Guyana to advance market-based reward mechanism for standing forests-at Bali Climate Change Conference

Georgetown, GINA, December 7, 2007

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud before leaving for the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change being held in Bali, Indonesia, reiterated the administration’s position on the global issue.
            Minister Persaud during his presentation yesterday in the National Assembly said incentives for the country’s standing forests will be among the major proposals to be put forward by Guyana at the Conference being held from December 3 to 14.
            He said members of the House are aware of the tremendous developments that are taking place in the climate arena and the principal cause for global warming which is greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere.
            The Minister explained that persons must understand that Guyana’s standing forests continue to act as a carbon sink for greenhouse gas emissions, and provide an ecological service to the world.
            The Kyoto Protocol was crafted to reward those countries which have cut down their forests through the provision of incentives to replant. Countries, like Guyana which manage their forests in a responsible way and have avoided deforesting, are not rewarded for doing so by the Kyoto regime.
            “Mr, Speaker, it is against this backdrop that Guyana is presenting a proposal that calls for a market-based mechanism to reward us for the environmental services provided by our standing forest. At the Bali summit, we are advancing this proposal to ensure that in any post-Kyoto framework there is an effective market-based arrangement for the carbon sink ability of standing forest resources, including Guyana’s,” Minister Persaud explained.
            The Agriculture Minister used the opportunity to dispel rumours that Guyana will be selling its forest.
            “This proposal will not impinge on our sovereignty. Not a single hectare of our forest will be sold. There is no plan to either relinquish our forests or alienate our local foresters and communities. We will continue forestry and mining activities in a sustainable manner,” Minister Persaud disclosed.
            During the COP Guyana will also be advocating stronger support for adaptation measures, improvements in the technology transfer and a negotiated post-Kyoto agreement by the end of 2009.
            President Bharrat Jagdeo who announced Guyana’s position has already started bilateral and multi-lateral engagements on the country’s proposal, which according to Minister Persuad is promising.
            “The response has been encouraging. The just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit issued its Lake Victoria Climate Change Action Plan in which it is stated, inter alia: “Support for improved land use management, including conservation and sustainable use of forest resources. This should comprise marker-based mechanism and compensatory measures for the standing forests,” Minister Persaud explained to the House.
            Government has ensured that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) developed a Code of Practice, other relevant guidelines and legislations for foresters.
The GFC has been encouraged to practice sustainable forest management principles, and to maintain more than 80 percent of the forests in an intact state, while deriving a significant revenue stream from forestry operations.
Meanwhile, over the years, the administration has undertaken several activities to help in mitigation efforts and adaptation to climate change in Guyana.

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