On July 24, 2025, Guyana President Irfaan Ali officially launched the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) in partnership with regional member states, conservationists, researchers and financiers during the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Georgetown. Known as the “Georgetown Declaration,” the signatories committed to advancing efforts to support the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – an international agreement adopted in 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
Mohamed Irfaan Ali remarked at the launch of the GBA that the time is now to protect biodiversity, noting that 50 per cent of biodiversity globally has already been lost. “Today, we’re not simply launching an initiative, we are igniting a global movement to protect the living fabric of our planet, and I’m proud that this movement begins here in Guyana, with the support and partnership of all of you in this room.” According to Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the GBA is built on three powerful commitments: (i) biodiversity is the infrastructure of life; (ii) measuring biodiversity is the foundation of meaningful action; and (iii) investing in biodiversity is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
The GBA identifies following objectives: 1) achieving the global target of conserving at least 30% of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030; 2) prioritize the implementation of targeted conservation projects in key biodiversity areas; 3) advocate for integrating nature-based solutions into policy frameworks, urban planning, and infrastructure development; 4) supporting scientific research, education, and training initiatives is essential for strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts globally; 5) respecting and promoting the rights and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities are integral to effective biodiversity conservation; 6) developing innovative financing mechanisms and establishing taxonomy frameworks that define sustainable economic activities and guide investments aligned with biodiversity conservation goals; 7) establishing a comprehensive “Gross Biodiversity Power” index that will enable the Alliance to monitor progress, evaluate impact, and ensure accountability across its initiatives.
The Alliance will be led by Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The launch of a Global Biodiversity Alliance was announced by Mohamed Irfaan Ali during his address to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York in 2024. Ali remarked, “We do not make this announcement by mere words…. These are real issues that Guyana is putting forward to address the global problem of biodiversity loss. We do not lecture. We lead by example without arrogance.” Guyana has delivered on its promise.
Global Biodiversity Alliance expands on Guyana’s comprehensive Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, with the aim of developing innovative financing instruments for biodiversity preservation. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 sets out a vision of a fair, inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Guyana, that simultaneously creates a model for avoiding deforestation and maintaining forest coverage while growing the economy five-fold over 10 years and keeping energy emissions flat.
In 2009, Guyana launched the first Low-carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) from a developing country, setting out a vision for inclusive, sustainable development, while simultaneously maintaining the country’s forests, about 85% of the country’s territory, to help meet some of the most urgent challenges the world faces. Guyana has the second highest percentage of forest cover on earth and is working with partners to sustain 99.5% of that forest while building the foundation for a new low-carbon, ecosystem economy. The LCDS 2030 carries forth the three objectives set out in 2009 along with one more objective. The three objectives outlined in 2009 were: create new economic incentives: how to make forests worth more alive than dead; stimulate future growth using clean energy and non-deforesting economic activities and protect against climate change. The fourth objective included in LCDS 2030 is aligning with global climate goals.
Guyana’s launch of the Global Biodiversity Alliance marks a bold step in strengthening its global leadership in environmental protection. Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat aptly stated that the country is well-placed to lead the global fight against biodiversity loss as it has successfully balanced environmental protection with sustainable development. It is a reflection that a small developing state such as Guyana can help shape global climate agendas and drive transformative change.
