Prime Minister Mark Phillips underscored Guyana’s commitment to prioritising mangrove restoration as part of climate change and coastal management strategies during the launch of the $60 million Mangrove Centre located at NAREI in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
During the Centre’s opening on Friday, a release from his office said that Phillips emphasised the importance of Guyana’s mangroves as a global asset.
“Guyana’s mangroves are a global asset. Mangroves, with their unique ecosystem and unparalleled ecological significance, play a vital role in mitigating climate change… By conserving and protecting our mangroves, we actively contribute to global efforts, striving to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, he said.
Despite its contentions, the government has allowed large swathes of mangroves to be destroyed to enable the oil and gas industry.
Highlighting the vulnerability of Guyana’s low-lying coastline, the Prime Minister cited the need for a dual strategy of using natural mangroves and engineered sea defences to enhance climate resilience.
“This green-grey infrastructure approach to securing our coastline by combining hard ‘engineered’ sea defences with the restoration, conservation, and management of mangroves is a strategy that provides climate resilience for vulnerable coastal communities”, the PM said.
He highlighted Guyana’s restoration of over 500 hectares of mangroves across various regions.
The release said that Phillips announced that “investments will be made to train and support the establishment of sustainable businesses.”
He said that the first initiative involves expanding beekeeping in mangroves through a partnership with Cuban beekeeping experts and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority.
According to the Prime Minister, as the natural regeneration of mangroves transforms the seawall along the Georgetown coastline, the Government of Guyana, through the Mangrove Management Action Network, which is expected to be launched soon, will integrate mangroves into the landscape, ensuring recreational space for all.
He credited the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development and the Exxon Foundation for their collaboration in delivering the first-of-its-kind Mangrove Centre. He also cited partnerships with the European Union, Conservation International-Guyana, the University of Guyana, and USAID.
He urged all Guyanese to champion the preservation of these invaluable ecosystems.
“As we inaugurate the Mangrove Centre, a symbol of our commitment to environmental stewardship, I call upon every Guyanese to take pride in preserving these invaluable ecosystems. Together, let us ensure a legacy of environmental harmony and prosperity for generations to come”, he stated.
The release said that the initiative forms part of a collaboration with the Guyana Conservation Initiative, facilitated by Iwokrama and funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation.
