President Irfaan Ali is in Brazil attending the Conference of Parties on climate change, and today he raised concern about the slothfulness of global climate action, pointing out that while countries and climate deniers are wasting time, other countries are suffering the consequences of Climate Change.

The President said the recent catastrophe caused by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean region is further testament that there needs to be a more robust implementation of the climate agenda.

“We must recognize that the COP process and the wider climate agenda is not moving forward with the speed and success our people deserve. In part, this is because the agenda has been captured by the extremes, some of that comes from climate deniers and those who put profit before planet,” the President said.

The President said the world should invest massively in renewable energy, but also pursue “a science-based policy that advances a transition by powering the remainder of the fossil fuel era with the lowest-carbon, most-efficient, least-cost fuels.”

He slammed climate activists and and bureaucrats within international institutions, who he said are contributing to the sloth in progress and fueling skepticism.

“These forces create a different kind of climate denial by generating public fatigue and skepticism that solutions can never be found. Here in Belem, we need that to change. Our challenge is not to dismiss COP’s but to fix the machine of cooperation so that good ideas can move forward,” the President said.

President Ali urged accelerated action, collaboration, and fairness in the global approach to sustainable development, reminding the delegates that the world is at a decisive moment that requires courage, innovation, and solidarity.

“That means recommitting to global rules, not relying on global slogans, the carbon price, the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and competition that is based on carbon science not legacy advantage,” the President stated.

Here in Guyana, the President said adaptation measures are among the largest in the country’s history, with major investments in drainage, irrigation, and climate-resilient infrastructure to safeguard communities against extreme weather events.

He said Guyana will continue to commit to being a global example of balanced, sustainable development, which protects forests, uplifts people, and contributes to a more resilient planet.

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