Guyana has identified food security as a way to end poverty and hunger by 2025 and agriculture as the vehicle to achieve this. The Strategic objectives of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) are aligned to the overall strategic objectives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE). By 2030 biodiversity is sustainably utilized, managed and mainstreamed into all sectors contributing to the advancement of Guyana’s bio-security, and socio-economic and low carbon development. SO1: Improve the status of biodiversity by conserving ecosystems, species and genetic diversity in degraded areas. SO4: Improve national implementation and monitoring for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). SO6: Harmonize legal and administrative frameworks that support the sustainable use, protection and management of biodiversity. SO7: Improve substantially biodiversity monitoring at the national level and within key productive sectors. SO8: Strengthen the knowledge and capacity for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. SO9: Secure adequate resources from national sources for the implementation of the Plan. Guyana’s vision for agriculture seeks to change the view that agriculture is for subsistence livelihood while promoting agriculture as a wealth generator and entrepreneurial enterprise, producing food and non-food commodities to meet local and export demands (pag. 3). SO2: Promote the conservation, sustainable use and value of biodiversity into key productive sectors used for growth and diversification of the economy (pag. VI). Guyana believes that its forest can play an important role in addressing the global problem of climate change and its effects. Guyana's forest resources are its principal natural asset for obtaining revenue needed for the growth and development. The decision of the Government of Guyana to sustainably manage the forestry resources to benefit the economy and create opportunities for the people of Guyana has resulted in one of the lowest rates of deforestation in the world. Guyana’s biodiversity provides an important basis for climate regulation, poverty reduction, provisioning of fresh water and hydropower, economic growth and development in areas such as agriculture, forestry and fisheries, payment for forest climate services, community based economies, particularly in hinterland communities and biodiversity-related education, scientific research and recreation (pag. 20). SO6.4: To ensure all persons in mining, forestry and agriculture sector are included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental authorization process (pag. 49). Guyana’s vision for agriculture seeks to change the view that agriculture is for subsistence livelihood while promoting agriculture as a wealth generator and entrepreneurial enterprise, producing food and non-food commodities to meet local and export demands. This vision is based on the premise that agriculture is central to food and nutrition security and to sustained economic growth for Guyana. Agriculture is also seen as the most feasible way to provide economic opportunities for poor, rural and vulnerable communities (pag. 3). Strategic Goal A: addresses the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society. Target 2: By 2020 biodiversity values have been integrated into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes and are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate and reporting systems (pag. 29). Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services; Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous. Target 18: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels (pag. 30). Goal: By 2020 biodiversity is valued, effectively conserved, protected and restored where appropriate, delivering significant benefits and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation in a way that is acceptable nationally and globally (pag. 43). Undertake joint and synergistic programming across 3 GEF focal areas (e.g. joint programme on biodiversity and climate change; joint programme on biodiversity and land degradation) (pag. 31).
Guyana’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2012-2020).