The governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the People's National Congress Reform(PNCR) must work together or risk eventual extinction, as the era of old, binary thinking is over.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo made the call on Wednesday at a night of reflections for former PNC leader Robert Corbin at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

"What I'm saying is unless our parties, these two parties change today, the era of binary thinking, of old thinking is long gone. We will face extinction," he said.

Dr Jagdeo said Corbin recognised that decades of political rivalry and racial division had undermined national progress, and was willing to challenge it. He praised Corbin for taking the political risk of pursuing cooperation between the PNC and the PPP/C, noting that his vision for unity was ahead of its time.

"Robert Corbin defended his party fiercely in every engagement we've had," the Vice President said. "He always defended his party with the strongest advocate for the People's National Congress. But he had a bigger vision for the country."

Dr Jagdeo said building trust between the two parties was essential, given the mistrust inherited from decades of political opposition.

"Unless our parties grow and mature and get over the hurt of what happened historically, unless we understand that that period and how it was foisted on us and how it harmed us for such a long time, we will not be able to give true leadership and realise the full potential of this country," he said.

He noted that constitutional reforms introduced in 2001 had created opportunities for greater inclusion, but warned that mistrust could lead to political and legislative paralysis if carried into the executive.

Dr Jagdeo added that Guyana's changing political landscape required both parties to move beyond racial stereotypes and rigid party loyalties.

Reflecting on Corbin's legacy, he said he genuinely missed the former PNC leader and regretted that their efforts had not succeeded.

"I wish he had succeeded. Maybe this would have been a different place today," he said.