PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, recently met with an executive team from the Wilson Centre to explore opportunities for collaboration between Guyana and the renowned US-based think tank.
The discussion focused on key areas such as food and climate security, tourism, and financial technologies.

The meeting, led by Dr. Benjamin Gedan, the Director of the Latin America Programme at the Wilson Centre, also saw the participation of several high-ranking government officials.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd; and Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, were all present for the talks.

The Wilson Centre, located in Washington, D.C., is a respected nonpartisan policy forum and research institution. It is dedicated to addressing global challenges through dialogue between scholars and policymakers, with a focus on fostering solutions to complex international issues.
The discussions are expected to pave the way for deeper co-operation between Guyana and the Wilson Centre in areas that are vital to the country’s sustainable development.

Last December, Dr. Ali, who has been Guyana’s voice on the international stage for this and other crucial issues, was awarded by Wilson Centre’s Latin America Programme for his efforts in environmental and biodiversity sustainability as well as climate action.
Guyana has been a vocal advocate for the establishment of a global market mechanism to enhance the value of carbon credits, and leverage them as a significant revenue source.

This call is rooted in the country’s proactive efforts to monetise its vast forest resources, which serve as vital carbon sinks, while promoting sustainable development and combating climate change.
At international fora like COP28, Guyana had urged world leaders to advance discussions on Article Six of the Paris Agreement, which pertains to market mechanisms for carbon trading.

A robust global framework could stabilise carbon credit prices and incentivise greater participation from both buyers and sellers. This has been a recurring call by Guyana at different fora across the world.
Guyana is being guided by its Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which is an expanded and renewed framework for the country’s sustainable development through the year 2030. This strategy builds upon the original LCDS launched in 2009.