ABSTRACT
Strengthening institutions and improving institutional coordination are essential for sustainable development. The problems facing all of the institutional structures have been a reflection of the sorry state of the economy. The crucial development came directly as a response to the environment disaster at Omai in 1995. International aid agencies, emerging environment Non Governmental Organisation in Guyana and the government reacted vociferously to the event and the public profile of environment concerns was raised considerably. The Guyana Natural Resources Agency was established as an autonomous body under the control of an Executive Chairman. It was charged with the responsibility of developing the country’s natural resources. In 1992 the Guyana Environment Monitoring and Conservation Organisation was formed. Attitudes towards the environment have inevitably been shaped by history and geography. Environment institutions in Guyana as they have evolved over the years were set up essentially as a monitoring and control entity whereas the key functions needed to be education and coordination.
