Policy Forum blasts GBA’s ‘money-first’ approach to biodiversity protection

(Kaieteur News) – Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) has criticised the Government’s approach to the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA), arguing that the initiative is becoming too heavily focused on attracting foreign investment while neglecting the domestic reforms necessary to protect the country’s biodiversity.

Following the launch of the GBA last year, PFG said it had commended the Guyana Government for the initiative. However, the organisation had cautioned that “to make a compelling case for global financing through the GBA, Guyana must implement key reforms focused on the extractive industries, particularly the mining sector”.

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In a statement issued on Monday, PFG said the recently concluded second GBA meeting focused almost exclusively on securing external financial resources, without making any reference to nationally driven activities. According to the organisation, the meeting’s overriding preoccupation was attracting financial investment, with biodiversity being treated as a new asset class for investors.