Guyana’s LCDS recognised at Delhi Sustainable Development Summit

Nobel Prize laureate and Director General of the Energy and Research Institute (TERI), Dr R K Pachauri and head of the Climate Change Unit here, Shyam Nokta discussing Guyana’s LCDS in New Delhi, India

Following the recently concluded two-day Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, Guyana can say that it has benefited significantly from the interactive sessions geared at understanding and appreciating efforts made by several countries in their fight against climate change. Guyana participated in the 11th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS), in the Indian capital of New Delhi, from February 3-5 at the Hotel Taj Palace.

The summit, held under the theme, ‘Tapping local initiatives and Tackling Global Inertia’, saw several presentations by it’s participants, illustrating the efforts made by their respective countries to fight climate change.

In giving his opening address, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, said: “While we focus on specific actions related to dealing with climate change, we have to be guided by the overall imperative of moving global society in the direction of sustainability in growth and development. I am optimistic that this august gathering will not only highlight India’s role as a responsible and enlightened member of the international community, but will also contribute towards finding a solution to the global challenge which impacts humanity as a whole”. Guyana was represented by the head of the Climate Change Unit, Shyam Nokta, who presented a piece on ‘Innovative Policies for Sustainable Development.’

Shyam Nokta (extreme left) and other panellists at the summit

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which has been commended internationally, was the focus of Nokta’s presentation. He stressed that Guyana has made significant strides through its innovative approach to addressing forests and climate change on the whole, while promoting low carbon development. This, he said, also serves as a model for other tropical forest countries.

Guyana was invited to participate by Nobel Prize laureate and Director General of the Energy and Research Institute (TERI), Dr R K Pachauri.

The DSDS is organised annually by TERI since 2001, and is an international undertaking that provides a platform for exchange of knowledge and debate on all aspects of sustainable development. Over the past ten years, it has emerged as one of the most important forums on global sustainability issues, with a focus on developing world solutions. DSDS 2011 examined the vital importance of local initiatives throughout the world in creating a momentum towards building a sustainable future.

DSDS 2011 is a unique platform for showcasing examples of local initiatives that successfully address the planet’s most pressing problems. The summit gathered leaders and innovators from politics, NGOs, corporations, academia, and other stakeholders to work and focus together on the all-important need to find a way to turn these examples of local initiatives into global momentum. The closing session of the summit was addressed by Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Dr RK Pachauri. Other speakers at the summit included President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, and President James Alix Michel of the Seychelles.