Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday officially endorsed the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action, which he said aligns with the Government of Guyana’s commitment to securing a sustainable future for its children and youth.
A release from the Prime Minister’s office said that the signing ceremony was observed to mark the occasion of World Children’s Day. It was organised by UNICEF Guyana in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady and was held at State House in Georgetown.
During the feature address, the Prime Minister said that Guyana fully embraces the principles of acting in the best interest of the child.
“We understand that our children are not just inheritors of our legacy; they will become the architects of our future. In recognising their vulnerability, we pledge to take concrete actions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, creating a resilient environment that safeguards their well-being”, he said.
The Prime Minister noted that Guyana recognises the vulnerability of children when it comes to natural disasters and other extreme weather events and pointed out that it is the nation’s responsibility to shield its children from these environmental threats and formulate plans to enhance their lives.
According to the release, he added that the Government has begun to take tangible measures to reduce the effects of climate change while highlighting Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as a key part of these efforts. “The LCDS is our roadmap towards a sustainable and equitable future.”
Meanwhile, the release said that First Lady Arya Ali called for investments to protect the planet and safeguard the future of all children.
UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Country Representative Nicolas Pron praised the signing of the declaration as a historic event for UNICEF and Guyanese children.
