President Jagdeo Visits Iwokrama Forest; Voices Support & Compliments

President Jagdeo speaking at the Iwokrama Field Station.

On 16 May 2004, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, became the first Head of State to visit the Iwokrama Forest in central Guyana. President Jagdeo lauded Iwokrama’s successes, noting that it continued to be a very positive international ambassador for Guyana.

President Jagdeo was accompanied by a large group of about 20 persons, including Iwokrama Trustee and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, the Hon. Carolyn Rodrigues, and the Hon. Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Public Service Management. President Jagdeo and the entourage visited the two key features of Iwokrama’s research and ecotourism initiatives, the Field Station at Kurupukari, and the Canopy Walkway at Maushiparu, North Rupununi.

During his visit, His Excellency Mr. Jagdeo referred to the strong working partnerships with local communities and Guyana and said he was particularly pleased that Iwokrama was able “to fit into, to understand, respect and appreciate our culture”. The President also expressed the hope that Iwokrama will soon export model systems for tropical rain forest use to British Commonwealth nations and other countries. To underscore his confidence in Iwokrama, President Jagdeo added that the Government is partnering with Iwokrama to secure increased support from international donors for Iwokrama.