U. S. discusses support for Guyana’s environmental sector

TIMES INT'L

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Monday met with U. S. Environmental Representative Alain Norman and U. S. Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Jeffrey S Barrus to explore the possibilities of American support for Guyana’s environmental sector.
The meeting explored the possibilities of support in the areas of technical assistance and environmental science. More specifically, there were several thematic areas that the minister and the U. S. representative discussed such as clean energy, and the management of waste, water, and protected areas.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Technical Officer (Environment) Ndibi Schwiers; U.S. Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Jeffrey S Barrus; Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud; U.S. Environmental Representative Alain Norman; and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Policy Planning and Coordination Unit head Veetal Rajkumar
Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Technical Officer (Environment) Ndibi Schwiers; U.S. Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Jeffrey S Barrus; Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud; U.S. Environmental Representative Alain Norman; and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Policy Planning and Coordination Unit head Veetal Rajkumar

Norman was very enthusiastic to learn about the progress Guyana has made in these areas. As such, the natural resources and environment minister highlighted initiatives, policies, and plans that the ministry has been recently involved in for the management of the environmental sector.
However, the minister indicated that there is a strong need to enhance capacity building in environmental management and the natural resources sector.
He also spoke of the importance of technology transfer for maximising recovery in the mining sector, mercury-free technology, and resource conversion.
Alain made reference to clean energy projects that Costa Rica has embarked upon while the minister alluded to the benefits that Guyana intends to receive from the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
Minister Persaud also pointed out that the Low Carbon Development Strategy is Guyana’s overarching national plan to promote economic growth and combat climate change, given the fact that more than 85 per cent of the country is covered in state forest. He identified that an area of interest is converting waste to energy technology using municipal solid waste, a challenged faced by the Georgetown municipality.
Minister Persaud took the opportunity to report on the progress that has been made to reduce the use of plastic and Styrofoam at the parliamentary level.
Alain indicated that there are companies in Costa Rica that are interested in bio thermal energy and he was willing to make recommendations for the companies to consider Guyana.

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