Dear Editor,
Permit me to extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, on being appointed Commonwealth Champion of Biodiversity at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda[1].
This is an extraordinary achievement for our President, our country, and, importantly, the generation of young Guyanese who will inherit the responsibility of protecting and developing this nation.
But I believe this recognition carries a much deeper political and historical significance. The PPP/C has established a remarkable continuity of environmental leadership across two generations.
We had Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, our former President and internationally recognised Champion of the Earth, whose vision challenged the world to recognise that keeping our forests standing should have economic value.
He pioneered the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), positioning Guyana as a global example of how environmental conservation and national development can coexist.
Today, we have President Dr. Irfaan Ali advancing that vision into a new frontier: biodiversity financing, international partnerships and the economic valuation of nature.
Jagdeo laid the foundation. Ali is expanding the vision. And the numbers tell a compelling story.
Under the LCDS, Guyana secured US$227 million in results-based payments from Norway between 2009 and 2015 for maintaining its forests.
Under the subsequent carbon-credit arrangements, Guyana has mobilised more than US$500 million, with the landmark Hess Corporation agreement committing at least US$750 million over its lifespan.[2]
More than 250 villages and communities are benefiting from over 3,000 projects involving livelihoods, infrastructure and essential services.
Think about what this means for our Indigenous and Amerindian communities, particularly those in the hinterland.
A minimum of 15% of forest-carbon revenues under the national framework is allocated directly to Amerindian communities, while the Hess agreement provides for 30% of its proceeds to support Amerindian development.
This is not simply environmental conservation. It is an opportunity to finance village infrastructure, improve agricultural production, develop community businesses, strengthen education, create employment and empower Indigenous communities to determine their own development priorities.
It means that the forests our Indigenous brothers and sisters have protected for generations can become an economic asset that helps finance their future.
And President Ali is taking this conversation even further.
Through the Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance, established in July 2025 with 17 founding members, membership has grown to 149 members[3], including major countries such as China, India, France and the United Arab Emirates.
That is a remarkable achievement for a country of our size. Guyana is no longer simply participating in international environmental conversations. We are helping to shape the global agenda.
Furthermore, the Commonwealth Nature Initiative, launched with an initial US$202.2 million in pledges[4], has created another opportunity to mobilise international financing for biodiversity protection, with an ambition to attract US$1 billion by 2030.
These are the kinds of international partnerships and financial mechanisms that can create opportunities far beyond the environmental sector.
Consider the possibilities for Guyana: ecotourism, biodiversity research, sustainable agriculture, conservation technology, scientific innovation, green entrepreneurship and thousands of potential jobs.
And this is particularly important for my generation.
We cannot inherit a country with extraordinary natural wealth and fail to understand its economic potential. Our forests, rivers, wildlife and ecosystems are not merely things to admire; they are assets that, when properly managed, can generate opportunities and prosperity for generations.
I also believe there is an important political lesson here.
For years, the PPP/C has pursued a development philosophy that recognises that economic growth and environmental protection need not be competing objectives.
Dr. Jagdeo established that philosophy internationally. President Ali is building on it, expanding its reach and pushing for the world to recognise that countries like Guyana must receive tangible economic returns for protecting resources that benefit humanity.
But let us be clear: international accolades, declarations and conference appearances must ultimately be measured by what they deliver at home.
The true measure of this leadership must be jobs created, investments attracted, infrastructure developed, communities empowered and improved living standards for ordinary Guyanese. And thankfully, we have seen all of this, funding transforming our country men and women.
Our Amerindian communities is seeing the benefits. Our hinterland youth are having opportunities. Our farmers are having better access to markets. Our entrepreneurs must find new avenues for investment. And our future generations will inherit an economy that is stronger because we protected and intelligently utilised our natural resources.
That is the real test of sustainable development.
As a young Guyanese, I take considerable pride in seeing two leaders from the same political movement help place our country on the international map for environmental leadership.
One generation gave us Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the Champion of the Earth. This generation now has President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Commonwealth Champion of Biodiversity.
Two generations of leadership. One continuing national vision. And a tremendous responsibility to ensure that the benefits reach every Guyanese. Congratulations once again, Mr. President.
Guyana’s natural wealth is a blessing, but the vision to transform that wealth into lasting prosperity is what will define our legacy.
The PPP/C is not simply building an economy for today. It is helping shape an economic model for generations to come.
Dr. Josh Kanhai, MBBS PGDip.
References
- Pres Ali appointed Commonwealth champion of biodiversity – Department of Public Information, Guyanadpi.gov.gy ↩
- FACT SHEET Guyana Sells Approximately 30% of its Forestry Credits under ART TREES to Hess Corporation for a minimum of US$750M December, 2022lcds.gov.gy ↩
- Global Biodiversity Alliance jumps from 17 to 138 members – President Ali tells UNkaieteurnewsonline.com ↩
- US$202 Million Commonwealth Nature Initiative Launched in Antigua and Barbuda to Support Protection of World’s Lands and Oceans by 2030 Target campaignfornature.org ↩
- Two generations, two global champions, one political movement! in Guyana Chronicle, November 6, 2026