Biodiversity action plan to be revised
Former Minister Robert Persaud
Former Minister Robert Persaud

– will allow Guyana to adhere to international obligations

MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud, yesterday urged stakeholders to work assiduously on the revision of the draft version of Guyana’s Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). He described the NBSAP as vision-less and entreated stakeholders to do more to ensure it cater to the needs of Guyanese and fulfill international obligations.The minister made the remarks at the stakeholders’ consultation on the draft NBSAP to promote the conservation and sustainable management of Guyana’s biodiversity. The consultation was organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the national focal point to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD). The objectives were to present the revised NBSAP, seek stakeholders’ feedback and input in their review for the implementation of the NBSAP.

A section of the stakeholders during consultation on the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
A section of the stakeholders during consultation on the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The minister pointed out that while much has been done with respect to protecting and preserving Guyana’s biodiversity, more needs to be done to ensure that the new strategy and action plan is futuristic. “I am deliberately being provocative because I don’t just want you to accept what is before you, I am personally not satisfied, it needs to be innovative,” the minister stated.

He said there was need for the document to take into account current and future economic activity expressing pleasure at the diverse participation which the consultation attracted.

Among those present were several Regional Chairpersons, and EPA and biodiversity institutions’ staff.

Acknowledging that a lot has been done to put Guyana in a good position in relation to protecting and sustaining biodiversity, some of which have gone unnoticed, he said “we will continue to press on because it is not about getting recognition; it is about getting the job done.”

Pointing to existing policies such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the many international protocols and conventions which Guyana has signed onto, the minister observed that the NBSAP is needed in a form for the country to uphold those obligations.

Seeking to update Guyana’s efforts at meeting these obligations, the consultation sought the stakeholders’ input into the strategy towards the revision of the NBSAP. This would help to integrate Guyana’s obligations towards national development and sectoral planning frameworks through a renewed and participative ‘biodiversity planning’ and strategising process.

The overall goal of the NBSAP is to promote and achieve the conservation of Guyana’s biodiversity, to use its components in a sustainable way, and to encourage the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of Guyana’s biodiversity.

Guyana signed the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (UNCBD) in June 1992 and subsequently ratified it in August 1994. The Convention on Biological Diversity provides a global legal framework for action on biodiversity.

The Convention brings together the international stakeholders every two years, or as needed, to review progress in the implementation of the Convention, to adopt programmes of work to achieve its objectives, and provide policy guidance. Eleven meetings have been held to date.

The UNCBD is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and recognises that biological diversity is about more than flora and fauna and their ecosystems – it is about people and the need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment.
The main goals of the Convention are the conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of the components of biodiversity; and sharing the benefits arising from the commercial and other utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way.

These goals are addressed through work on Agricultural, Inland Waters, Marine and Coastal, Forest, Dry and Sub-humid Lands, Island and Mountain Biodiversity. Other areas of work cover the rapidly evolving field of biotechnology, address technology development and transfer, benefit-sharing and bio-safety.

The United Nations General Assembly, recognising the importance of biodiversity, encouraged countries to use the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan in the elaboration of the post 2015 development agenda. Having ratified the Convention, Guyana as a Party, has committed to implementing the UNCBD and the decisions taken at the Conference of Parties.

In developing updated/revised NBSAPs, countries do not need to have a national target for each global target in the CBD Biodiversity Strategy. The Guyana NBSAP will therefore be updated/revised to address national priorities and aligning these within the ambit of the global Biodiversity Strategy framework.

(GINA)

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