MINISTER of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, on Monday received the first Climate Landscape Analysis for Children (CLAC) to be presented in the South American Region from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The report which was presented by UNICEF’s Representative to Guyana, Ms. Sylvie Fouet, is an assessment of the impact climate, energy and the environment have on Guyanese children.

In receiving the report, Minister Harmon said the Government of Guyana views the document as important, while noting that the handing over is timely as the administration is in the process of finalising its Green State Development Strategy.

“Climate Change is very important to Guyana and it is important that we educate our people from the lowest level coming up. Climate Change and the Green State Development Strategy are all matters which are of current concern,” the Minister of State stated.

Further, Minister Harmon said, “Climate Change is not just another buzz word, but it is something that affects the lives of all of all Guyanese.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Fouet said environmental awareness among youth is very important and

hopes that there would be continued consultations with the youth on the subject.
“What I like the most is that we have been supported by the Office of Climate Change (OCC) and more than 21 agencies in Guyana opened their doors [to us] … so it is a very comprehensive review, ” Ms. Fouet said of the analysis while committing to strengthening UNICEF’s relationship with the OCC and other stakeholders.

The CLAC study is the first of its kind to be presented in the South American Region.