By Vishani Ragobeer in Belém, BrazilVishani@newsroom.gyThe United Nations’ climate talks this year, COP30, got underway in Belém, Brazil, on Thursday, with Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali urging fellow world leaders to turn their grand speeches into meaningful actions as his country has already done.As he questioned why “extreme” views and empty talks hinder critical climate action, the President highlighted solutions already presented by Guyana and regional partners, Brazil and Barbados.For its part, Guyana has long championed the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It was a pioneering venture in 2009 between then-Guyanese President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and Norway’s Minister of Environment, Erik Solheim, which saw US$250 million come to Guyana in exchange for conserving its vast rainforest. It was one of the world’s first forest-saving initiatives.More than 15 years later, the strategy is the foundation of Guyana’s developmental efforts- demonstrating the country’s focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable development even as it balances nascent oil and gas production. It has also been expanded, and again, Guyana leads the way with its efforts to earn from standing forests, now extended to the sale of carbon credits.That’s not all. The President highlighted that Guyana now leads global conversations on biodiversity and ecosystem services. None of those efforts, he said, were simple. The Guyanese Head of State believes that Guyana, the tiny South American nation of less than one million people, is committed to solving the climate crisis in partnership with others.“Let our words be followed by actions,” President Ali told the plenary room filled with world leaders scheduled to make their COP30 speeches.Not shy to make suggestions, the President outlined three priority areas crucial in the fight against the climate crisis.President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at COP28 in Belém, Brazil (Photo: José Cheddi/ Office of the President/ November 6, 2025)First, he said the energy transition must be accelerated as countries continue to work towards becoming energy secure. The data and artificial intelligence industry chomps down on huge amounts of energy, and as countries seek to embrace the digital revolution, President Ali said renewable sources of power must be hurriedly embraced. He reiterated Guyana’s call for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and called for support for carbon pricing ventures, initiatives meant to incentivise transitioning to renewable power sources.As was expected, his second priority area was support for the forest agenda. Guyana, through its LCDS, has shown how forest conservation can be supported. In addition, with this COP taking place in Brazil’s Amazon, the rich rainforest shared with Guyana, Suriname, and other South American nations, President Ali demanded much more attention on planet Earth’s lungs.“Forests cannot be an afterthought; they cannot be a negotiated item. The world must now act on all financial options to boost forest conservation,” he said.Finally, the President called on all parties to expand funding for climate adaptation so that countries are better able to minimise the impacts of extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis. That call comes just after fellow Caribbean nations, like Jamaica, were hit by Hurricane Melissa and now face the long road to recovery.The three priority areas are not just nice topics to talk about, but, according to President Ali, crucial areas for the survival of the planet. Therefore, his call for the speeches to translate to meaningful actions was a call for leaders to take seriously the need to save lives.The post At COP30, President Ali says ‘words must be followed by action’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.