Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot delivered closing remarks at the Defense Strategy and Policy Training Course on February 7, 2025. The event, sponsored by the William J. Perry Center and the Guyana National Defence Institute (NDI), focused on defense challenges in the Western Hemisphere, national security strategy, and policy development.
Theriot congratulated students for their participation in discussions on topics such as regional defense challenges, strategy and policy development, resource management, acquisitions, and civilian oversight of military institutions. She emphasized the importance of developing a network of defense professionals across the Americas through this partnership with Guyana's NDI.
She highlighted several course topics including disaster response, contingency planning, border security, human rights' strategic importance, emerging technology impacts, and critical infrastructure challenges. Theriot noted that these issues significantly impact government operations at high levels.
"Believe me," she said, "I learned that the hard way while serving in places like Haiti, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria." She reiterated her commitment to security as a top priority during her Senate confirmation hearing in March 2023 before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The collaboration between the Perry Center and Guyana's NDI is seen as crucial for strengthening defense relations. Theriot expressed gratitude to Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Brigadier Omar Khan for their roles in facilitating an enriching course experience.
"I think it is clear that this course has benefitted both Guyana and the United States," Theriot stated. She looks forward to future collaborations contributing to making NDI a regional hub for security and defense education.