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The recently concluded Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, held in Georgetown, Guyana, brought together high-level stakeholders from across the globe to advance collective action on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Hosted under the leadership of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the two-day event marked the formal launch of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, an international initiative aimed at aligning countries, private sector actors, civil society, and Indigenous communities around shared biodiversity goals.

Among the key contributors to the Summit was the Protected Areas Trust (PAT) of Guyana, alongside experts from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and the Network of Latin American and Caribbean Environmental Funds (RedLAC), who facilitated multiple expert panel discussions “Aligning Business with Biodiversity: Green Taxonomies, Innovation Finance & Policy in Practice.” 

The Protected Areas Trust, established under the Protected Areas Act of 2011, plays a critical role in co-financing the management of Guyana’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS). In 2016, PAT became a member of REDLAC, while in 2022, the institution signed a partnership agreement with the CBF to make additional resources to fulfill the mandate. At the Summit, the organization was represented by panellists: Melanie McTurk- Chair of the Board, Karen McDonald-Gayle- CEO of CB,F Rachel Ramsey-Programme Coordinator-CBF, and Daniella Celarié-General Coordinator  REDLAC. 

The team participated in and spoke at four panels. One of those sessions focused on “Nature’s Value: Biodiversity as a Driver of Bioeconomic Transformation.” It emphasized ecosystems as natural capital, particularly in the Amazon region, and showcased how biodiversity can fuel inclusive economic growth and resilience. Meanwhile, the panel on Financing Biodiversity explored innovative financial mechanisms and partnerships that are scaling conservation efforts across the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of conservation trust funds like PAT in aligning biodiversity goals with global climate and development frameworks.

The session on Aligning Business with Biodiversity examined how green taxonomies, financial frameworks, and policy tools can support nature-positive business practices, with practical examples from the tourism and hospitality sectors. Bridging the Gap: Advancing Access to Biodiversity Finance addressed the urgent need to close nature’s finance gap through inclusive strategies, data-driven decision-making, and capacity-building. Together, these sessions reinforced that  CTFs are important financial mechanisms that promote community-level impact, cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment in building resilient ecosystems that benefit both people and the planet.

On the sidelines of the Global Biodiversity Summit, the PAT also actively engaged stakeholders through a dedicated exhibition booth that spotlighted its efforts to co-finance conservation work in Guyana and the Caribbean. The booth featured dynamic visuals, publications, and interactive discussions that showcased PAT’s role in advancing biodiversity protection, community engagement, and sustainable financing for protected areas. By creating a welcoming space for dialogue and knowledge exchange, PAT strengthened its visibility among regional and international partners, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive and impactful environmental stewardship. 

The participation of Protected Areas Trust signals a significant step toward embedding conservation financing in the country’s broader economic agenda. By engaging in regional and international dialogues on biodiversity finance, PAT continues to strengthen its role not only as a national trusted financial mechanism for protected area management but also as a thought leader in advancing collaborative, sustainable, biodiversity-aligned development in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

More About the Protected Areas Trust (Guyana)

The Protected Areas Trust (PAT) is Guyana’s national conservation trust fund dedicated to supporting the effective management and sustainable use of Guyana’s network of protected areas. Established to provide long-term financial and technical support, PAT works in close collaboration with its donors, governmental agencies, civil society, and local communities to safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs and financial mechanisms, PAT promotes conservation, community empowerment, and resilience—ensuring that protected areas continue to serve as vital ecological and economic assets for present and future generations.

 

Contact:

For more information on this workshop and other projects, please visit PAT’s website at protectedareastrust.org.gy or contact us at +592 227 0343 (0346),