Guyana participates in UN seminar on gold, sustainability

Georgetown: A delegation from Guyana, led by Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud, consisting of both private and public sector representatives, participated in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the World Gold Council (WGC) Seminar on Gold and Sustainability held from November 7 – 8, at the United Nations Secretariat, New York, U.S.A.

During the two-day meeting, the government of Guyana, through the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Guyana Gold Board, held discussions with various representatives to formally establish a working relationship with UNITAR and the World Gold Council.

Moreover, the meeting was based on lectures and panel discussions led by experts from the World Gold Council, the United Nations, and other specialists from international organisations. The meeting took a participatory approach, with presentations and discussions on the various topics on the sustainability of gold.

The representatives from Guyana included Guyana Gold Board (GGB) Chairman, Dr Gobind Ganga; GGB member Dabria Marcus; Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding; and GGDMA executive member Azeem Baksh took part in  discussions on the unique qualities of gold from its supply and many sources of demand;  the socio-economic impact that gold mining can contribute to developing economies and the challenges inherent in responsible natural resource management and the role for governments, development organisations, communities and civil society organisations and the private sector.

Minister Persaud, during his interaction with participants, made calls to reduce the cost for producing gold, and at the same time minimise environmental degradation, including respecting the rights of indigenous people. The natural resources and environment minister also highlighted that gold mining and related activities can play an important role in achieving sustainable socio-economic development in all countries where gold is found.

He pointed out that gold produced in conformance with high safety, environmental and social standards has the benefit of being an important source of development and opportunities for many countries and communities in the form of jobs skills, improved infrastructure and tax revenues.

UNITAR is a training arm of the United Nations System, serving some 27,000 beneficiaries annually by conducting more than 400 capacity development and research activities around the world.  The mission of UNITAR is to deliver innovative training and conduct research on knowledge systems to develop capacities of beneficiaries in the fields of environment, peace, security and diplomacy and governance.

The World Gold Council is the global authority on gold and its uses and the first source of informed opinion and advice for stakeholders and decision-makers. They use this knowledge to develop insights into the future role that gold can play across a number of sectors and then, in collaboration with partners, intervene to deliver solutions and create new markets, and to increase and sustain the demand for gold