Guyana’s Ecosystem Worth Over $15.2B Annually, President Ali Tells Global Biodiversity Summit.
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Guyana’s rich natural environment contributes more than USD 15.2 billion in annual ecosystem services, with a staggering 96% of that value stemming from non-market services, such as carbon storage, water purification, and biodiversity preservation. That was the message from President Irfaan Ali during his keynote address at the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on the East Coast of Demerara.
Addressing regional leaders from the Caribbean and Latin America, President Ali asserted that forests are worth more when preserved than when destroyed and urged the world to adopt a “nature-positive economy.”
“The forests of Guyana—not being cleared, not being sold, not being converted—are providing more economic value by standing than they would if destroyed,” Ali stated.
Valuing Nature’s Services
Citing a recent study, the president highlighted that:
- USD 8.4 billion in value comes from genetic resources alone, such as plant compounds with potential medical uses
- An additional USD 3.6 billion is tied to existence and bequest values—the price people are willing to pay to protect natural resources for future generations
President Ali emphasized three core principles behind the Global Biodiversity Alliance:
- Biodiversity is the foundation of life
- Measuring biodiversity is essential for action
- Investing in biodiversity is a necessity, not a luxury
Global Commitment: 30×30 Vision
In a historic move, 15 global leaders and biodiversity experts signed the Georgetown Declaration, pledging to:
- Protect 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030
- Advance a unified global vision for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity
President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to leading the charge toward sustainable development and ecological stewardship.
