Climate change to be centre of key

Guyana will today virtually host a Group of 77+ China ministerial and technical meeting which will highlight initiatives aimed at combatting climate change.

“As Chair of the Group, Guyana has outlined some very practical objectives for the meeting, namely to provide a space for awareness, partnership- building, knowledge- sharing, and learning lessons, among the G-77 and China membership on climate action , amidst the COVID-19 crisis, while recovering towards the 2030 Agenda and to reinforce the G77 and China’s position on key issues in the Climate Change discussion, including climate finance and ecosystem-based approaches, while also contributing to maximizing the ( UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) co-benefits,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd told a press conference last Friday to discuss plans ahead of the virtual October 29th-30th event.

The Group of 77 ( G- 77) was established on 15 June 1964 by seventy-seven developing countries. It now has 134 members.

Using this country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) as an example, Guyana hopes to show member states how climate change can be addressed. Todd cited the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation ( REDD+) initiative.

Guyana has been able to attract funding to fight climate change through REDD+.

“The aim of this session is to allow for sharing of case studies that demonstrate ecosystem approaches that maintain existing carbon stocks, regulate water flow and storage, maintain and increase resilience, reduce vulnerability of ecosystems and people among others,” he added.

Government believes that the twoday forum will be “most significant for Guyana, in that we will have brought together over 130 countries to share experiences, discuss and propose new practical solutions to some of the critical and pressing issues affecting the world, especially developing countries”.

“The Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China has provided the opportunity for us to show this kind of leadership, and thereby bring about even greater focus on issues affecting humanity,” the minister said.

He added that at the end of the two days, it is hoped that a Communique that highlights the main concerns and actions of the group would also be issued.

Elected

In November last year, Guyana was elected as Chair of the G-77 Group, the largest negotiating group of developing countries in the United Nations. The 134 Member States of the Group elected Guyana by acclamation without preconditions at a November 22nd plenary. The period is for one year, commencing January 2020.

Though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that the country’s election followed a decision of