Prime Minister Mark Phillips officially endorsed the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action, aligning with the Government of Guyana’s commitment to securing a sustainable future for its children and youth.
The signing ceremony, held on World Children’s Day, marks Guyana’s entry among the 42 countries advocating for children’s rights and climate action.
The Children, Youth, and Climate Action declaration emphasize the importance of considering children’s rights, needs, and perspectives in climate policies.
With Guyana joining this global initiative, the government underscores its dedication to safeguarding the planet and simultaneously protecting the economy.
During the signing ceremony at State House, First Lady Arya Ali commended the initiative, emphasizing the pivotal role it plays in safeguarding the planet and securing the future for children.
She noted that while significant progress has been made to promote and protect children’s rights, more needs to be done, urging continued investments to protect the planet and ensure the well-being of future generations.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated the government’s successes and ongoing efforts to address children’s rights and protection through sustainable climate actions.
He emphasized the commitment to concrete actions that mitigate the impacts of climate change, creating a resilient environment that safeguards the well-being of children and youth, as enshrined in Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.
Nicola Pron, the Country Representative for UNICEF of Guyana and Suriname, highlighted the significance of the declaration as a milestone in staying committed to children’s rights and protection.
Guyana became the 42nd country globally to sign the declaration, which was crafted by young people worldwide, outlining their top objectives for climate action.
The declaration calls on states to consider children’s special needs, rights, and perspectives in their climate policies and actions at all levels.
Guyana’s endorsement reflects its dedication to a sustainable and inclusive approach to addressing climate challenges for the well-being of current and future generations.