Stakeholders made submissions to be considered for the review of the RIO+20 Draft Guyana Stocktaking Report presented at a multi-stakeholder meeting on Saturday, as preparations move ahead for Guyana’s participation in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in Brazil in June.
“The RIO+20 Draft Guyana Stocktaking Report – A Green Economy and Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development: The Guyana Context” was prepared and presented by Dr Paulette Bynoe. The document was distributed to stakeholders, who were then given a chance to respond to the main findings and conclusion, at an interactive session held during the meeting at the Umana Yana.
Guyana’s report is a national assessment of its progress, experiences, opportunities and remaining gaps pertaining to the themes of the UNCSD, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The first phase of the three-part process was funded by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). It entailed preparing a report based on interviews, consultations and desk reviews. The second phase involved facilitating a workshop and the final phase involved documenting the outcomes of the first two chapters in the national report. The Conference is set for June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Robert Persaud, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, noted that the report has shown that Guyana has been able to meet its commitments and, in many instances, exceed them. According to Persaud, although the Guyana Government comprises different political parties, it has maintained its commitment to ensuring that sustainable development is done in a balanced way. The minister also commended the late President Desmond Hoyte for taking the initiative and dedicating the entire Iwokrama area for sustainable purposes.
Persaud also noted that the PPP/C has followed through with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which envisages development in the light of climate change. He also said that though the review of the national stock taking report shows national commitment, it is one of those issues that have seen some challenges and division at the political level in society.
In his address, Navin Chandarpal, Advisor to the President on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology told the meeting that the RIO Declaration of 20 years ago described sustainable development as the “harmonious way in which we can have development while at the same time protecting our environment, and particularly the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources of our planet.” He noted that after the conference, government had committed to sustainable development and one of the issues to be raised at the UNCSD seminar is how to integrate the three pillars of sustainable development—economic, social and environmental—in a way that ensures the best results for world.
UN Resident Representative to Guyana Khadija Musa noted that the process is an important one that should not be taken lightly. She also congratulated Guyana on the decision to participate in the preparatory process before the Conference and acknowledged the collaboration between the UN organisations UNDP, UNPESA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Environment Protection Agency, in supporting the preparatory process. The meeting is expected to build on the stakeholders report.
Musa pointed out that green growth and poverty reduction must go hand in hand, adding that development and cooperation will promote growth.
GINA said that other stakeholders also contributed to the report by pointing out minor issues that they believe could have been included. In response, they were reminded of the Terms of Reference set out for the compilation of the report by the UN and advised once again of the issues that needed to be outlined. The draft report is to be reworked and resubmitted to the stakeholders, including the points noted at Saturday’s meeting. The revised report will be presented at another forum at a later date.
