Time to Think! Regional Consultation for Region 4 – June 16, 2018  Guyana’s Green State Development Strategy

The Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency, in collaboration with the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) Coordinating Office/UN Environment, is pleased to announce the upcoming regional consultations for the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).  The objective of the consultations is to raise awareness of the GSDS and to ensure that the people of Guyana can participate and contribute to the development of the GSDS by identifying and prioritizing their regional needs and expectations. The consultations will ensure participation of citizens, as required under the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. These consultations are hosted by the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and convened in collaboration with the Ministry of Communities (MOC) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MOIPA), with support from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

“Time to Think, Time to Decide, Time to Act” is the slogan used in promoting the GSDS process. During consultations all Guyanese will be encouraged to think, discuss and to communicate their ideas and vision on how Guyana should be developed economically and sustainably over the 20-year GSDS time frame. Participants will also learn about the “Framework of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy and Financial Mechanisms” – a document developed through a similar consultation process in 2017 and approved by the Government of Guyana that has established key sectoral and thematic priorities of the GSDS.

The next consultation will be held in Soesdyke at St. Mary’s Primary School on Saturday June 16, 2018; the meeting will commence at 10:00 h and conclude at 16:00 h.

The GSDS consultations are being conducted across Guyana’s 10 regions and have already begun in Regions Four and Five in La Bonne Intention, Moraikobai, Bush Lot and Providence. Guyanese nationals, representatives of public/private sector and civil society groups are encouraged to come out, share their opinions and make their voice count.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Department oversees the activities of environmental compliance and management, protected areas development and management, national parks management and wildlife conservation and protection and has supervisory powers over the Environmental Protection Agency, Protected Areas Commission/National Parks Commission and the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission.

For more information, contact: Tel: +592 223-6313-4 Ext. 108

Email:            ddoe.motp@gmail.com       |           Website:        www.motp.gov.gy             |           Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeptEnv/

About the GSDS Coordinating Office/UN Environment

The Coordinating Office of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) is operated by UN Environment and is located at the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency in Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana. The Coordinating Office also serves as the Secretariat to the Inter-Ministerial and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee, established to ensure effective consultations and contributions to the GSDS from public and private sector agencies, civil society groups and the people of Guyana. Contact the GSDS Coordinating Office at: +592 226-4040 (Ext. 273) or via email to:

guyana.gsds.2018@gmail.com