…200 exhibitors, 17 countries lined up to participate

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024, Kurt Baboolall
The Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024 is gearing to place the spotlight not just on energy, but on how other sectors can join the conversation to shape the trajectory of a sustainable future.

This flagship event will, from February 19-22, serve as a catalyst for stakeholders around the world to exchange ideas, propositions and plans for new investments.
Speaking with Guyana Times in an interview on Friday, Kurt Baboolall, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024, outlined that the conference will stand on the premise of its theme: “Fuelling Transformation and Modernisation”. In this regard, participation is being encouraged from key players in various sectors: such as ICT, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, ports, hospitality, marine, labour, education and manpower, to shape the trajectory of a sustainable future.
This event also ties into Government’s strides in promoting sustainability across all industries while avoiding the Dutch Disease and realising the potential which each industry brings to the table, Baboolall has said.

He reiterated that the energy sector does not operate in isolation. “The energy sector cannot operate in a silo, as it is not isolated. It depends on the health, agriculture, ICT and other sectors to move along; and there is just a natural cohabitation…,” he said.
“We’d really like to have everyone included in the Expo, energy in Guyana is for everyone; we would really like persons to leave with some value-added. If you’re a career-minded entrepreneur (or) young professional, come in and interact with these companies; this is the whole reason for the platform,” the CEO outlined.
There presently is great interest in the energy sector and in employment in the various fields, and Baboolall has said there is great potential for networking and learning more about these opportunities.
“The platform is one for learning and networking. If you are interested, come out to the conference and exhibition; be a part of it,” he encouraged.
Some 17 countries and 200-plus exhibitors have confirmed their participation in this massive exposition.

Among the high-level foreign attendees would be the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi; Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Edward Davis; Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, and Caricom Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett.
Among the attractions would be an International Food Festival in which persons can sample not just Guyanese delicacies, but dishes from Mexico, Dominican Republic, India, and the United Kingdom, among other nations.

Several important segments planned are tailored for businesses and youths, among other cross sections. A showpiece will also depict the journey of Guyana from first oil, and beyond – until the end.
“We’re looking at just about 200 exhibitors. We had to develop a new space just to accommodate some persons; so, the response has been very significant,” Baboolall said.
For more information, persons are invited to visit the website at guyanaenergy.gy. Tickets are on sale at the Marriott Hotel. (G12)

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Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana announced an agreement for Hess to purchase high quality carbon credits for a minimum of $750 million between 2022 and 2032 directly from the Government of Guyana.  

Carbon credits are mechanisms used to reduce CO2 emissions. Carbon credits are generated by the avoidance of CO2 emissions. Guyana’s extensive natural rainforests provide an avenue to remove substantial quantities of CO2 from the atmosphere. 

This agreement will serve to support Guyana’s efforts to protect the country’s vast forests and provide capital to improve the lives of Guyana’s citizens through investments made by the Government as part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.  

If you would like to learn more about Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy click here:
https://lcds.gov.gy/ 

Guyana’s President, His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali stated, “In 2009, Guyana produced the first low carbon development strategy from a developing country. As one of only nine national jurisdictions in the Amazon Basin, we said long ago that national or jurisdiction-scale action on forests, coupled with access to global private finance, could create solutions that benefit the peoples of forest-rich countries while also achieving global climate goals.” 

President Ali was joined by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and John Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation for a signing ceremony to commemorate this historic agreement. 

The multi-year agreement is for 37.5 million REDD+ jurisdictional carbon credits (current and future issuances). These credits will be on the ART (Architecture for REDD+ Transactions) registry and will be independently verified to represent permanent and additional emissions reductions under ART’s REDD+ Environmental Excellence Standard 2.0 (TREES). 

Avoiding global deforestation is foundational to the Paris Agreement’s aim of limiting the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C and was one of the major commitments made at the COP26 climate summit, where more than 130 countries, including Guyana, pledged to end deforestation by 2030.  

Guyana’s more than 18 million hectares of forests are estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Through Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, the country has a roadmap for preserving its forests, while growing its economy and creating a development pathway that is diverse and includes opportunities for all Guyanese citizens. 

The purchase of these carbon credits is an important part of Hess’ commitment to support global efforts to address climate change and for the company to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The agreement adds to the company’s ongoing and successful emissions reduction efforts, which are described in Hess’ annual Sustainability Reports. 

If you would like to learn more about Hess’ sustainability reports, you can click here:
https://www.hess.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports 

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, said the Government intends to continuously bolster investments in human capital to build local content capacity and foster a sustainable future for all Guyanese.

He made the remarks while attending the official launch of the US$20m 3T EnerMech Guyana Training Centre of Excellence and graduation ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

The launch of the petroleum training facility, the Prime Minister noted, would enhance Guyana’s human resource development.

“A crucial factor to the success of our nation lies in our people. We must ensure that we utilise the benefits of the oil and gas sector to build a bright future for this, the next generation of Guyanese and beyond. To do that, we must undertake a culture of ownership, a culture where our local content – our people – can thrive and that includes within the workforce itself.”

The training facility, Guyana’s premier in-country, state-of-the-art facility is a collaborative venture between 3t EnerMech, Orinduik Development Incorporated and Windsor Technologies.

Persons will be taught through blended learning software and technology, and via fully immersive simulators for high-hazard activity learning.

CUTTING EDGE DEVELOPMENT

Prime Minister Phillips, during his address, lauded the drive and innovation of the facility and those responsible for its establishment.

“As the first entity with approval to deliver OPITO (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation)-accredited training to the oil and gas sector in Guyana, our human resources are now strengthened at a global standard to actively and competently participate in the building of this new and abundant area of the country. With an industry that requires high skills and knowledge, it is reassuring to know that these capacities can be imparted to our people without having to leave their home soil.”

LOCAL CONTENT AT WORK

The Senior Government Official added that the “benefit of strong partnerships can never be understated, for these are the binds that allow goals that may otherwise seem unattainable to be achieved”.

He said that the Government would collaborate with 3t EnerMech to offer a blended technical and vocational training programme for Guyanese interested in careers in the oil and gas industry through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

“Our Government has continually engaged in the training of our workforce to be able to occupy positions in the oil and gas sector and contribute to the building of this sector, which extends to the development of Guyana. In the past, much of this training was conducted away from home, but today, and from hereon, our people will be able to access such training right here in Guyana.”

In conjunction with the launch, the graduation ceremony, for the first group of students, was also held.

To this end, the Prime Minister charged the graduates to put their skills to use.

“I congratulate the first cohort of participants who underwent training at this facility. May you take your skills and put them to their fullest use as you proceed in your daily tasks of helping to build a better Guyana.”

He said that as a people, Guyana’s success depends on proper resource management, transparency and accountability.

The training programme provides a level one qualification from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and is divided into three phases: pre-learning assessment and safe passport, which are completed online, and the technical pathway, which is the practical journey, which is completed at the 3T EnerMech headquarters.