complex and interconnected security threats, and addressing these requires informed, coordinated, and forward-looking responses. He said that, even as the threat landscape evolves, protecting Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains a priority.
“That responsibility is non-negotiable,” adding that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence must be responsibly used by trained and disciplined professionals to strengthen national security.
In highlighting the country’s national security priorities, the Prime Minister said Guyana remains focused on safeguarding sovereignty, modernising defence and relevant institutions, strengthening border security, expanding cybersecurity capacity, enhancing intelligence coordination, and deepening regional and international partnerships.
“Achieving these priorities requires sustained and strategic investment, and that is a commitment we have made as a government. We are moving beyond a model that focuses only on maintaining operations. Instead, we are investing in transformation: upgrading infrastructure, acquiring modern assets, strengthening intelligence systems, and building institutional capacity. A critical part of this investment is education and training.”
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous learning within the security services, noting that leadership must be continually developed, challenged, and refined.
He said this approach is essential to building a security sector that is not only capable but respected both nationally and across the region.
