As the curtains closed on the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit 2025, the spotlight shifted from panels and presentations to the living, breathing forest at the heart of Guyana.
Delegates and guests wrapped up the summit with a day-long visit to the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development – a model of sustainable forest use, biodiversity research, and Indigenous collaboration. For many, it was a chance to connect with the very landscapes and communities they had spent days discussing.
The day’s itinerary featured several guided eco-tours, each offering a different perspective of the forest’s richness. One of the highlights was the journey to Turtle Mountain, a forested peak located just 15 minutes downstream from the Iwokrama River Lodge by boat. From there, visitors embarked on an intense two-and-a-half-hour hike to the summit. Though the trail posed a gentle challenge, the panoramic view at the top – with the rainforest stretching endlessly in every direction and the Essequibo River weaving through the canopy – made every step worth it.
Along the way, hikers encountered black spider monkeys and spotted a variety of tropical birds, adding a thrilling wildlife element to the experience.
Other visitors opted for the “Close by Trails” tour, a slow-paced walk that highlighted the medicinal uses of local plants, guided by community tour leaders. Another group went further upstream, where the experience was more scenic and river-based, showcasing the area’s rich vegetation and tranquil rapids.
Back at the River Lodge, cultural pride took centre stage. Youth from the nearby Fair View Village shared traditional Makushi dances and songs, bringing stories of the land and people to life through performance. Guests were also treated to a cassava bread demonstration, where local women prepared the staple food using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Tourism Manager at Iwokrama, Michael Patterson, emphasised the significance of these experiences not just for visitors, but for the centre’s broader mission.
“Iwokrama plays a very crucial role as a mandate and the role of the administrative use of our model as sustainable use of forests,” Patterson said. He added: “Because we’re not dealing with just the forest, we also need people and that makes us think it’s very, very important to have an international form of dedication, to have a foresight of what’s happening in the culture.”
For many summit participants, the Iwokrama visit served as a powerful reminder that biodiversity is not just something to be discussed – it’s something to be lived, protected, and passed on. It exists in the trees, in the rivers, in the culture, and in the people who call the forest home.
Some of the delegates enjoying the river tour
Some of the delegates on arrival at Iwokrama
