Guyana’s prominence at OTC 2026 shows influence in global energy sector – Finance Minister

…as President Ali leads 100-member delegation to Houston

President Dr Irfaan Ali will be leading a large Guyanese delegation to the 2026 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas, in the new week, where he will be delivering the featured address at the opening ceremony – something that demonstrates Guyana’s growing influence in the global oil and gas industry.

This is according to the Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who recalled that in the past, the country was a mere participant in this key United States-based event.

“The fact that Guyana has been elevated to the prominence we’ve achieved in OTC 2026 speaks volumes about Guyana’s place in the oil and gas industry worldwide, in the offshore technology subsector, which is the focus of OTC, and the extremely high regard in which Guyana is held globally,” Dr Singh stated on the Starting Point podcast.

President Ali is slated to depart Guyana today, along with a 100-member delegation of key officials and private sector stakeholders, for the conference, which will take place from May 4 to 7, 2026, at NRG Park in Houston, Texas.OK

The Guyanese leader is expected to deliver the keynote address on Monday and lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the formal commencement of the world’s largest offshore energy technology event.

According to the Finance Minister, this year’s OTC is an excellent illustration of not just Guyana’s relevance as an oil-producing nation, but also the high regard in which President Ali is held on the global stage. “That itself tells you Guyana’s place, and of course President Ali’s place, in the global arena and in the global conversations around subjects that are relevant to us… Guyana will be taking centre stage at OTC this year under President Ali’s leadership.”

“These are not accidental occurrences. People listen to hear what you have to say. They examine whether you have something of value to contribute, and it is on that basis that they engage with you,” Minister Singh emphasised.

Over the years, key Government officials, including Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharat and Chief Investment Officer Peter Ramsaroop, have led Guyanese delegations to the conference, which has served as a key networking and partnership-building opportunity, especially for local businesses. This is the first time a Guyanese leader will attend and headline the opening event.

Additionally, Guyana will be spotlighted during the conference’s Around the World Series on May 5, with local officials participating in several sessions that focus on the country’s policy direction, investment climate, local content framework, and development opportunities.

Minister Bharat and Ramsaroop will join President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Kathy Smith and ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge for discussions on ‘Guyana’s Integrated Energy Future: Linking Offshore Growth, Climate Resilience, and Food Security’.

This session will be moderated by GCCI’s Councillor Rosh Khan and will explore Guyana’s evolution from a landmark offshore energy discovery to a diversified, investment-ready energy platform anchored in long-term sustainability.

In a February 26 statement announcing that President Ali will officially open the 2026 conference, the OTC Board of Directors highlighted the strong and constructive engagement between Guyana and the global offshore energy community.

“President Ali’s acceptance of our invitation to open OTC 2026 is a tremendous honour for the conference and a meaningful recognition of the role OTC plays on the world stage,” Dan McConnell, Chairman of the OTC Board of Directors, said. “Guyana has established itself as a major offshore producer and an important voice in the global energy landscape, and we look forward to welcoming President Ali and his delegation to Houston as we explore the technologies and partnerships shaping the future of offshore energy.”