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The FLEGT Secretariat convened the second National Implementation Working Group (NIWG) meeting on Tuesday, March 25, bringing together key government, private-sector, civil society, and Indigenous stakeholders to advance Guyana’s implementation of the VPA.
Participating agencies included the Ministry of Labour & Manpower Planning Guyana, the EPA – Guyana, the Guyana_Revenue_Authority, and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Stakeholder representation also featured the Forest Products Association (FPA), Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development, Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association Ltd, National Toshaos Council (NTC), National Community Forestry Cooperative Society Limited (NCFCSL), and the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOOIP).
Opening the session, Commissioner Edward Goberdhan and Head of the FLEGT Secretariat Kenny David reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to strengthening forest governance and progressing toward FLEGT licensing. Members were reminded of their critical role in ensuring effective, coordinated implementation.
Discussions focused on key technical and strategic priorities, including:
– Progress on VPA implementation
– Independent audit processes
– Outcomes from the NIWG Retreat and updates to the Joint Implementation Framework (JIF) Workplan
– Development of the digital Wood Tracking System (dWTS) and Legality Application
– Strengthening GTLAS processes, including data submission and GRA/NIS compliance requirements for Annual Verification of Compliance (AVC)
– Communications updates and upcoming study tour
The NIWG remains a central multi-stakeholder platform supporting VPA implementation, coordination, and accountability across Guyana’s forestry sector.
Date
March 05, 2026
Venue
Community Area
Place
Orealla
