Guyana has reaffirmed its support for the United Nations’ drive to establish global rules governing artificial intelligence (AI), with Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy participating in high-level discussions on the emerging technology. The government’s enthusiastic embrace of one UN-led initiative, however, comes only days after it declined to participate in a key United Nations vote concerning the decades-old United States economic embargo against Cuba—a contrast that is likely to prompt fresh questions about the consistency of Guyana’s commitment to multilateral engagement.
McCoy represented Guyana at the United Nations Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, held from July 6-7 during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2026 Forum.
Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, including learning, problem-solving, language processing and decision-making. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, education, finance, public administration and national security, governments worldwide are seeking common rules to ensure the technology is developed and used safely, ethically and transparently.
According to McCoy, the UN dialogue focused on promoting responsible, human-centred AI governance that protects human rights while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He said Guyana’s participation demonstrates the country’s commitment to adopting international standards on AI ethics, transparency and accountability as part of its national digital strategy.
Through discussions with global policymakers and technology leaders, Guyana also reaffirmed its commitment to helping shape international rules governing the development and use of emerging AI technologies.
“The discussions are expected to help inform Guyana’s approach to harnessing artificial intelligence to strengthen governance and drive national development, while ensuring citizens benefit from a fair, secure and inclusive digital future,” McCoy said.
The government’s embrace of a rules-based international framework on artificial intelligence comes just days after Guyana did not participate in a procedural vote at the United Nations General Assembly related to the decades-old United States economic embargo against Cuba—a position that stood in contrast to the longstanding practice of supporting UN action calling for an end to the sanctions.
The U.S. embargo against Cuba, first imposed in the early 1960s, has been the subject of annual UN General Assembly resolutions for more than three decades. The Assembly has consistently adopted resolutions urging Washington to end the embargo, arguing that it hampers Cuba’s economic and social development, although those resolutions are not legally binding.
This year, the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to proceed with debate on the embargo, with most CARICOM member states supporting the move. Guyana, however, did not participate in that procedural vote, prompting scrutiny because of its traditionally supportive stance on Cuba in international forums.
Guyana’s participation in the AI dialogue nevertheless underscores its support for multilateral efforts to address emerging global challenges through international cooperation and common standards.
The Global Dialogue on AI Governance forms part of a broader United Nations initiative to establish internationally accepted principles for the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence. As AI increasingly influences sectors ranging from healthcare and education to finance, public administration and national security, governments are seeking common rules to ensure the technology advances innovation while protecting privacy, human rights, transparency and accountability.
For Guyana, participation in those discussions suggests government’s ambition to integrate artificial intelligence into national development and public governance while aligning the country’s digital transformation agenda with evolving international standards.
At the same time, the contrast between Guyana’s active engagement in shaping new global governance frameworks on artificial intelligence and its decision not to participate in the recent UN vote concerning Cuba has drawn attention to the country’s evolving diplomatic posture at the United Nations. As Guyana assumes a more prominent role in international affairs, its positions on major multilateral issues are likely to come under increasing regional and international scrutiny.
