President Bharrat Jagdeo has reiterated the call for interventions to address deforestation during climate change sessions of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) statement issued last evening, the head of state supported calls to counter deforestation, which poses a formidable challenge to developing countries even as developed countries contribute over 80 percent of global emissions. The sessions provide the platform for leaders to promote global awareness of the increasing urgency to ensure that avoiding tropical deforestation is included in a global deal to combat climate change, when leaders meet in Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of the year.

Jagdeo has been strongly lobbying for developed nations to compensate countries like Guyana which have preserved their rainforests.

GINA reported that at the WEF session on Thursday, solutions to deforestation were outlined as to how Guyana can ensure that the world acts in a timely manner while at the same time protect its national interest. In addition to Jagdeo, presenters included Yvo De Boer, Luiz Fernando Furlan, Jim Leape and Anita Normark. It was moderated by Richard C. Levin, the President of the Yale University. It was also highlighted that sustainable development models can help the world’s 13 million forest workers keep their livelihoods as well as the 1.6 billion people who benefit from forests.

Prior to his departure for Davos, President Jagdeo said that he hoped to use his invitation to the WEF to contribute to turning the tide in the global understanding of the role of tropical deforestation in climate change.