Georgetown : Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud urged stakeholders to work assiduously on the revision of the draft version of Guyana’s Third National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). He described the NBSAP as vision-less and entreated stakeholders to do more to ensure it cater to the needs of Guyanese and fulfill international obligations.
The Minister made the remarks at the stakeholders’ consultation on the draft NBSAP to promote the conservation and sustainable management of Guyana’s biodiversity. Yesterday. The consultation was organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the national focal point to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD). The objectives were to present the revised NBSAP, seek stakeholders’ feedback and input in their review for the implementation of the NBSAP.
The Minister pointed out that while much has been done with respect to protecting and preserving Guyana’s biodiversity, more needs to be done to ensure that the new strategy and action plan is futuristic. “I am deliberately being provocative because I don’t just want you to accept what is before you, I am personally not satisfied, its needs to be innovative,” the Minister stated.
He said there was need for the document to take into account current and future economic activity expressing pleasure at the diverse participation which the consultation attracted.
Among those present were several Regional Chairpersons, and EPA and biodiversity institutions’ staff.
The UNCBD is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and recognises that biological diversity is about more than flora and fauna and their ecosystems – it is about people and the need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment.
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