Guyana could become one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots – Jagdeo

Guyana continues to be a leader in the fight against climate change despite the limited progress being made against the phenomenon internationally. This was underscored by President Bharrat Jagdeo, who revealed that within the coming months, Guyana will set up two new protected areas – Shell Beach and the Kanuku Mountains.

The head of state made the announcement while addressing thousands gathered at the National Park for the flag-raising ceremony to mark Guyana’s 45th independence anniversary.

“Once this work is complete, it will bring us very close to having 12 per cent of our national territory as protected areas – on top of the efforts we are making in our rainforest. Few countries in the world can match this record,” he added.

According to him, this is an achievement that would remain unmatched by many nations.

Jagdeo, a climate change activist, is proud that, after just a few years of activism, Guyana is seen globally as a pathfinder for the world in climate change issues.

“We are leading the world in working out how to maintain the vast majority of our forest as a priceless global asset, while at the same time advancing the legitimate development aspirations of those who depend on it,” the president outlined. As such, he noted that Guyana is rejecting the pollutant development path that many industrialised countries have followed.

Future prosperity

He added that this country needs to ensure that its future prosperity is aligned with being one of the world’s few carbon positive nations.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo is adamant that Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy will continue to be advanced. He updated those gathered on the country’s collection of US$40 million as payment for eight million tonnes of carbon sequestered from Norway. This is described as one of the largest transactions of its kind in the world.

“We expect to receive in excess of a quarter of a billion dollars in similar transactions before 2015.” This, he said, will fund investments which will go towards the continued creation of the new economy, one that is powered by clean energy, connected by digital world-class infrastructure, and built on the productive use of our human, financial and natural capitals.

The Guyanese leader spoke, too, of one of the largest investments under the LCDS – the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which will deliver cheaper and cleaner energy for the majority of Guyanese citizens and businesses.

“This will transform our national competitiveness, and as the largest investment in the history of Guyana, it will demonstrate to the world that Guyana is able to attract foreign direct investment and use that investment to catalyse large scale, world class infrastructure programmes,” a proud Jagdeo said as he delivered his last Independence Day speech as president of Guyana.

The highly-touted initiative will almost eliminate Guyana’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation, making the country one of the top 20 clean energy economies in the world, the president stated.

But despite all these, Jagdeo believes that national progress should be built on foundations that recognise the importance of supporting individual advancement, and promoting social justice and solidarity for all.

“That is why we have chosen to provide universal free health care, free at the point of delivery, and based on need, not wealth. That is why our pensioners receive more assistance now than ever before. That is why we are distributing solar panels to 10,000 hinterland homes to enable them to access electricity for the first time ever,” he further stated.

Providing the opportunity for many Guyanese to own their own homes and increasing titling of Amerindian lands are also part of these efforts.

“Each of these decisions – from fibre-optic cable to Amaila, to our health system, to solar panels, to enabling greater house ownership – has empowered Guyanese citizens to take advantage of our national independence and create a better future.”