GMCS and NTC sign historic MoU for Indigenous-led marine conservation
The Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on marine and coastal conservation, with a focus on placing Indigenous communities at the forefront of these efforts.
The agreement was formalised on Thursday at a ceremony held at the NTC Headquarters in Sophia, Georgetown. The MoU was signed by the Project Director of GMCS, Annette Arjoon-Martins, and Vice Chairperson of the NTC, Sonia Latchman.
It outlines a framework for collaborative work in support of sustainable natural resource governance, biodiversity protection, and community-led development, particularly in the Barima Mora Passage (BMP) area of Region One.
Under the new partnership, GMCS will provide financial and technical support for the development of Village Sustainability Plans, the establishment of community-based green enterprises, and training and education programmes focused on mangrove conservation and stewardship of coastal ecosystems.
The NTC, in turn, will facilitate integration of these activities into local planning and assist with stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing.
The two-year MoU, which includes quarterly meetings to review progress, reflects the organisations’ shared commitment to making Indigenous peoples central actors in protecting Guyana’s rich coastal and marine biodiversity.
“This collaboration is a significant step toward strengthening Indigenous leadership in biodiversity conservation, building resilience, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities,” the parties said in a joint statement.
They noted that the MoU aligns with the goals of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which prioritises Indigenous inclusion, ecosystem protection, and sustainable, low-carbon economic development.
Support for the collaborative work will be provided through two major ongoing projects managed by GMCS: the EU-funded “Developing the Capacity of the Barima Mora Passage Communities in Natural Resources Governance” and the IDB-funded “Securing the Future of the Barima Mora Passage Mangroves and Its People.”
Both projects aim to strengthen natural resource governance, conserve biodiversity, and support green enterprises in coastal and Indigenous communities within the BMP.
The new partnership is expected to advance community-led conservation and sustainable development, ensuring that Indigenous voices and knowledge play a leading role in safeguarding Guyana’s marine and coastal environments.
