Conservation Funders Pledge $12.5M for Guyana's Forest Protection

Four conservation organizations have pledged a combined $12.5 million to support the permanent protection of Guyana’s Acarai-Rupununi Corridor, a vast forested area covering over 1 million hectares (2.4 million acres).

The initiative is part of President Irfaan Ali’s broader 30x30 plan to protect 30% of Guyana’s land and waters by 2030. The Acarai-Rupununi Corridor is one of the largest intact forest landscapes in the Americas.

The funding will help secure legal protections for the corridor, including defined boundaries and safeguards against mining and industrial logging. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are central to the effort, with projects designed to uphold their rights and involve them in conservation planning.

President Ali emphasized that forest stewardship is central to Guyana’s development model, stating that conservation efforts will support sustainable livelihoods and benefit future generations. The government has worked with Indigenous groups and other stakeholders to advance these goals.

The donors see the pledge as a foundation for achieving the 30x30 target, which requires sustained investment and collaboration. They plan to explore durable financing arrangements and strengthen public institutions responsible for conservation.

The initiative is being implemented through conservation organizations and other partners in Guyana, in collaboration with the government, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. The donors invite additional public and private funders to join the effort.