–          developing countries can spearhead climate solutions, President Ali says
–          points to best practices, models already established

SETTING ambitious targets to address climate change, the developing countries in the Global South have spearheaded decisive action, implementing solutions to address devastating effects of climate change.

This is according to Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who, on Tuesday, pointed out that, despite challenges, the Global South is increasingly showing leadership in climate action.
Dr. Ali made those comments during a high-level discussion on ‘Restoring Ambition for International Climate and Development: Learning from Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCD), and Its Global Model for Forest Finance’ held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Citing Guyana’s own model, the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, Dr Ali said: “Transformative progress is possible when developing countries lead the way in finding solutions.”
“Many times we believe, and frankly speaking, we portray ourselves as problem to the world. You know, when we give, when we create undemocratic conditions, we present ourselves as a problem to the world,” he added.

Dr. Ali believes that developing nations can be the champions of their own destinies, pointing to the already established best practices, ideas and solutions.
“Those of you who are acquainted with LCDS would know that it was not only hard work, it was tough decisions. It was decisive action. It was convincing local and international stakeholders.”
The LCDS was first launched in 2009 with the intention of mapping out the path of a new growth trajectory in a non-polluting way. The first draft of the policy had set out an initial view on how this might be done, and outlined insights on how to stimulate the creation of a low-deforestation, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy in Guyana.

“If you look at the world today, we can see that leadership in climate action is increasingly coming from the Global South. Now, if you look at the investment profile of all the countries in the world, whether the large companies, the global south, the Central America, the South America let’s examine it factually and match the rhetoric with action.”

He noted that Developing Countries, are now positioning themselves as leaders in finding solutions and driving global policy, shifting the narrative of being seen as ‘problems’ of the world that need to be solved.
“It is not just big nations that we must analyse. We also have to look at what small countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America are doing, because there is a lot that they are doing in stepping up as well. Rwanda, a leader in forest restoration…The global south is proving that innovative solutions to the climate crisis can and are being driven from all corners of the world.”

He further bemoaned the fact that funding and just policies remain significant obstacles, highlighting the need for more equitable measures that do not penalise developing nations and more concessional climate financing.
“Despite their flourishing leadership, the global south’s efforts are being stymied, and this is also a fact. If you look, for example, at the pledges that were made, and look at the implementation of those pledges…if you look at the translation from pledges to actual financing, it is shocking,” the president highlighted.

Dr. Ali echoed Guyana’s strong support for the Bridgetown Initiative, piloted by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, which calls for a reform of the international financial architecture (IFA) that governs the way finance is disbursed for climate adaptation and mitigation.
“This is why we have long advocated for carbon pricing and elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, starting with the richest countries. We have also called for massive investments in clean and renewable energy globally. These are measures that will drive meaningful progress in decarbonising the global economy,” he said.