Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rainforest Trust, Dr James C Deutsch, has announced a collective pledge of US$12.5 million from four charitable organisations to support Guyana’s conservation efforts through the Global Biodiversity Alliance, an initiative led by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
The announcement was made on Friday during the Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal.
“Guyana has an extraordinary opportunity to secure a future where nature thrives and communities flourish. On behalf of the Bezos Earth Fund, Andy’s Amazon Fund, Nia Tero, and Rainforest Trust, I’m delighted to announce a collective pledge of US$12.5 million. A very small down payment to help bring that future to life,” Dr Deutsch stated.
He welcomed President Ali’s ambition to permanently protect 1.5 million hectares of the Akarai-Rupununi Corridor, recognising it as a significant opportunity to support conservation alongside other priorities across Guyana.
Dr Deutsch explained that the pledge would help advance Guyana’s commitment to conserving 30 per cent of its land and waters by 2030.
He also noted that philanthropic partners have expressed interest in supporting long-term financing arrangements to sustain conservation efforts, strengthen the institutions responsible for managing protected areas and empower indigenous peoples and local communities as key partners.
Dr Deutsch said the commitment is expected to encourage sustained public sector investment and attract further philanthropic support towards protecting Guyana’s natural heritage.
He highlighted Rainforest Trust’s contribution to global conservation, noting that the organisation has helped protect more than 70 million acres of critical habitat worldwide, including 10 million acres within the past eight months.
Dr Deutsch emphasised that the financial commitment is conditional on legally enforceable, permanent protection of the Akarai-Rupununi Corridor against mining and other activities incompatible with conservation.
The CEO further stressed that conservation efforts must uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples, including free, prior and informed consent.