$1.2B GRIF agreement sealed – will finance Amerindian development projects

Georgetown, GINA, August 9, 2012

The Guyana Government feels vindicated in its efforts to prove to the world that its forest resources are among its most valuable assets and that those at the centre should benefit from the remuneration for providing environmental services to the world.

Today’s signing of a pact between the Guyana Government and the implementing partner for the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) adds to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) achievements in pursuing efforts to improve the quality of life for Amerindians.

The agreement, witnessed by elected leaders of all Amerindian villages will see funding to the tune of $1.2B deposited to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) through which an initial $360M will be made available for the execution of projects earmarked under the Community Development Projects (CDPs).

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and United Nations Resident Representative Khadija Musa signing off on the disbursement of the Guyana REDD + Investment Fund (GRIF) to the Amerindian Development Fund

Signing on behalf of the Guyana Government was Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa who delivered greetings on behalf of the UN Secretary General on the occasion of UN designated Day of World Indigenous Peoples today.

President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, former Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Yvonne Pearson and newly elected Chair, Derrick John were the immediate witnesses to the signing.

The government is looking to several other implementing partners like the UNDP coming on board and may soon see advances from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which has already committed considerable resources and efforts in identifying project interests within the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The signing ended almost two years of waiting and anxiety for the funds Guyana earned through a partnership with the Kingdom of Norway considered a model forest carbon services agreement.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Guyana will earn up to US$250M up to 2015 and having discharged its obligations in implementing the terms and conditions in the MoU the Norwegian made two disbursements totalling $70M in the World Bank GRIF account.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and United Nations Resident Representative Khadija Musa exchange documents after signing off on the GRIF in the presence of President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, former Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Yvonne Pearson and incumbent NTC Chairman Derrick John

President Donald Ramotar in his remarks hailed the Norwegian Government for their forthright, advanced, enlightened and tangible position in the fight against climate change.
“All of us recognise the danger that climate change brings to the whole world and all of us carry some responsibility to fight against climate change and the Norwegians have shown a great clarity and purpose and for that reason we want to thank them and thank the international community,” President Ramotar said.

While expressing anticipation to have full support from all communities, the UNDP Representative called on leaders to not let this venture be a one off initiative, but urged that they initiate projects that will ensure revenue continues to be injected into their communities.

Credit was also given to Guyana’s former President and Champion of the Earth awardee Bharrat Jagdeo, who masterminded the LCDS model that promotes economic development and the maintenance of sustainable environmental health.

The LCDS has evolved out of the former President’s Initiative on Avoided Deforestation launched in December 2008 and is seen as the solution to combating climate change which poses a significant threat to the world while promoting economic development through receiving payments for preserving Guyana’s pristine rain-forests.

Jagdeo advocated the case for standing forests and their values and the need for the international community to recognise the importance of remuneration.
Guyana’s 15 million hectares of rainforests is at the centre of the strategy and the country’s indigenous peoples were hailed for perpetuating custodianship of the resources for centuries.
“We owe as a country and we owe as a world a debt of recognition… to those who have guarded these forests, for centuries before us,” Minister Singh said.

The government had anticipated the economic opportunities that would it would have had to forego in its pursuit of a policy to manage its natural resources in a sustainable and responsible manner.

“We have always been unwavering in our recognition of the value of standing forests, in our recognition of the need for sustainable management of natural resources and of the need for responsibility towards the natural environment.” Minister Singh said.

Other countries are now seeking Guyana’s help and guidance on REDD+ and at a recent climate change forum in Suriname representatives of Guyana shared information and experiences on climate policies, strategy and stakeholder engagement processes.