Forest Sector Operators In Mabaruma Engaged On EU Compliance Requirements

–ahead of 2026 FLEGT licensing

IN an effort to strengthen forest governance and enhance market access for Guyanese timber products, several forest sector operators in Mabaruma participated in a European Union-funded compliance outreach session on Monday.

The event was implemented through the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Guyana.

The outreach was hosted by the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Secretariat of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), with collaborative support from key national agencies including the Ministry of Labour (MOL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

As Guyana moves steadily towards full implementation of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and the expected issuance of FLEGT licences by 2026, the session provided forest operators with critical information on the legal and operational requirements needed to access both local and EU markets.

Labour Officer Ms. Denise Duncan, alongside technical representatives from the GFC and partner institutions, led discussions on key areas of compliance, among them labour standards, environmental regulations, and social security obligations, all of which are essential components of the FLEGT VPA framework.

The outreach is part of a broader national effort to ensure that stakeholders across Guyana’s forest sector are prepared to meet international legality standards, and benefit from improved market access, once FLEGT licences come into effect.

The FLEGT VPA between Guyana and the EU aims to promote sustainable forest management, combat illegal logging, and ensure that timber exported to the EU comes from legal sources.
The licensing system will provide verified assurance to buyers in the EU, boosting the competitiveness of Guyana’s timber products on the global stage.

Additional outreach sessions are expected to continue in other forest-based regions, as the government and its partners work to build capacity and awareness throughout the sector.

Source: Guyana Chronicle (Adapted from Guyana-EU FLEGT Facebook)

Fourth Joint Monitoring and Review Committee

The JMRC was convened in Georgetown, Guyana, on 04 April 2025. This third JMRC meeting was chaired by the Hon. Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana, and Mr René van Nes, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana.

The Technical Committee of the JMRC, hereinafter called the “Technical Committee,” convened on 01 and 02 April 2024 between the EU and Guyana (hereinafter called the Parties). It was co-chaired by Mr James Singh for Guyana, and Ms Layla El Khadraoui for the EU, with the participation of the VPA stakeholder observers. Other Guyana government representatives, EU officials, and VPA stakeholder observers attended. The conclusions of the Technical Committee are captured in this Aide Mémoire.

The Parties committed to making the Aide Mémoire, supporting documents, and presentations public.

The Parties agreed on the agenda of the meeting and on drafting this Aide Mémoire of the third JMRC.

Aide Mémoire, 04 April 2025 | Download

Day 1 Presentations, Reports and Documents

  1. Progress Report 2012-2024 | Download
  2. Independent Audit – Background and Next Steps | Download
  3. Draft VPA Capacity Strengthening Plan/Strategy | Download
  4. Updates on the Development of the FLEGT Complaints Mechanism | Download
  5. Role and Requirements of the Government Coordination Body (GCB) According to the VPA | Download
  6. IICA Project Scope | Download
  7. Review of the Regulatory Framework and Relevant Procedures of GTLAS Agencies | Download
  8. The Requirements of the TLAS versus PEFC | Download

Day 2 Presentations, Reports and Documents

  1. Data Collection for the Baseline of the EU-Guyana VPA Impact Monitoring Frameworks | Download
  2. A Review of the Regulatory Framework – GTLAS Agencies | Download
  3. EFITAP Guyana Updates | Download
  4. AFD and OCA Global – Operational support to the FLEGT VPA Secretariat in Guyana | Download
  5. Development and Implementation of the Digital Wood Tracking System (dWTS) in Guyana | Download
  6. DAI Global – Support to Guyana Forestry Commission VPA/GTLAS | Download
  7. AFD EU FLEGT VPA Programme | Download
  8. IICA Support to FLEGT Joint Implementation Framework | Download

Guyana, EU sign Aide Mémoire at 4th JMRC Meeting of the FLEGT VPA and 3rd Political Meeting of the Forest Partnership

The Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable forest management and legal timber trade today, April 4, by signing an Aide Mémoire during the fourth Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC) Meeting of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and the third Political Meeting of the Forest Partnership. The event, which took place at Duke Lodge in Georgetown, was co-chaired by the Hon. Vickram Bharrat, M.P., Minister of Natural Resources, and Ambassador René van Nes, Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana.

The meeting signifies the strong ongoing political engagement between Guyana and the EU to ensure Guyana’s forests are managed sustainably, benefiting the environment and local communities.

Both parties officially adopted the  JMRC’s Rules of Procedure and the Working Procedures of Arbitration. The JMRC plays a pivotal role in overseeing the VPA’s implementation, ensuring that Guyana’s timber products meet the legality standards required for access to the EU market. The committee is responsible for facilitating information exchange between Guyana and the EU, monitoring the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System’s (GTLAS) progress, and addressing any issues related to implementing the FLEGT licensing scheme—the system used by the EU to ensure the export of legal timber and timber products.

Additionally, the conclusions of the 3rd Political Working Group of the Forest Partnership were signed with the endorsement of the first Forest Partnership Progress Report, covering 2023-2024, reflecting the ongoing political commitment to the Forest Partnership objectives.

Highlighting the EU’s support, Ambassador van Nes said, “The rewards of this commitment far outweigh the difficulties. By fully embracing FLEGT, Guyana will secure better market access, attract responsible investment, and solidify its reputation as a global leader in sustainable forest management. The European Union remains a steadfast partner in this process.”

Guyana is the first South American country to implement the FLEGT VPA, with the first FLEGT license aimed for issuance by the end of 2026. Guyana and the EU negotiated the terms of the VPA through a collaborative process, beginning in December 2012. The first JMRC was convened on June 29, 2023, following Guyana and the EU’s signing of the agreement in December 2022 and the VPA’s ratification in Guyana’s parliament in April 2023.

The Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, signed in November 2022, outlines targets for sustainable forest management and conservation by 2030.

Together, the Forest Partnership and the FLEGT VPA aim to strengthen Guyana’s forest bio-economy, encourage public and private investments, and support climate and biodiversity goals while upholding the rights of local communities and Indigenous peoples.

Guyana receives equipment to support EU FLEGT programme implementation

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), in collaboration with the European Union, officially received a range of equipment on Wednesday, including vehicles and IT items, as part of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) programme.
The acquisition of these items is a significant step towards implementing activities under the European Union Voluntary Partnership Agreement (EU FLEGT VPA), which Guyana signed with the EU in 2022. This partnership aims to strengthen forest governance and promote sustainable forestry practices in the country.

The GFC, alongside the FLEGT Secretariat, is tasked with executing the implementation process. This includes collaborating with forest sector operators and other government agencies to ensure compliance with the legality definition outlined in the agreement. The ultimate goal is to prepare for the issuance of FLEGT licences by 2026, or as soon as feasible.

The receipt of this equipment marks an important milestone in Guyana’s efforts to enhance its forestry sector and align with international standards for sustainable resource management.

Source: Guyana Chronicle

Data-Driven Compliance: GFC Officers Receive Training from the FLEGT Secretariat, DAI Global and the EU in Advanced Forestry Analysis

The FLEGT Secretariat, with the support of DAI Global Inc and financed by the European Union, hosted a three-day training on Data Analysis Techniques for Forestry Compliance from February 26 to 28 at the GFC Multiplex. Led by Dr. Haimwant Persaud, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Sustainable Forest Management Expert, 14 Forestry Officers attended the training from the Forest Monitoring Division (FMD), Forest Resource Management (FRM) Division, the FLEGT Secretariat, and the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Unit.

Dr. Haimwant Persaud facilitating the Data Analysis Techniques Training.

The training focused on enhancing data-driven decision-making for forestry compliance, with participants learning how to:

  1. Understand the role of data analysis in detecting non-compliance and improving regulatory enforcement.
  2. Apply statistical techniques and data manipulation methods to analyze forestry data effectively.
  3. Detect outliers and anomalies using GFC data to identify suspicious activities.
  4. Leverage time series analysis to track forestry trends over time.
  5. Utilize visualization tools such as charts, graphs, and pivot tables to highlight inconsistencies.
  6. Implement standardized data analysis procedures for consistent compliance verification.
  7. Develop action plans and response strategies for detected anomalies.
  8. Work collaboratively with field staff to strengthen compliance monitoring efforts.
  9. Automate compliance reporting using Excel templates for more efficient data verification.

By the workshop’s close, participants were equipped with the practical tools and procedures necessary to conduct routine compliance assessments and respond swiftly to irregularities, supporting sustainable and transparent forest governance.