President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday officially launched the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) in partnership with regional member states, conservationists, researchers and financiers at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC).Known as the “Georgetown Declaration,” the signatories committed to advancing efforts to support the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – an international agreement adopted in 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.The secretariat will be based in Guyana, which has allocated a team to ensure that the work of the alliance is implemented through its members.“Guyana has agreed that we’re going to host the Secretariat here, we’re going to put the resources to host the Secretariat here to follow-up the work of this Alliance and conference,” President Ali stated.The initiative was lauded by the delegates during a plenary session hosted ahead of the signing.President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader in his remarks noted that the eco-system of small islands are fragile. Therefore, he said “we need a thriving force of real robust financial solutions that ensure equity for countries of the global south and in particular, small island developing states.”He added that biodiversity is the foundation of food security, health and economic well-being.Similar sentiments were expressed by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley who noted that the issues faced by the planet cannot be addressed without addressing climate and biodiversity and pollution all at the same time.“Those of us therefore who live this reality in the region, have come to understand that while we will argue strongly internationally, we must act even stronger locally. Today is an example of such local action,” she highlighted.Belize Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, in his address said while there is shared responsibility to safeguard biodiversity, support livelihood, and build resilience, “we need more implementation agencies that are Caribbean, that feel what we feel, that know our culture, that understand the needs and can see the gaps that need to be filled for since.”He referred to collaborations which existed following the 9-1-1 tragedy, the tsunami of 2004, and COVID-19.“Our ambition must be matched by solidarity. Our efforts must be underpinned by coordinated regional platforms, strengthened institutions, and inclusive governance,” he noted.Each delegate also highlighted the systems they have in place to combat climate change and improve the livelihoods of their indigenous peoples and those affected by climate issues. These measures include establishing authorities, expanding conservation zones, increasing investments in biodiversity programmes and more.The GBA leverages the unique strengths of its members to implement innovative solutions that effectively conserve biodiversity and mitigate environmental degradation. It will look at financing for nature-based enterprises, supporting community-driven finance models that place Indigenous leadership at the centre, piloting biodiversity credits that reward stewardship, and expand debt-for-nature swaps modeled by Guyana’s experience.Delegates were invited to deliver remarks highlighting their achievements, challenges and opportunities within their countries relating to biodiversity protection.The document was signed by President Ali, President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Former President of the Republic of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez, Chief Executive Officer of Conservation International (CI) Dr. M. Sanjayan, Managing Director of the Yale University’s Center for Biodiversity and Global Change Dr. Alexander Killion, Executive Director of Frankfurt Zoological Society Dr. Christof Schenck, Senior Director of the Keller Science Action Centre Dr. Erin Hagen, Director of the Campaign for Nature Dr. Brian O’Donnell, Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Derrick John, Macushi Conservation Leader of the South Rupununi Conservation Society Leroy Ignacio, Vice President of the Republic of Ecuador María José Pinto, Principal Executive for Ecosystems and biodiversity for the Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean Mauricio Velásquez, Head of Origination EMEA, Environmental Products, Mercuria/ Silvania.The post Guyana launches Global Biodiversity Alliance appeared first on News Room Guyana.