US Rep. discusses environmental and natural resources management with Minister Persaud

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud today met with US Environmental Representative, Mr. Alain Norman, and Economic and Commercial Officer, US Embassy Mr. Jeffrey S. Barrus to explore the possibilities of collaboration and support for Guyana’s environmental sector.

The meeting explored the possibilities of development between Guyana and the US Government for support in the areas of technical assistance and environmental science. More specifically, there were several thematic areas that the Minister and the US representative discussed such as clean energy, waste management, water management and protected area management.

Mr. Norman was very enthusiastic to learn about the progress which Guyana has made in relation to these areas. As such, the Natural Resources and the Environment Minister highlighted initiatives, policies and plans that his Ministry has been involved in recently for the management of the environmental sector.

Ndibi Schwiers, Technical Officer-Environment, Ministry of

Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Jeffrey S.

Barrus, Economic and Commercial Officer- US Embassy,

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert

Persaud, US Environmental Representative, Mr. Alain

Norman and Mr. Veetal Rajkumar Head, Policy Planning

and Coordination Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources and

the Environment

However, the Minister indicated that there is a strong need to enhance capacity building in environmental management and the natural resources sector. He also spoke of the importance of technology transfer for maximising recovering in the mining sector, mercury free technology and resource conversion.

Mr. Alain made reference to clean energy projects that Costa Rica has embarked upon while the Minister alluded to the benefits that Guyana intends to receive from the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project.

Minister Persaud also pointed out that the Low Carbon Development Strategy is Guyana’s overarching national plan to promote economic growth and combat climate change, given the fact that over 85 % of the country is covered with state forest. He identified that an area of interest is converting waste to energy technology using municipal solid waste, a challenged faced by the Georgetown municipality.

Minister Persaud took the opportunity to report on the progress that has been made to reduce the use of plastic and styrofoam at the Parliamentary level. Mr. Alain indicated that there are companies in Costa Rica that are interested in Biothermal Energy and he was willing to make referrals for the companies to consider Guyana.