The Guyana-led Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) is expected to shift its focus towards mobilising resources and building partnerships to advance global biodiversity protection when it hosts its second conference in October.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the disclosure during his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he highlighted the progress made by the Alliance since its establishment last year.
“The second conference of the Alliance, to be held in October 2026, will begin to mobilise the resources and partnerships to deliver its ambitions,” President Ali told world leaders.
The upcoming conference represents another step in Guyana’s push to establish a broader international platform through which governments and other stakeholders can collaborate on biodiversity conservation.
The Global Biodiversity Alliance was established under Guyana’s leadership in July 2025, following a commitment made by President Ali at the UN General Assembly two years earlier for the country to provide global leadership on biodiversity.
According to the President, the Alliance has since recorded significant growth, expanding from just 17 members to 138 in a little over one year.
Its membership now stretches beyond governments and includes international organisations such as the United Nations, development banks, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists, universities and private sector representatives.
“Two years ago, at this very podium, I committed Guyana to provide global leadership on biodiversity,” President Ali said.
The Head of State also used his UN address to highlight the wider challenges facing the global environment, listing biodiversity loss alongside climate change, food insecurity and other major issues confronting countries.
Guyana, meanwhile, continues to pursue its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), through which the country has sought to place economic value on maintaining its forests while advancing development.
President Ali said the strategy remains focused on “turning forest stewardship and climate action into a new model for sustainable development.”
With the Alliance’s membership having expanded significantly since its establishment, the October conference is now expected to focus on securing the resources and partnerships needed to translate its wider biodiversity ambitions into action.
