Guyana’s credentials as global leader on environment unquestionable – Head of State

– national interest tied to international cooperation to address adverse effects of climate change

– adherence to Paris Agreement affirmation of interest in slowing rising global temperatures

– Iwokrama hailed as int’l model for conservation and sustainable forest management

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, August 18, 2018

Guyana will continue contributing to global efforts aimed at eliminating climate change threats and to pursue international cooperation in environmental protection, as the government advances the ‘green’ state.

This was asserted by President David Granger as he addressed the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR) 20th Biennial Delegates Conference yesterday.

“Guyana is in transition to becoming a ‘green’ state. The ‘green’ state is a comprehensive developmental model which places emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of the use of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation,” the president said.

The government, in understanding the risks climate change poses, President Granger assured, will not ignore the evidence of the daily damage it causes on Guyana’s coastal zone as well as frequent flooding in the hinterland and other extreme meteorological events.

Adherence to the Paris Agreement on climate change was described as an affirmation of the country’s interest in slowing the rise in global temperatures. The president expressed confidence that Guyana’s credentials as a global leader for the environment are unquestionable.

“Our national interest is tied to international cooperation and collaboration to address the adverse effects of climate change,” he said, pointing to his participation in several international forums.

These include the 22nd Session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Marrakesh, Morocco; the Third United Nations Environment Assembly, in Nairobi, Kenya; the First Conference of Parties to the Minamata Convention, in Geneva, Swiss Confederation; the Eighth World Water Forum, in Brasilia, Brazil; the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, in New Delhi, India; and the Sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility, in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development was hailed as an international model for conservation and sustainable forest management.

The ‘green’ state will see the expansion of the protected areas system by an additional two million hectares.

President Granger posited that it will also “harness biomass, hydro/solar/wind sources of energy. Agricultural waste will be converted into biomass energy.  Hydroelectric stations will tap energy from rapids, rivers and waterfalls; wind farms will generate energy along our extensive coastline and in other places.”

The Green State Development Strategy (GSDS), which provides the roadmap to the ‘green’ state, the president said, will help to boost production, enhance food security, promote value-added manufacturing, graduate Guyana towards becoming a digital nation through the use of ICT and to develop ‘green’ sectors.

“The ‘green’ state will improve sanitation and safety. It will protect our land and rivers by ending the reckless disposal of waste and eliminate the use of mercury and single-use plastics,” he added.

By: Stacy Carmichael

Image: Keno George