Georgetown, Guyana— Guyana’s international leadership on environmental protection is helping advance efforts to recognise the economic value of biodiversity and mobilise investment to protect nature, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said.
President Ali highlighted the growing international support for the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA), crediting Guyana’s environmental policies and sustained diplomatic engagement for helping build momentum behind the initiative.
Guyana will host the second Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit and Financing Forum on October 30 and 31 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Georgetown. More than 140 representatives from governments, communities and organisations are expected to participate.
The conference will be held under the theme “Investing in Nature: From Global Commitments to Practical Action.”
Guyana Promotes Global Cooperation on Biodiversity
President Ali said Guyana’s work through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its efforts to protect tropical forests have helped establish credibility for the country’s environmental leadership.
He recalled that when the Global Biodiversity Alliance was first proposed at the United Nations, some observers questioned whether such an initiative could attract broad international participation.
According to the President, the growing involvement of governments, scientists, academics, research institutions and businesses demonstrates the potential for biodiversity protection to become a shared global priority.
The alliance aims to bring different stakeholders together to develop practical approaches to conserving natural resources while supporting sustainable economic development.
Second Summit to Focus on Financing Nature
The upcoming summit will focus on turning international conservation commitments into projects backed by sustainable financing.
Discussions are expected to examine how governments and private investors can support biodiversity protection while enabling countries to pursue their economic and development objectives.
Potential financing mechanisms include green bonds, biodiversity bonds, carbon and biodiversity markets, blended finance and support from multilateral financial institutions.
The forum is also expected to explore the policies and partnerships needed to attract investment and expand conservation initiatives.
Linking Environmental Protection With Economic Development
President Ali argued that biodiversity should be recognised as an asset with measurable economic value, rather than treated solely as an environmental concern.
He said a viable financial framework is needed to generate sustained investment in protecting forests, ecosystems and other natural resources.
The approach seeks to balance conservation with economic growth, allowing biodiversity-rich countries to benefit from protecting their natural assets while improving opportunities for their populations.
Guyana intends to use its experience with forest conservation and climate-related financing to contribute to wider international discussions on this model.
Indigenous Communities, Science and Research in Focus
The summit will also highlight the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in protecting ecosystems and managing natural resources.
Youth participation, scientific monitoring and research partnerships are expected to feature prominently in discussions about how conservation programmes can be implemented and measured.
These areas are important to building reliable systems for monitoring biodiversity and ensuring that environmental investments deliver tangible results.
The gathering will also provide opportunities for governments, financial institutions, researchers and private-sector representatives to establish partnerships.
International Support for the Global Biodiversity Alliance Expands
President Ali said the initiative has attracted support from parts of the United Nations system, the United Kingdom, countries in Africa and research institutions across the Caribbean and Latin America.
India is also expected to join the alliance, potentially broadening its international reach.
The second summit follows the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance gathering held in Georgetown in July 2025, which established a platform for international cooperation on biodiversity protection and sustainable financing.
The upcoming meeting is expected to help advance the alliance’s work from broad commitments towards financing arrangements, practical projects and measurable conservation outcomes.
The visit of His Majesty King Charles III is also expected to complement the focus on environmental protection, given his longstanding public engagement with climate action and biodiversity conservation.