Today Irfaan Ali joins Alastair Campbell to discuss: How does Guyana balance its unprecedented economic growth, largely due to oil discoveries, with environmental sustainability? How does Guyana perceive and address the historical scar left by slavery? What has happened to West Indies cricket, and how does the future look? Alastair is joined by President of Guyana, Ifraan Ali, to answer all these questions and more. Social Producer: Harry Balden Video Editor: Josh Smith Assistant Producer: Alice Horrell Producer: Nicole Maslen Head of Content: Tom Whiter 00:00 – Where is Guyana? Borders, history, and language 02:01 – From second poorest to fastest-growing economy 03:20 – President Ali’s childhood and family background 05:09 – Life under dictatorship and the fight for democracy 07:47 – Relationship with the UK & the legacy of slavery 08:13 – Reframing reparations as a development pact 09:33 – Tackling slavery’s legacy 11:05 – Conversation with King Charles on forests and climate 12:22 – Ethnic and religious mix of Guyana 15:21 – Changing work culture and labour shortages 17:46 – Using oil revenue to build a diversified economy 18:42 – Guyana’s economic strengths beyond oil 20:48 – How Guyana became food self-sufficient 22:09 – Guarding against greed and corruption 24:41 – Sovereign wealth fund governance and the Norway model 27:02 – Carbon credits 30:09 – Keeping forests and biodiversity on the COP agenda 38:59 – Venezuela border dispute and ICJ process 41:49 – Ukraine and Gaza positions at the UN 44:41 – Why the UN needs bold reform 48:57 – The Decline of West Indies cricket 58:30 – Biodiversity as a global priority 59:47 – Strengthening UK-Guyana relations #politics #internationalrelations #climate #development #latinamerica #caribbean