–President Ali says

AS the effects of climate change become more disastrous, sustainable management of forests is becoming more important.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali has called on the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) to galvanise its advocacy in several areas.

President Ali, in his address to leaders at the VIII Summit of CELAC in St Vincent and the Grenadines, called for CELAC to take action as it relates to the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) processes, and other policy approaches as decided by the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Against this background, the Guyanese Head of State extended his heartfelt gratitude for the invitation extended by Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva, for Guyana to present its forest conservation model at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This was disclosed following bilateral talks between Guyana’s President, and Brazil’s President, on Thursday.

During a press briefing, Dr Ali said that the two leaders discussed the importance of addressing climate change.

As President Ali continued to address the room of esteemed leaders, he underscored that Guyana like many other countries represented at the Summit, is cognisant of the disproportionate exposure to the harmful effects of climate change on many of their local industries.

“… The government has embarked on the implementation of a Low Carbon Development Strategy which focuses on forest climate and other ecosystem services, stimulation of future growth through clean energy and sustainable economic activities, protection against climate change and alignment of the country’s economic and social policies with global climate goals,” President Ali firmly remarked.

The Guyanese Head of State then reiterated the call for the fulfillment of the financial commitments needed to address and support climate mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage, especially in vulnerable countries.

He further related: “On climate finances, we must be collectively proud of the work our sister, Prime Minister Mottley and I applaud her.”

Dr Ali also stressed that CELAC could play a “pivotal” role in seeking to address issues that impact the sustainable development of the region, such as climate change, energy security, and food and nutrition security.

As he explained how climate change and extreme weather conditions have begun to put the world’s food production and global food security at risk, the Guyanese Head of State remarked that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it worse.

“Guyana as lead in CARICOM on this initiative continues to advocate for food and nutrition security in the region. My government welcomes collaborative efforts and partnerships in the retooling effort to build the necessary capacity to meet the rising need for expertise in the advancement of this sector,” Dr Ali said.

For context, the ‘25 by 25’ initiative is a pledge by the Heads of Government of the CARICOM to reduce the region’s food-import bill by at least 25 per cent by 2025.

Notably, Guyana’s forest-conservation efforts continue to be recognised as a blueprint for sustainable development, particularly through the implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

In December 2022, Guyana achieved a ground-breaking milestone as the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) issued the world’s first TREES credits to the country, recognising its success in preventing forest loss and degradation through jurisdictional REDD+.

A historic agreement with the Hess Corporation promises a minimum of US$750 million for Guyana over the next decade, with carbon credits playing a crucial role in the initiative.
Over 200 Indigenous communities in Guyana are already reaping the benefits from the sale of these carbon credits.

President Ali expressed confidence in Guyana’s leadership, stating: “Our position on climate change and the successes we have had is as a result of pursuing the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030.”