Minister asks UNEP to boost global action on climate

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told a high-level UNEP meeting that there is need for increased global action to deal with the effects of climate change citing the La Niña condition which is causing severe flooding in Guyana.  In a press release the ministry said Persaud attended the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya earlier this week.

The minister “used several interactions” to remind the forum of the threat posed by climate change and pointed to the devastation in countries such as Australia and Brazil.   He then urged the international community to focus efforts on supporting vulnerable countries in dealing with its impact and to support efforts for mitigation approaches as offered by Guyana in highlighting the role of standing forests.

Meanwhile, the ministry has been monitoring the situation in Guyana and has been hosting several teleconferences with personnel including the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Hydromet Service and the crops and livestock agencies as part of the ongoing national response to flooding.