Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations

Statement by Mr. Royston Alkins, First Secretary, at the United Nations Forum on Forest, on the agenda item titled "Initial discussions on the final review of the effectiveness of the IAF in achieving its objectives" - 12 May 2026

Thank you, Chair.
Guyana welcomes the initiation of discussions on the final review of the effectiveness of the International Arrangement on Forests.
Over the years, the IAF has played an important role in advancing global dialogue, strengthening policy coherence, and promoting voluntary cooperation on sustainable forest management.

At the same time, the evolving global context requires a more responsive and implementation-oriented arrangement that better supports action on the ground, enhances access to financing for forest countries, strengthens partnerships across multilateral, regional, and private sector stakeholders, and delivers measurable progress toward the Global Forest Goals.

Chair,
Guyana emphasizes that the effectiveness of the IAF should be assessed not only in terms of processes and dialogue, but also through its tangible impact on forests, local communities, livelihoods, and sustainable development outcomes.

In this regard, the review process should also consider how the IAF can better support innovative financing approaches, including results-based payments, ecosystem service valuation, and jurisdictional approaches that incentivize forest conservation and sustainable management.

Guyana looks forward to constructive and inclusive discussions as this process advances.

I thank you.

Video source: UN Web Tv

Statement by Mr. Royston Alkins, First Secretary, at the United Nations Forum on Forests, on the agenda item titled "Monitoring, assessment and reporting: voluntary national reporting on progress
in implementing the United Nations strategic plan for forests 2017–2030, the United Nations forest instrument and voluntary national contributions" - 12 May 2026

Thank you, Chair.
Guyana welcomes the Secretariat’s note and the continued focus on strengthening monitoring, assessment, and reporting under the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests.

Robust monitoring frameworks are essential for tracking progress toward the Global Forest Goals and for promoting credibility, transparency, and accountability in global forest governance.
In this regard, Guyana emphasizes that monitoring systems should be scientifically robust and internationally comparable, while remaining flexible enough to reflect national circumstances and practical for developing countries to implement.

Chair,
Guyana underscores the importance of integrating remote sensing and satellite-based monitoring systems, national forest inventories, and jurisdictional approaches to carbon accounting and land-use monitoring in order to strengthen data quality and decision-making.

At the same time, capacity constraints continue to pose significant challenges for many developing countries. We therefore support enhanced technical assistance, technology transfer, and predictable financing to strengthen monitoring, reporting, and verification systems.

Guyana further stresses that reporting processes should generate actionable insights and support implementation, rather than create unnecessary reporting burdens. Greater alignment across reporting frameworks under the UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, and the Sustainable Development Goals would also help reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

I thank you.

Video source: UN WebTv

Statement by Mr. Royston Alkins, First Secretary, at the United Nations Forum on Forest, on "Means of implementation, including operations and resources of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network" - 12 May 2026

Thank you, Chair.
Guyana emphasizes that stronger interlinkages across global forest-related frameworks must be accompanied by equally strong means of implementation. In this regard, financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building continue to represent significant gaps that must be urgently addressed to support effective implementation at the national level.

Guyana therefore supports continued efforts to strengthen coordination and resource mobilization for sustainable forest management, including through consideration of the proposed Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network Office as a mechanism to enhance access to financing and technical support.

Chair,
Guyana also supports the adoption of an ambitious, balanced, and consensus-based omnibus resolution that reflects the importance of strengthened interlinkages across relevant global frameworks, enhanced financing for forests, recognition of national circumstances and contributions, and stronger partnerships among all stakeholders.

We further encourage transparent, inclusive, and constructive informal consultations to facilitate agreed outcomes that advance sustainable forest management and the achievement of the Global Forest Goals.
I thank you.

Video source: UN WebTV

Statement by Mr. Royston Alkins, First Secretary, at the United Nations Forum on Forests, on "Interlinkages between the global forest goals and targets and the Sustainable Development Goals under review by the high-level political forum on sustainable
development in 2026 and 2027, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries
Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, including the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme, and other international forest-related developments" - 12 May 2026

Thank you, Chair.
Guyana welcomes the focus on strengthening interlinkages between the Global Forest Goals and relevant international frameworks, including the SDGs under review by the HLPF in 2026 and 2027, the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, relevant Biodiversity Framework, as well as the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

We support stronger integration of forests within the implementation of the SDGs. In this regard, Guyana emphasizes the critical role of standing forests in advancing sustainable development, supporting livelihoods, safeguarding biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience.

We further underscore the economic value of ecosystem services, and the urgent need for predictable and adequate financing for forest conservation and sustainable forest management.

Chair,
Guyana reaffirms the central role of forests in achieving the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. Under Article 5, forests and REDD+ remain essential mitigation instruments that require strengthened implementation and scaled-up finance.

In this regard, we support outcomes that strengthen results-based climate finance for forests, improved integrity and transparency of carbon markets, scaled up financing for standing forests, and recognize the unique contributions of high forest cover, low deforestation countries within global climate frameworks.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, together with our jurisdictional forest carbon programme under ART-TREES, demonstrates how high-integrity forest carbon systems can simultaneously advance climate ambition and sustainable development.

Chair,
Equally important is ensuring the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in forest governance and conservation efforts. Finally, Guyana supports the continued strengthening of the Global Environment Facility as a key financing mechanism for biodiversity, climate, and land degradation objectives.

We encourage improved accessibility, simplified procedures, and stronger alignment with national forest finance systems, particularly for countries demonstrating strong conservation performance.

I thank you.

Video source: UN WebTv

Statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations during the General Debate of the 2026 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons - 28 April 2026

Thank you, President Do Hung Viet
Guyana congratulates you on your assumption as President of the 2026 Review Conference of Parties to the NPT and assures you of our full support.

We align with the Statements delivered by Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of CARICOM, Uganda on behalf of NAM, and South Africa on behalf of the States Parties to the TPNW, and make the following additional remarks in our national capacity.

President,
More than 50 years after the entry into force of the NPT, there is slow progress towards its full and effective implementation. Instead, we are witnessing an increase in global conflicts in tandem with an increase in nuclear rhetoric, including the advancement of the nuclear deterrence theory by some States; the modernisation, expansion and acquisition of nuclear arsenals; the formation of nuclear alliances; erosion of arms control arrangements; and the increased role of nuclear weapons in military and security doctrines.

There has also been a general backsliding on the implementation of obligations under the NPT, and more attention on rearmament rather than disarmament, both of which undermine the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. An equal concern is that billions of dollars are being spent on weapons that could cause massive destruction. Resources, which could be redirected to address pressing global developmental issues. Guyana calls upon States Parties to the NPT to honor their commitments and to uphold the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We also advocate for the balanced implementation of the three pillars of the NPT.

President,
We cannot overlook the humanitarian, economic and environmental consequences associated with nuclear testing and the use of nuclear weapons. We must also recognise that the mere existence of nuclear weapons poses a threat to international peace and security and more so when they are on high alert and ready to be deployed. Moreover, the use of nuclear weapons would be contrary to international law; threats to use them must therefore be condemned.

Guyana also expresses its concern about the possible integration of emerging technologies into nuclear systems and underscores the need for human control and oversight in this regard. We believe that the only way to address the risks posed by nuclear weapons is through their complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination.

President,
Guyana acknowledges that the CTBT, TPNW and nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties, are complementary to the NPT, in advancing the ultimate objective of a world free of nuclear weapons. In this context, we call for the universalisation of the NPT and for the entry into force of the CTBT. We also call on those States that have not yet ratified the TPNW to do so, without delay.

These treaties form the basis for advancing disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and should be rooted in multilateralism, a renewed commitment to dialogue and diplomacy and the rebuilding of trust and confidence.

In conclusion, President, colleagues, Guyana remains committed to the implementation of the NPT and to the promotion of a world free of nuclear weapons and believes that this is critical for ensuring international peace and security. As we deliberate during this Conference, let us be reminded about the consequences of using nuclear weapons and its long-lasting impacts, with a view to strengthening our commitment to the objectives of the NPT.

I thank you.