President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has called for a new approach to global biodiversity conservation, urging countries to introduce fiscal incentives and innovative financing mechanisms that would make protecting nature an economically rewarding investment.
The President made the appeal on Friday while delivering the opening address at the Second Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) Summit at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where he challenged participating countries to move beyond international declarations and focus on practical measures that translate conservation commitments into tangible economic benefits.
Addressing hundreds of delegates, President Ali said the Alliance must establish a framework that connects investment, innovation and scientific research with meaningful environmental protection and sustainable development.
He emphasised that the gathering should serve as a platform for developing actionable solutions rather than simply another international forum for discussing environmental challenges.
Held under the theme “Investing in Nature: Accelerating Biodiversity Finance for Sustainable Development”, the summit is focusing on ways to mobilise financial resources and create economic opportunities for countries and communities committed to protecting their natural environments.
President Ali outlined his vision for the next 12 months, identifying stronger links between scientific knowledge, innovation, financing and practical conservation projects as key priorities. He said the Alliance must identify development gaps associated with biodiversity and establish clear mechanisms to address them.
As part of Guyana’s contribution, the President announced a commitment to conserve one million hectares of forest specifically for biodiversity protection. The initiative is expected to support scientific research, sustainable livelihoods, responsible investment and new economic opportunities.
He also pointed to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as an example of how environmental protection can be linked to economic development. Through its carbon-credit arrangements with Norway and the international community, Guyana has mobilised more than US$500 million since the initiative was conceptualised.
According to the President, the programme has also generated benefits at the community level, with more than 3,000 community-led projects supporting local development and livelihoods.
Beyond government initiatives, President Ali identified the private sector as an important partner in closing the global biodiversity financing gap. He said collaboration could unlock opportunities in tourism, medicine, scientific research, innovative financing and other industries connected to the sustainable use of natural resources.
He specifically proposed the creation of a joint investment vehicle involving private-sector representatives from GBA member countries to develop biodiversity resorts across participating destinations.
Under the proposed model, the resorts would be marketed internationally under a single brand, supported by shared values, common regulations and a unified marketing platform. The initiative, he said, could generate investment while creating employment and business opportunities for villages and local communities.
The President stressed that philanthropy and international commitments alone would not be sufficient to meet the financial requirements of global conservation. Countries protecting significant natural resources must have access to financing arrangements that recognise the economic value of their environmental contributions.
Another major announcement was the planned construction of the Global Biodiversity Alliance’s permanent headquarters in Georgetown. The design was unveiled during the summit, with the facility expected to accommodate the Secretariat and serve as a centre for research, learning and coordination of the Alliance’s international activities.
The architectural concept was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Qatar Foundation and The King’s Foundation.
President Ali said establishing a permanent headquarters and Secretariat would provide the institutional foundation needed to advance the Alliance’s work and ensure that commitments made by member countries translate into measurable action.
Established in July 2025 with 17 founding members, the GBA has expanded to 149 members, including major countries such as China, India, France, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and Panama. The Desert Vipers have also joined as the first global sports team to become part of the initiative.
The expanding membership reflects the Alliance’s efforts to bring governments and other international partners together around a shared approach to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.