GUYANA is exploring opportunities to strengthen international cooperation on biodiversity conservation through potential engagement with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), following discussions between Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Dharamkumar Seeraj, and the alliance’s Director General, Shri S.P. Yadav.
The discussions took place during a courtesy visit by Yadav to the Guyana High Commission in New Delhi, where High Commissioner Seeraj was accompanied by Counsellor Mrs Ronalda Edwards-Horatio.
The meeting focused on Guyana’s possible involvement in the IBCA and areas for closer collaboration in wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
The IBCA is a flagship global initiative of the Government of India that brings together countries within the natural ranges of the world’s seven big cat species — the lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. The alliance seeks to advance conservation through international cooperation, knowledge sharing, capacity building and mutual support.
During the engagement, High Commissioner Seeraj highlighted Guyana’s Global Biodiversity Alliance, noting that the two initiatives share a common vision and have complementary objectives aimed at encouraging collective action to protect the world’s natural heritage.
He underscored Guyana’s position that sustainable development and environmental conservation are mutually reinforcing, with effective conservation measures contributing to stronger ecosystems, improved livelihoods, greater resilience and global efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Guyana, which is home to extensive forests and a wide range of wildlife, has continued to promote international cooperation as part of its broader environmental and sustainable development agenda.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of global partnerships in safeguarding biodiversity and advancing a more sustainable and resilient future.