His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali oversaw the signing of a financing agreement between the European Commission and Guyana for the protection and restoration of Guyana’s mangrove forests at State House.

The signing on Wednesday evening was done between Guyana’s Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, the Honourable Dr Ashni Singh and the First Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Frans Timmermans.

The agreement is for a period of four years and is valued at €4.6m.

During brief remarks, President Ali praised the European Union for being one of Guyana’s strongest partners in protecting the country’s sea defence and coastline.

He explained that the agreement started in Egypt at the Conference of Parties (COP) 27 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

A number of Cabinet ministers, government officials and the Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, HE Rene Van Nes were also at the event.