Georgetown: Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to lead a delegation to Suriname before the 26th United Nation’s Conference on Climate Change (COP26) this November.
His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a joint press conference last week with Suriname’s Head of State, His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi.
President Ali spoke of Dr. Jagdeo’s expertise in the environment field.
“[Guyana and Suriname] have agreed that the VP would lead a delegation to Suriname before COP26 to look at the coordination of our strategies, and also to work with our counterparts in Suriname in coming up with a common strategy in dealing with climate change and the environment.”
President Ali also noted that the preservation of the environment remains a critical issue. He added that both Guyana and Suriname recognise that in the two countries’ development pathway, there must to be a balance with the environment.
Further, it was indicated that both Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states share similar conditions, opportunities and challenges as it relates to the environment and climate change.
Dr. Ali pointed out that Suriname and Guyana will be jointly marketing their forests, as carbon credit. A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas.
“We have agreed that we’re going to jointly approach the area of environment and climate change, to come up with a common strategy for both Guyana and Suriname especially in preparation for COP26 and also in exploring the possibility of merging our forest asset in the carbon credit market,” President Ali explained.
The COP26, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be held from October 31 to November 12 in the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, UK.
The conference was rescheduled from the initial November 2020 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
