Guyana to host global biodiversity finance forum in Georgetown
More than 140 representatives are expected to discuss how to pay for protecting nature, from green bonds to carbon markets.
Guyana will host the Second Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference and Financing Forum, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said in a notice published on 13 October 2026. DPI said it will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Georgetown.
More than 140 representatives of governments, communities and organisations are expected to attend, DPI said.
The forum is part of Guyana Nature and Biodiversity Finance Week, according to DPI. The department said guests will include scientists, investors, political leaders, financial institutions, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
DPI said the talks will cover ways to raise money for nature. The department's list includes blended finance, green bonds and biodiversity bonds, carbon markets and biodiversity markets, and money from multilateral institutions.
DPI said Guyana hosted the first Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit from 23 to 25 July 2025. The roadmap from that summit already named biodiversity credits, green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps. In a debt-for-nature swap, a country's debt is cut in return for protecting nature.
At the 2025 opening, President Ali pointed to Guyana's forests to make the case for investment. He noted that over 85 per cent of the land remains forested and undisturbed. He said the country “is home to over 1,200 bird species, 225 mammals, and nearly 8,000 unique plant species.”
Guyana already earns money from its forests by selling carbon credits. On 2 December 2022, the Government of Guyana and Hess Corporation announced a deal. Hess will buy 37.5 million carbon credits between 2022 and 2032. The deal is worth at least US$750 million.
DPI said the forum will run on 30 and 31 October. The department gave the theme as “Investing in Nature: From Global Commitments to Practical Action.”