Guyana, April 23, 2025 – The government will table the long-anticipated Oil Pollution, Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Bill 2025 in the National Assembly next Monday.

The bill establishes a modern and comprehensive legal framework to prevent oil spills, enhance national preparedness, ensure timely and effective response, and hold responsible parties accountable for damages caused.

The proposed legislation, referred to as the ‘Oil Spill’ Bill, was outlined by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’ on Tuesday evening.

With the expansion of Guyana’s oil and gas industry, a strong legislative system is needed to protect the environment and ensure everyone involved in petroleum activities operates safely.

And according to the AG, this bill “ensures that every person and or entity involved in any petroleum activities, including drilling, exploring, producing, storing, handling, transportation of petroleum products, oil and gas, et cetera, shall be held to the highest standards of operational safety and environmental responsibility.”

“The bill also enshrines liability for those who may be responsible for any form of oil spilling or any negligent oil operations that lead to damages of any kind,” he explained.

The bill specifically protects the right of ordinary people or communities to take these companies to the High Court if their property, livelihood, or the environment they depend on is harmed.

The bill was crafted in keeping with international standards for the petroleum industry, reflecting its modernness and effectiveness.

“You will recall that it took quite a while in preparation and that’s because of its complex nature and because of the care that had to be exercised when treating with this bill. Once the bill is laid in the National Assembly…it would be circulated widely,” Minister Nandlall noted.  

This legislative move forms part of the administration’s broader agenda to modernise Guyana’s legal framework, with several other bills also expected to be tabled next week.

Since 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has enacted or reformed several laws related to petroleum activities, including the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), the Petroleum Activities Bill and the Local Content Act.

KINGSTON, April 1 (JIS): On April 2, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through its Early Stimulation Programme (ESP), will join the global community in observing World Autism Day.

To raise awareness, the ESP will host an Autism Symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, on Wednesday, April 2, focusing on promoting inclusion, raising public awareness, celebrating the abilities of persons with disabilities (PWDs), and emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and intervention at showcasing the unique talents of these remarkable children.

“This symposium is not just an event; it is a movement to change perceptions. We want everyone, especially future educators, to understand that these children can reach their highest potential with the right support and opportunities,” Director of the ESP in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Antonica Gunter Gayle, told JIS News in an interview.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 “Our children with disabilities are children first; therefore, they must be included in all spheres of society,” she emphasised.                                                                                                                                                                                                               Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., will be the guest speaker at the symposium.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This year’s theme, ‘Celebrating Neurodiversity: Promoting Inclusion’, centres around  the importance of inclusion, respect, and celebration of children with disabilities.   Mrs. Gunter Gayle articulated a vision in which children with special needs, including those with Autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, are afforded the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.

“The goal for a child with disabilities is the same as for any child – security, love and a normal environment where they can thrive,” Mrs. Gunter Gayle added.

Notable participants at the symposium include UNICE; the Ministry of Health and Wellness; the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; local educational institutions, such as the University of Technology (UTech) Jamaica, The Mico University College, Shortwood and St. Joseph’s Teachers’ Colleges.

The afternoon segment will offer limited screening opportunities for children from the ESP wait list, along with individual counselling sessions for parents and caregivers seeking guidance and resources.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined as a developmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behaviour, Given its unique spectrum, autism presents both challenges and strengths in each individual.

The ESP has been instrumental in changing lives, successfully transitioning special needs children into the primary education system each year, while serving more than 3,000 children across Jamaica.

Contact: Judith A. Hunter

Release: JIS

Photo Caption: Director of the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Antonica Gunter Gayle.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

Baku, Azerbaijan, November 22, 2024 – The United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29) marked a significant milestone in the global effort to integrate health and Climate action, to protect health in the face of catastrophic occurrences.

At the heart of the progress was a high-level event, COP Presidencies bringing Health at the Centre of Climate Agenda, hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), Spain, Azerbaijan and the COP29 Presidency.

Leaders underscored the need for continuity and synergy in Climate-health initiatives, with a critical emphasis on translating past pledges into action.

A highlight of the COP29 proceedings was the signing of the Letter of Intent officially establishing the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition for Climate and Health.

COP29 is building on commitments made at previous UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs).

“This initiative unites the visionary leadership of five COP presidencies that span this critical time for action, underscoring a commitment to elevate health within the Climate agenda.” Said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“This coalition represents a collective will to prioritise Climate and health now and for the future,” he said.

The coalition, co-led by Azerbaijan, Brazil, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in partnership with the WHO, aims to provide a long-standing framework to drive impactful health outcomes from past Climate commitments. By bridging efforts across COP presidencies, the coalition reinforces sustained action and ensures ongoing momentum on critical health priorities as COP30 approaches.

Aligned with the goals of the Baku COP Presidencies Continuity Coalition, the event underscored progress achieved since the first Health Day at COP28, with key discussions focused on, operationaliaing Climate-Health Financing, the guiding principles for financing Climate and Health Solutions were further solidified as a framework to engage and amplify partnerships at the national level.

Efforts to enhance resource mobilisation and technical assistance were highlighted, ensuring greater resilience in health systems globally. Showcasing Climate-health synergy success stories, various nations shared success stories exemplifying integrated health and Climate strategies, inspiring broader adoption of effective approaches that can be scaled globally. These initiatives illustrated the measurable benefits of multilateral and bilateral partnerships in addressing the health impacts of Climate change.

With these outcomes, COP29 sets the stage for an era where health considerations are seamlessly integrated into climate policies, aiming for a healthier, more resilient future for all.