Georgetown is now the official home of the newly established Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA), following the launch of the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit. This two-day event, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, brought together regional governments, conservationists, scientists, financiers, and local communities to advance urgent dialogue and action for biodiversity protection.

Fifteen signatories endorsed the “Georgetown Declaration,” a framework aligned with the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in 2022. The declaration represents a unified commitment to strengthen global cooperation for the sustainable use, restoration, and long-term preservation of the planet’s biological diversity.

The announcement that the GBA Secretariat will be headquartered in Guyana marks a significant step for the country’s expanding leadership role in global environmental stewardship. Resources will be dedicated to support the Alliance’s administrative and operational efforts, ensuring that commitments made under the Georgetown Declaration are not only monitored but actively implemented (Department of Public Information).

The GBA serves as a platform for coordinated, science-based solutions to critical issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss. It also reinforces the importance of shared knowledge and collaborative partnerships in addressing these global challenges. Discussions at the summit emphasized that lasting progress will depend on building cross-sectoral alliances that include public institutions, civil society, and academia (Ministry of Natural Resources).

Importantly, the Alliance is designed with inclusivity at its core. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities—those who have traditionally been the stewards of biodiversity—are central to its governance and implementation. The inclusion of key Amerindian organisations as signatories demonstrates strong recognition of their role in conservation and ecosystem resilience (Department of Public Information).

Participants at the summit praised the initiative as a timely and necessary move, especially given the growing threats to biodiversity worldwide. The launch signals the beginning of a coordinated global response, rooted in equity, innovation, and shared responsibility.

Guyana’s continued innovation in forest carbon markets, biodiversity credits, sustainable forestry, and community-led conservation aligns well with the objectives of the Alliance. By hosting the GBA Secretariat, the country not only strengthens its international environmental profile but also cements its role as a proactive partner in the global effort to protect the natural world (Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Public Information).

The Georgetown Declaration, backed by diverse stakeholders, sets a new standard for inclusive, science-driven action toward a sustainable and biodiverse future.