As Guyana continues to forge ahead with its Green State initiative, it is looking to capitalise on the strengthened diplomatic relations to tap into strategies adopted by its Asian counterparts, aimed at fighting the effects of climate change.
This was revealed by President David Granger on Wednesday morning as he accredited new diplomats from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Thailand, with the acceptance of their Letters of Credence at State House.
The new Pakistani High Commissioner, Najm Us Saqib, said his country is looking to deepening relations with South American and Caribbean nations including Guyana, which offer opportunities for both countries to explore and gain from each other’s best practices.
“Pakistan considers Guyana as an important country in the Region and would wish to strengthen bilateral relations in our States. Pakistan and Guyana have friendly relations and it is our desire that these relations should be strengthened in all fields including trade, agriculture, health, IT (Information Technology), investments and joint ventures… As High Commissioner of Pakistan (to Guyana), it would be my honest endeavour to work towards these objectives,” the Pakisanti Diplomat stated.
Meanwhile, President Granger noted that Guyana looks forward to strengthening its 50-year-old relations with Pakistan in the areas outlined by the new High Commissioner. However, he posited that Guyana is particularly interested in working with the Asian country to advance policies which will arrest the adverse effects of climate change and promote green growth.
“Guyana is moving towards the establishment of a Green State, one that would place emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our bio-diversity, promotion of energy from renewable sources and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation,” he outlined.
To this end, the Head of State noted that Guyana is happy to learn that the Ministry of Climate Change in Pakistan has started a project with the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency titled ‘Geomatic Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development.’
“That project encourages application of Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Geographical Positioning System (GPS) technologies in environmental monitoring and decision-making. Guyana looks forward to learn about the application of these technologies from Pakistan,” he stated.
On the other hand, the Head of State posited that Guyana is also looking forward to joining forces with the Kingdom of Thailand to tackle climate change.
“Guyana and Thailand both face the common threats of climate change. Both countries are taking actions to improve climate adaptation and mitigation. The agriculture and fisheries sectors of both countries are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. We could learn from each other’s experience in building climate resilience economies,” President Granger stated.
On this note, the newly accredited Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Thailand, Surasak Suparat, committed to deepen diplomatic ties between the two countries, which were first established some 31 years ago.
The two newly accredited diplomats are non-residence appointments and are both based in neighbouring Brazil.
