GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government on Wednesday announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change at the University of Connecticut to enhance biodiversity research in Guyana, with a focus on science, data, and technology.
Addressing the inaugural two-day Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit here, President Dr. Irfaan Ali stated that the MOU was signed on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a strategic, long-term collaboration between Guyana and Yale University.
“This is a monumental step forward, not just for Guyana, but for south-south and north-south collaboration in biodiversity science. We are building the global biodiversity knowledge infrastructure from the ground up and from Guyana out,” he said.
Under this agreement, Yale, through Map of Life – the global biodiversity intelligence platform -, will work with Guyana to support the country’s leadership in the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
Among the targets for this partnership is for the Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change to help Guyana design a world-class International Center of Excellence for biodiversity research here; build a National Biodiversity Information System with maps, dashboards, and data layers; and guide the application of cutting-edge biodiversity science to decision making, including for 30 by 30 commitment.
President Ali stated that the university offers not only world-class expertise but also a network of partners, including the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, the Map of Life, and the Sea-Geo community.
Yale brings not only its world-class expertise, but also a network of partners, including the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, Map of Life, and the broader GEO community.
“No biodiversity strategy can succeed without the full involvement of those who live closest to nature—our Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. In Guyana, we are well aware of this.
“In the Rupununi, the discovery of the critically endangered Red Siskin led to the formation of the South Rupununi Conservation Society—a grassroots organization led by Indigenous youth. They have not only helped restore the species, but have built pride, income, and identity through ecotourism, education, and conservation.”
Ali said that this is not just a story of birds; it is a story of hope.
“Nature is not only about carbon or commerce—it is about connection. It is about what it means to be human. We must protect not just biodiversity, but bio-cultural diversity,” he said, adding, “For too long, we have spoken in generalities about biodiversity. Not anymore.
“With the Global Biodiversity Product, we will track tangible ecosystem outputs: from carbon sequestration to pollination to water filtration. With the Gross Biodiversity Power Index, we will rank national progress with integrity and comparability,” he added.
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