Message from the Honourable Mr Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources

messaGe from The honourable mr. Vickram bharraT, minisTer of naTural resources

Theme: Advancing Sustainable Developments

The concept of sustainable development was described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Society, environment, culture and economy are considered the four dimensions to sustainable development. For Guyana, natural resources represent an opportunity for transformational growth to support the development of our country. As we look towards transformational growth of the economy and the natural resources sector, we continue to form synergies among the sustainable uses of natural resources that will advance sustainable development. The successes of the sustainable use of natural resources that help to support and advance sustainable development are underpinned by the national and international development targets highlighted in key guiding documents and initiatives for development such as the expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The policies and programmes of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the natural resources sector are aligned towards achievement of development targets of the LCDs and SDGs.

The expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) sets out the context for the development choices facing Guyana, as the country reaches a new stage in its national development. It seeks to provide insights on how to stimulate the creation of a low-deforestation, low-carbon, climateresilient economy by setting out a model through which economic development and climate change mitigation will be enabled through the generation of payments for forest services in a mechanism of sustainable utilization and development. The result will transform Guyana’s economy whilst combating climate change. The strategies of the Ministry are aligned towards achieving this objective by focusing on interrelationships and trends in the development of natural resources sectors, new emerging sectors (such as oil and gas), sustainable forestry and mining practices, changes in environmental and social conditions due to such development, and possible alternative development and conservation scenarios. The result will transform Guyana’s economy whilst combating climate change.

Natural resources are central to human wellbeing, our way of life as Guyanese and national development. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) recognises that the natural resources sector, through its extensive activities (forestry, mining and oil and gas), has strong linkages with issues across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets towards 2030. Sustainable management and use of natural resources is key to achieving this global initiative. Integration of the SDGs into the policies, frameworks and planning sees MNR focusing on SDG 13: Take Urgent Action To Combat Climate Change And Its Impacts, SDG 14: Conserve And Sustainably Use The Oceans, Seas, And Marine Resources For Sustainable Development and SDG 15: Protect, Restore And Promote Sustainable Use Of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Sustainably Manage Forests, Combat Desertification, And Halt And Reverse Land Degradation And Halt Biodiversity Loss. The Ministry committed to highlighting challenges, emerging issues and key steps to address on the way forward within the sector that advance and align with our sustainable development goals. Some key strategies for the coming years across the sector include; development and implementation of national legislation and policy initiatives, implementation of an inter-sectorial natural resource management strategy and implementation of an Upstream Oil & Gas Policy and Strategy.

Advancing sustainable development within the natural resources sector will continue to be guided and supported by national strategies and international frameworks that ensure transformational growth of the economy that support Guyanese now and in the future.

Hon. Vickram Bharrat, M.P   Minister of Natural Resources