Pres Ali challenges Iwokrama to deepen scientific footprint, expand eco-tourism

…as stakeholders celebrate 30 years since passage of Iwokrama Act

As stakeholders gathered at the Marriott Hotel on Monday evening to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Iwokrama Act, President Dr Irfaan Ali challenged the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (IIC) to deepen its scientific footprint, open its data to the world, and expand ecotourism. The call was made by the Minister of natural resources, Vickram Bharrat, who presented the feature address and also delivered remarks on behalf of the President.
“His Excellency would like to throw the challenge to Iwokrama to establish a national biodiversity research expansion programme, anchored at Iwokrama, of course, to consolidate long-term ecological research, species mapping, and climate resilience studies into a structured national platform. This should make Iwokrama the undisputed hub of Guyana’s biodiversity science,” Minister Bharrat said.

Secondly, he said President Ali is encouraging the creation of an Iwokrama Biodiversity Data Platform that would make high-quality environmental data openly accessible to researchers, policymakers and students, noting that “knowledge must not only be generated; it must be shared.” Lastly, he said the Guyanese leader envisions the development of a low-impact ecotourism expansion strategy, enabling sustainable tourism that creates jobs while preserving ecological integrity.
“These are the three challenges that His Excellency has asked me to convey to you…and the President, if you listen to him carefully, recently you’ve been seeing that a President in his final term is very impatient… So obviously, he would like to see this happen in the near future, and with the support of his Government as well,” Minister Bharrat expressed.

“More Iwokramas”
Meanwhile, the natural resources Minister, in his remarks at the event, noted that this celebration is also a recognition of 30 years of Guyana showing the world that development can be balanced with environmental stewardship.
“Iwokrama is a practical example of how you can keep the world alive. Iwokrama is a practical example of conservation, of what is needed especially by forest countries, forested countries. So, as we join many others at COP and many other conferences around the world, we, as Guyanese and Guyana, must be proud that we can point to an example such as Iwokrama and say that we have done this in Guyana. And the people who have been behind this for the last 30 years must be commended for what we are celebrating here this evening,” he noted.
In fact, Minister Bharrat reflected on the bold and selfless act made by Guyana when it designated the Iwokrama Forest for conservation. “And this was actually a selfless act by a country that was in great depression in 1989. Imagine a country in that kind of state in 1989 setting aside 371,000 hectares of forest for conservation. That shows commitment, it shows dedication, and it shows responsibility of a small nation making its contribution to the fight against climate change at a time when many disputed climate change, at a time when many believed that climate change was not real in 1989, at a time when we could have cut down our forests like many other countries and become wealthy too,” he contended.
“But we decided, even though our economy was in tatters at that time, that we were going to set aside 371,000 hectares, almost 1 million acres of forest that will be set aside for conservation. And that is the example that we have set as a country, a small country…30 years of showing the world that we can balance development with environmental stewardship,” he emphasised. Against this backdrop, the natural resources Minister declared that Iwokrama is a model that should be emulated by all forested countries around the world – a message also supported by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey. In delivering virtual remarks at the event, she noted that Iwokrama shows how governments, indigenous communities, researchers, the private sector, and international partners can work together for the common good. “Three decades ago, Guyana made a bold and generous choice in offering the Iwokrama Forest to the Commonwealth and to the world as a living laboratory – a place where humanity could prove that conservation and development are mutually reinforcing,” she expressed, noting that the vision was “ahead of its time”.
“Across our planet, forests are under pressure, biodiversity is being lost, land is being degraded, communities are facing floods, heat, food insecurity and climate shocks with growing frequency and intensity. Iwokrama shows us that another path is possible. For three decades, it has shown that forests can be protected, valued and sustainably used. It has demonstrated the power of science, good governance, partnership, enterprise and, above all, the leadership and knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities who have cared for these landscapes for generations. “Iwokrama is both a forest and a model, showing us that nature is the foundation of resilience, prosperity and life itself,” the Secretary General emphasised, noting that Iwokrama is considered one of the CW’s “great centres of excellence”. Moreover, she went on to highlight that the next decade will be decisive, noting that the world does not need more speeches about the value of nature. “It needs more action to protect nature while creating opportunity and hope. Iwokrama is proof of that…the world needs more Iwokramas, and the next 30 years must be even bolder than the last,” she added.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Joseph Fisher, delivered remarks on behalf of His Royal Highness King Charles III, who continues to serve as the patron of the IIC. “By protecting nearly one million acres of intact rainforest, developing avenues for sustainable ecotourism, and expanding your living laboratory to study a greater breadth of wildlife and ecosystems, and through this innovative partnership with the Commonwealth, the Centre has played a vital role in the preservation of a remarkable asset crucial to international efforts to ensure climate stability,” he noted. The British High Commissioner went on to express that he eagerly looks forward to seeing what further progress there will be in the decades to come. King Charles III has maintained a long-standing commitment to the IIC, serving as its patron since 2000. He renewed his patronage in June 2024 and again in 2025, supporting the centre’s focus on sustainable forestry, biodiversity and climate change resilience.

Hundreds of Species
The IIC is an international not-for-profit organisation governed by an International Board of Trustees and managed by a professional team of around seventy permanent staff in Georgetown and at the Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre at Kurupukari. It was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest, in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general.
Delivering remarks at the commemorative event was the chief executive officer (CEO) of the IIC, Dane Gobin, who reflected on the organisation’s achievements over the years as he underscored its global significance. “Iwokrama Forest is rich in biodiversity; its natural assets include 130 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 150 species of reptiles, 420 species of fish, 86 species of bats and counting. There are also the Giants of El Dorado, including the Giant Otter, the Caiman, the Anteater, the Arapaima, the Jaguar, and the River Turtle, to name a few. In terms of flora, there are nine distinct forest types and 1250 plant species…” he told the gathering. Speaking about its achievements, Gobin highlighted that Iwokrama was the first institution to acquire and maintain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in Guyana – a major feat. FSC certification for the Iwokrama Forest means it is managed to the highest international standards for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The Iwokrama Forest remains the only forest area in Guyana and the Caribbean to achieve this accolade.
In recent years, many international buyers and consumers have increased demands for proof of forest products being sourced from well-managed forests. Currently, many of the major global markets require some sort of certification for wood imports to provide assurance to buyers that wood comes from forests managed according to strict social, economic, and environmental standards.