Heads of Government within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have reiterated their full backing for two key candidates from the region for prestigious international posts, affirming their unwavering support for Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim of Guyana to head the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and for Albert Ramdin of Suriname to lead the Organisation of American States (OAS).
This reaffirmation of support was conveyed in a communique issued following the 48th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government on Friday.
Dr. Ibrahim, currently serving as the Director of Technical Cooperation at IICA, is the leading candidate for the position of Director General of the organisation. The election is slated for November 2025. With an extensive career spanning several decades, Dr. Ibrahim has gained recognition as an expert in environmental livestock and sustainable agricultural practices.
A Guyanese by birth, Dr. Ibrahim has lived in Costa Rica for over 30 years, many of which were spent in Turrialba. He holds a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Wageningen Agricultural University, and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences of Renewable Natural Resources, specialising in Ruminant Nutrition, from the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE). His Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences was earned at the University of Guyana.
Dr. Ibrahim’s career highlights include serving as the Director General of CATIE from March 2016, where he spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing livestock systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to this, he held senior roles within IICA, including Manager of the Innovation for Productivity and Competitiveness Program, and Associate Director of the Technical Cooperation Program from 2012 to 2016.
He is also the founder of CATIE’s Livestock and Environmental Management Program and is credited with transforming traditional livestock systems into environmentally sustainable and competitive models. His work has had a tangible impact on livestock families throughout the region, improving their livelihoods through the adoption of silvopastoral methodologies and technologies.
In addition to his leadership in agricultural development, Dr. Ibrahim is an experienced academic and researcher, with numerous scientific publications in both regional and international journals. His deep expertise and long-standing contributions make him a highly qualified candidate for the role of Director General at IICA.
Alongside Dr. Ibrahim’s candidacy, CARICOM also reaffirmed its support for His Excellency Albert Ramdin, the Foreign Minister of Suriname, in his bid for the post of Secretary-General of the OAS. Mr. Ramdin has been a prominent figure in regional and international diplomacy and his extensive experience in foreign affairs and international cooperation positions him as a strong candidate to lead the OAS in the coming years.
The decisions to back Dr. Ibrahim and Mr. Ramdin reflect CARICOM’s commitment to ensuring strong leadership in these key regional organisations and advancing the interests of the Caribbean on the global stage.
The post CARICOM reaffirms support for Guyana’s Dr. Ibrahim to head IICA and Suriname’s Albert Ramdin to head OAS appeared first on News Room Guyana.
