Guyana and the United Nations have reaffirmed their shared commitments to integrating biodiversity considerations into national development planning and sustainable investment frameworks with the signing of a Declaration of Intent (DOI).
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau inked the agreement on Monday May 18, 2026, during a ceremony hosted by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
The DOI officially formalised the UN participation in the Global Biodiversity Alliance, marking an important step in strengthening cooperation on biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, climate resilience and global knowledge exchange.
President Irfaan Ali underscored that the partnership reflects Guyana’s long-standing commitment to responsible stewardship of its forests, biodiversity and natural resources.
He further explained that the signing by the United Nations on to the Global Biodiversity Alliance, led by Guyana, is a powerful affirmation that biodiversity protection and the sustainable management of natural resources must remain central to global development.
UN Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau stated that The United Nations is pleased to have join the initiative, and that it is closely aligned with the world’s shared objectives of sustainable development goals (SDGs) while championing South-South cooperation.
The agreement also emphasises the importance of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in biodiversity conservation, recognising their knowledge and stewardship as essential to sustainable environmental management.
The partnership is expected to strengthen coordination, data-sharing and biodiversity action under the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while supporting Guyana’s continued role in global climate and biodiversity diplomacy.