President Ali has reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to combating climate change, poverty at UN

Dear Editor,
In his address to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 25, 2024, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali did something outstanding; something that no other Guyanese Head of State has done.
At this major annual international event, where more than 180 heads of state and other senior government officials come together to discuss their priorities, President Ali boldly and confidently reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to achieving the ultimate global biodiversity target of 30 percent by 2030.
President Ali did not mince words when he called for the launching of a Global Biodiversity Alliance which seeks to unite biodiversity-rich countries in order to develop a scalable model for environmental protection, and advance peace, security and sustainable development.
His Excellency highlighted Guyana’s rich biodiversity, with forests covering some 86 percent of its land mass, and underscored the fact that Guyana has embarked on a comprehensive Low Carbon Development Strategy to safeguard and uphold its biodiversity agreement, and should be rewarded for its efforts.
Dr Ali said, “We have preserved our biodiversity, and know its value. We believe it is only fair and just that this global asset be monetized in a fair carbon market.”
The Guyanese Head of State emphasized that these are not mere words, but real and genuine issues that Guyana has put forward to address the global problem of biodiversity loss. He reiterated that forests are integral to combatting climate change, and said it is time for a mechanism for carbon credit to be put in place.
The President has urged the leaders of the global community to take this issue seriously and act on their commitments, particularly in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, which are threatening the existence of the world.
Besides biodiversity loss, which is germane to the world, President Ali voiced other concerns, and has again called for urgent global action to address pressing issues such as poverty, food insecurity, energy insecurity, fair trade practices, and inequality.
He pleaded with the world leaders, especially those from Global North countries, to take concerted actions to address the root causes of these issues, and work steadfastly to improve them.
President Ali underlined the inequalities faced by countries of the Global South and called for their inclusion in major institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among others.
Not only did his Excellency stress the importance of the Global South countries having equitable and adequate access to technology, but he also implored the leaders of the countries of the Global South to make sure public policies and global strategies are aligned with that agenda, in order to bridge the digital divide and leverage artificial intelligence for the benefit of all. He insisted that these reforms must go beyond fair representation, and ensure that their policies and practices align with the developmental needs and aspirations of all countries, and not only those countries of the Global North.
In addressing the border dispute, President Dr Ali asserted that the United Nations has a special responsibility to secure small states such as Guyana against aggression from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. He sought support from member nations to ensure that Venezuela adheres to the ruling of the International Court of Justice.
It must be noted that President Ali’s robust and spirited speech at the UNGA has provided sound guidance to the leaders of the Caribbean and the international community on several regional and international issues, including the reduction of the region’s huge food imports, free and equal trade, energy and food security, reduction of poverty; and, most of all, climate change, which could have an adverse effect on mother earth.

Sincerely,
Dr Asquith Rose