Green development for all

May 14, 2017 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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(Address by HE David Granger to the Green Multi-stakeholder steering Committee)
The Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee (MSSC) is an important consultative mechanism. It demonstrates the Cooperative Republic of Guyana’s commitment to an inclusionary system of governance characterized by consultation, cooperation and inclusion.
The Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee emerged out of the agreement of 9th November 2009 between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway aimed at establishing a model of environmental governance. The MSSC was a key mechanism arising out of that agreement.
The MSSC was intended to ensure that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) process, including the Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD-plus) strategy, was undergirded by both inclusivity and transparency.
The LCDS was an important first step in demonstrating how one country, could benefit while providing climate-mitigating services for all countries. It represented a model for rewarding countries for their environmental services which their forests provide to the rest of the world. Guyana expects that, once it fulfils its obligations under the agreement, it would receive the benefits for the services which it earned and to which it is entitled.
Guyana, by reconvening the MSCC, is expanding its mandate to allow it to serve as part of the inclusionary governance architecture of the evolving ‘green state’. Guyana is committed to implementing the LCDS and honouring its obligations under its agreement with Norway and to ensuring that the framework of governance and consultation is entrenched as part of that agreement.
Guyana is in transition to becoming a green state. This country is developing a green development strategy that goes beyond the LCDS. It is a transformative agenda which involves green development at the household, community, regional and national levels. It is intended to impact on the livelihoods of each and every citizen.
The green development strategy will allow:
– protection and preserve wildlife;
– preservation of our lakes, wetlands and waterways;
– promotion the development of eco-tourism and eco-educational tourism;
– extension of the protected areas system in every region;
– fortification of coastal zone management;
– graduation towards full renewable energy use; and
– introduction of low-carbon, low-emission manufacturing.
Guyana needs a new developmental paradigm –one that fosters human development, generates growth, promotes inclusion and reduces economic, political and social marginalization. Green development aims at human development and, specifically, at eradicating poverty and inequality, increasing employment, promoting sustainable livelihoods and building economic and environmental resilience. The green path to development guarantees prosperity and sustainable human development.
The green path to development will be defined by a process of sustained consultation and inclusivity. No one, not Government, no non-governmental organization, no international institution claim to have a monopoly on knowledge. Stakeholders represent an important repository of accumulated experience and expertise.
Guyana’s consultative and inclusive approach will allow for a wider expression of the green development strategy. Public ownership of the strategy will contribute to better understanding. Public confidence, in turn, will contribute to the success of the strategy’s implementation.
A consultative and inclusionary approach to human development – such as inequality and poverty– is at the core of government’s philosophy of governance. Consultation and inclusivity are permanent features of governance.
Policies arising from a consultative process enjoy greater public confidence. The involvement of stakeholders in decision-making is vital to the success of developmental initiatives. It ensures that everyone understands the policies which are being pursued in the public interest.
This Committee – now the ‘Green’ Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (GMSSC) –meeting is evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring that development is not only people-centered but that it is also people-driven. This meeting is intended to become a permanent consultative mechanism which will allow for stakeholder input and participation in the governing mechanism of both the LCDS and the green development strategy.
The GMSCC has a double mandate. The first is to become part of the governance framework of the LCDS process. The second is to become an integral part of the consultative mechanism under Guyana’s Green Development Strategy.
I look forward to your cooperation and to your contribution to making Guyana a ‘green state’ not only for us and our children but for yet unborn generations.

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