By Josiah Williams | December 6, 2024
President Irfaan Ali has been honored with the prestigious Wilson Centre Latin America Award in recognition of his significant contributions to biodiversity and climate change efforts.
The award was presented to him during a gala ceremony held in Miami, Florida, on Thursday evening.
The award acknowledges President Ali’s leadership in environmental sustainability, particularly in protecting Guyana’s vast forests and promoting climate action.
During his speech, the President expressed his gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the importance of sustainable economic models that support both environmental conservation and the prosperity of the people.
He underscored the need for innovative approaches that place value on biodiversity and standing forests, advocating for market mechanisms and pricing strategies to ensure their preservation.
In addition, President Ali announced that Guyana would host the first Global Biodiversity Summit next year and aim to establish the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
This initiative is part of Guyana’s broader efforts to safeguard its rich biodiversity, which is among the highest in the world, even as global biodiversity continues to decline.
The award ceremony also emphasized Guyana’s partnership with former Colombian President Ivan Duque and the Concordia organization to pilot the biodiversity alliance.
President Ali’s vision aligns with Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which has successfully integrated forest protection with carbon credit trading, creating both environmental and financial benefits.
Through his leadership, President Ali continues to advocate for global action on climate change, positioning Guyana as a key player in international environmental and sustainability discussions.