Guyana to remain in forefront of environmental protection – President

Even with the expansion of economic hubs across the country, Government has taken a strong stance for the protection of the environment and preservation of biodiversity.
In a statement on Saturday, President Irfaan Ali made this announcement in celebration of World Environment Day, observed under the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration.”
“Guyana has been in the forefront of protecting the environment, and our country remains one of the most densely forested in the world, with intact flora and fauna. We have several hotspots with rich biodiversity supported by protected areas systems.”

Ali directed that these efforts will be guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was launched in 2009 to transform Guyana’s economy on to a sustainable trajectory while simultaneously combating climate change.
“As we continue to protect our environment whilst expanding economic opportunities for our people, in this process, my Government will be guided by the revised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The revised strategy will expand into environmental services, water resources management, climate resilience, biodiversity, and marine economy. As a testament to my Government’s landmark agreement with Norway, we have seen forest carbon-related payments for avoiding deforestation and other degradative activities as a tool for determining the economic value of our ecosystems and biodiversity.”
The Head of State added that with the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence for Biological Diversity, the objective will be placed on promoting cutting-edge research and development and exporting educational services.
“Even our National System of Protected Areas is also being strengthened and expanded in accordance with international standards of environmental integrity. My Government has established a national strategy for mangrove protection and restoration along our coastline and rivers, which builds on our existing work, such as the National Mangrove Management Plan and Restoration and Management Programmes initiated by previous PPP/C Governments,” the President outlined.
In addition, the Administration has signed the Leaders Pledge for Terrestrial Protected Areas and the Marine Protected Areas, joining the United Kingdom and many other countries around the world. In March 2021, Guyana also signed on to the proposed Amazon Bioeconomy Fund.
This proposal, he added, includes Guyana’s South American partners, who share coverage of one of the largest and, sadly, most under threat forest in the world, the majestic Amazon Rainforest. “This initiative is an important contribution to kick-start a change of entrenched behaviours to create the foundation for markets that value the fundamental role of natural capital in the business, highlighting biodiversity as an important element of economic success.”
It was highlighted that Guyana continues to build international partnerships, including its status as a signatory to various Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the three Rio Conventions: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD); and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Guyana had signed with Norway, a historic forest protection accord which saw the country receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions. A total of US$250 million was to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period.
In February, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh revealed that Guyana had more than US$135 million in climate change-related funds that it is entitled to but has not been able to access due to the political instability under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government. These are funds that the current Government was seeking to have released.
Since taking office, the PPP/C has committed to restarting the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which would not only provide reliable energy but would provide a sustainable source of energy.