International Leaders Commend Guyana's Biodiversity Leadership at GBA Conference

According to the Guyana Times, international representatives at the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) Conference acknowledged Guyana's increasing leadership in Global Biodiversity Conservation and its efforts to convert environmental pledges into concrete outcomes, underscoring the necessity of practical action, sustainable financing, and international collaboration to safeguard nature.

Katy Thompson, the UN's Acting Resident Coordinator, Senator Russ Feingold of the Campaign for Nature, and Valerie Hickey, Director of Environment at the World Bank, all recognized Guyana's role in advancing the global biodiversity agenda, while also stressing the importance of the country's role in establishing the GBA and mobilizing the necessary resources and partnerships to speed up conservation efforts.

Senator Feingold specifically commended President Irfaan Ali for his leadership in founding the GBA, describing his advocacy on biodiversity at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as significant. He characterized Ali as a respected international figure on these matters and a great leader within the country, noting that the progress demonstrated in Guyana serves as a model for what can be achieved through sustained commitment, partnerships, and strong leadership.

Feingold also pointed out that initiatives like the GBA and the Commonwealth Nature Initiative can complement each other in boosting the global 30 by 30 target, reflecting a vision of enhanced international cooperation among nations and organizations to meet conservation objectives. He stressed that the 30 by 30 target remains achievable if nations bolster their political leadership and substantially increase conservation funding, applauding the GBA Conference as an example of the required international cooperation. Specifically, Feingold applauded Guyana for its plans to protect 1.5 million hectares of rainforest within the Acarai-Rupununi Corridor as part of its commitment to conserve 30 percent of the nation by 2030.

Held under the theme “Investing in Nature: Accelerating Biodiversity Finance for Sustainable Development,” the 2026 conference aimed to advance the Alliance from its initial launch phase toward coordinated implementation, building upon the foundation set at the 2025 Summit. This year's conference focused on developing practical solutions, strengthening international cooperation, and mobilizing both public and private financing to transform global biodiversity commitments into measurable results.

Katy Thompson, representing the UN, reiterated the UN's support for Guyana's environmental goals, noting the close alignment between Guyana's national priorities and the global biodiversity agenda. She stated that the UN group was proud to be an ally in the global biodiversity alliance effort, recognizing Guyana's contribution to protecting nature and biodiversity. Thompson described 2026 as a crucial year for accelerating implementation and turning global commitments into accountable, measurable results, particularly following the first global review of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP17 in Armenia.

Thompson also mentioned Guyana's involvement in the UNDP’s global BioFin programme in 2026, alongside 133 other countries, as part of efforts to better understand biodiversity spending, pinpoint financing gaps, and create national solutions for resource mobilization, emphasizing the importance of building confidence among development partners and investors.

From the World Bank Group, Valerie Hickey described the GBA as a coalition dedicated to moving beyond declarations toward implementation, stressing that conservation efforts must also enhance the livelihoods of people living in the protected landscapes and seascapes. Hickey noted that the World Bank Group had invested US$8.8 billion in nature finance in the previous year, with a considerable portion dedicated to mobilizing private capital for nature-related projects.

Hickey detailed how the UN has been working to create financial tools, such as biodiversity bonds and blue bonds, to channel investment into sustainable development and conservation, pointing to rising international interest in these instruments as evidence of capital markets' potential role in nature financing. Regarding the practical steps to attract investment, she highlighted the necessity of clear regulations, predictable policies, and secure land-use arrangements, including community land tenure and concessions.

Hickey also addressed President Ali's request for an investment vehicle to provide project-ready financing, stating that while such a mechanism is important, it requires a robust pipeline of viable projects to attract and utilize available capital. She stressed the importance of supporting micro and small businesses, which constitute 70 percent of global businesses, by addressing practical needs like credit histories and payment systems. Hickey concluded that these seemingly minor institutional and administrative improvements can significantly help local businesses and communities gain financial benefits from nature-based economic activities.