-Ali says at Amazonas Summit
President Irfaan Ali has committed to doubling Guyana’s legally protected areas within the next 18 months to achieve the nation’s goal of protecting 30 per cent of the land by 2030, as outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
Ali made the pledge during a meeting on Wednesday with diverse leaders on Guyana’s sustainability and climate agenda at the opening of the 2024 Concordia Amazonas Summit on Baganara Island Resort situated on the Essequibo River.
During his address at the event, the president emphasised the need to integrate biodiversity into the global agenda, highlighting an ambitious plan to unite biodiversity-rich countries and develop a scalable model for environmental protection. He noted that this initiative will facilitate international cooperation, innovative funding solutions, and environmentally conscious growth.
Further, Ali stressed that the country’s commitment to protecting 30 per cent of its land by 2030, is crucial for climate goals, citing the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s guidelines. Currently, approximately 9 per cent of Guyana is under protected and/or conservation status. He also touched on the importance of a collective approach to ensuring climate, food, and energy security, stating that climate, energy, and food security must be a joint and shared agenda.
In his presentation, Ali highlighted Guyana’s energy and climate future, noting that the country is well-equipped to contribute to the global goal of producing 30 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2050. He further pointed out that Guyana’s vast rainforest has the ability to extract carbon from the atmosphere at a rate of 155 million tonnes per year.
The summit, which commenced on July 9 and will conclude today, brought together leaders from various sectors and industries related to the Amazon rainforest and its future. The event focused on environmental sustainability and financial inclusion.
The President also announced that Guyana will soon become a member of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), solidifying its commitment to regional economic cooperation and development. This was also reaffirmed by former Colombian president, Iván Duque, who chaired the summit.
