The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and interests, and development of the nation’s Indigenous peoples.
According to an APA release yesterday, this came out of a meeting on Wednesday with Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and the Ministry’s Parliamentary Secretary, Sarah Brown, to discuss ways in which the association could further support the development of Indigenous peoples in Guyana.
Representing the APA at the meeting were its President, Lemmel Benson Thomas; Executive Director, Jean La Rose; Policy Officer, Sharon Atkinson; Governance and Rights Co-Ordinator, Laura George; and GIS Specialist and Forest Policy Officer, Michael McGarrell.
The release also stated that during the discussions which took place in the Ministry’s boardroom, the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary were provided with an overview of the priority areas of work for the organisation. These included collaborations over the past five years with the Rainforest Foundation US, with NORAD funding; the Tenure Facility; the Nia Tero Foundation; Forest Peoples Programme, with NICFI funding; and IUCN Ecuador, with EU funding.
A written submission containing a description of each project, as well as the efforts of the organisation in supporting Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, was also presented to the Minister.
Sukhai noted that she has been following the activities of the organisation and looks forward to “future collaborations with the APA for the continued development of Indigenous Peoples across Guyana.”
As a rights advocacy group, the APA pledged to continue its work to support political administrations in ensuring that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are protected, that the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent is respected. It also committed to continue its advocacy for Indigenous peoples to be given spaces for effective participation and inclusion in decision-making at the national level.
“We will continue our work on ensuring that projects, legislation and policy (that) are developed make lasting contributions to the furtherance of democracy in Guyana and the sustainable development of the interior will reduce the proliferation of conflicts around land and natural resources and enhance the platform for Guyana’s leadership on global climate action,” the release added.
