Minister, APA in talks on Indigenous Peoples development
The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) on Wednesday met with Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai to discuss ways in which the Ministry can further support the development of Indigenous peoples in Guyana.
During the discussion, a team from the APA provided the Minister with an overview of the priority areas of work for the organisation. These included works with the following project partners to varying extents, over the past five years: The Rainforest Foundation US with NORAD funding, the Tenure Facility, the Nia Tero Foundation, Forest Peoples Programme with NICFI funding, and IUCN Ecuador with EU funding.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai meeting with a delegation from the APA
A written submission was also presented to the Minister containing a description of each project, as well as the efforts of the organisation in supporting Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai, in her remarks, said she has been following the activities of the APA and looked forward to future collaborations.
As a rights advocacy group, the APA has committed to working to support political administrations in ensuring that the rights of Indigenous peoples are protected: that the right to free, prior and informed consent is respected in projects, programmes, legislative and policy reform, and development.
The APA will also continue to advocate for Indigenous peoples to be given spaces for effective participation and inclusion in decision-making at the national level.
“We [the APA] will continue our work on ensuring that projects, legislation and policy are developed to make lasting contributions to the furtherance of democracy in Guyana, and the sustainable development of the interior will reduce the proliferation of conflicts around land and natural resources and enhance the platform for Guyana’s leadership on global climate action,” the body said.
Also present at the meeting was the Ministry’s Parliamentary Secretary, Sarah Brown. Representing the APA at the meeting were its President, Lemmel Benson Thomas; Executive Director, Jean La Rose; Policy Officer, Sharon Atkinson; Governance and Rights Co-Ordinator, Laura George and GIS Specialist and Forest Policy Officer, Michael Mc Garrell.
