Construction of international laboratory for biodiversity to begin soon – President

In keeping with the country’s green development agenda, a vast amount of land will be protected in an effort to conserve the environment. In this light, President David Granger announced on Saturday that the construction of an international laboratory for biodiversity will commence soon in the compound of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation Development, in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).

This revelations were made by President Granger while officially declaring opening the second annual National Tree Day event at Iwokrama, Region Nine on Saturday.
“As we continue to advocate the importance of sustaining our environment, importance must be given to the repercussions that the effects of climate change may have on our developmental path. Therefore, it is vital that we enforce measures which can withstand whatever negative effects climate change can have on our environment,” the President said.
The President also referenced present and future developmental projects which he noted have been “leading the way” in Guyana’s sustainable development trajectory. Among those mentioned were the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIFF) initiatives which fosters partnership between Guyana and Norway on issues of climate change, biodiversity and sustainable low carbon development.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder explained that while risk factors of climate change differ by country, Guyana’s Government has taken an “holistic approach” by embracing various risks and accounting for synergies and trade-offs.
“Indeed, one of the most effective ways for agriculture to adapt to climate change could be to increase its resilience. What we would focus on is the various risk management strategies to deal with such changes such as the Flood Risk Management project, and the more recent recommendations of the Kingdom of Netherlands Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) Team,” Holder posited.
National Tree Day 2016 is being held under the theme, “Sustaining Biodiversity: Plant a Tree”. It is the hope of the Agriculture Ministry to use the annual event to create more awareness on the importance of trees for food, medicine, fibre for clothing and woods for shelter.
Holder referred to this year’s theme which he noted reflects on building a “resilient agriculture” sector as a means of adapting to the effects of climate change.
Meanwhile, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock said Guyana’s recognition for its forest conservation has been “enormous”, noting thet importance that plants play in the country’s sustainable development agenda.
“The gains to be derived remains enormous, however, for this to be fully realised, there must be a strong collaboration from both Government and the Private sector… Initiatives such as the soon to be constructed lab, which was announced by the President, will aid in bridging the gap between the coast and hinterland,” Allicock expressed.
Also attending the event were, Country Representative, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mr Ruben Robertson, Mayor of Linden, Carwyn Holland, Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry George Jervis and Head of Department and staff of the various sub-agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture.
The National Tree Day event forms part of the Agriculture Ministry’s calendar of activities in observance of its month-long celebration where the sector’s performance and the contribution farmers make towards Guyana’s development is celebrated.
This year, Agriculture Month is being held under the theme, “Exploring new production frontiers: in Pursuit of Climate Resilience.”