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.