FLEGT VPA

Committees

The implementation phase will have supporting structures, referred to as committees, responsible for developing the activities roadmap for the implementation phase and beyond. These structures will also manage and coordinate the activities within the roadmap. These structures will have representatives from Guyana, the EU, Government ministries and agencies and various stakeholder groups.

National Implementation Working Group

The National Implementation Working Group (NIWG), which replaced the NTWG in 2018 after the initialling of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), is a multi-stakeholder group. It forms part of the supporting structure for the Implementation Phase of the VPA and consists of representatives from Government agencies and ministries, and stakeholders from the private sector, civil society and Indigenous NGOs.

The NIWG has contributed to developing the Roadmap for Guyana and the Joint Implementation Framework (JIF), which guides the Implementation Phase.

The Working Group acts as a focal point for effective communication and information exchange on progress in the Implementation Phase and

Works with the FLEGT Secretariat, the Guyana Government Coordination Body (GCB) and the Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC);
Coordinates all Workplan activities in the JIF, overseeing their implementation with and through the continuous engagement of stakeholders;
Provides strategic direction to JMRC representatives;
Proposes agenda items for JMRC meetings;
Holds regular and periodic meetings;
Receives from and provides inputs to the FLEGT Secretariat and the GCB when formed.

Members of NIWG

Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ministry of Labour
National Toshaos’ Council
Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) – Customs Division
Forest Products Association
Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association – Wood Products Subgroup
Small Loggers Association
Indigenous NGO representative
Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA)
National Insurance Board (NIB)
International NGOs

Joint Monitoring and Review Committee

A Pre-Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (Pre-JMRC) will be established to guide the initial implementation of the VPA. It will be co-chaired by senior officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on behalf of Guyana and the Delegation of the European Union (EU).

The main tasks of the Pre-JMRC are:

To facilitate the exchange of information between Guyana and the EU.
To serve as the platform to discuss planning and preparation of the implementation of the Agreement before it enters into force.
To monitor progress in the design and implementation of the GTLAS and the Agreement.

When the Agreement formally enters into force after its ratification, the Pre-JMRC will be replaced by the Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC).

Functions of the JMRC will include:

Conducting an independent assessment of GTLAS. The evaluation will determine whether the GTLAS fulfils its functions.
Proposing the date on which the FLEGT Licensing Scheme should be fully operational.
Receiving notification from Guyana or the EU if either party suspects or has evidence of any circumvention or irregularity in implementing the Licensing Scheme. Then identify any required follow-up.
Developing and adopting the Implementation Schedule and a monitoring and evaluation framework to track the schedule’s progress.
Reviewing and commenting on the GTLAS implementation guidelines, verification manuals and the methodology and criteria.
Examining complaints relating to the FLEGT Licensing scheme.
Maintaining records made to the Annexes and minutes of relevant meetings with stakeholder groups to track changes and decisions.
Making recommendations to help attain the Agreement’s objectives.
Establishing working groups as needed to address any aspects of the Agreement’s implementation requiring special attention.
Preparing and publishing Annual Reports on the Agreement’s implementation.
Receiving and discussing proposals from Guyana or the EU seeking to amend the Agreement or its Annexes. Further, submit recommendations to both parties on any proposed amendments to this Agreement. Also, adopt any amendments.
Handling all questions associated with the Agreement’s implementation, following Guyana and/or the EU proposal.
Seeking an acceptable solution where there are any differences of opinion between Guyana or the EU concerning the Agreement’s application and/or interpretation.

Members of JMRC

List coming soon

Government Coordination Body

The Government Coordination Body (GCB) will be the coordination body for Government ministries and agencies involved in implementing the VPA Agreement. It will be established and formalized through a Government directive.

GCB members will be selected based on a cabinet decision to ensure participation and representation on the GCB is at the highest level.

The functions of the Government Coordination Body will include:

Ensuring effective implementation of the Agreement in keeping with each agency’s legislative and policy mandate;
Holding regular, periodic and ad hoc meetings to discuss the operationalization of the GTLAS;
Examining the current procedures of Government ministries and agencies that relate to the operation of the GTLAS to identify and address any gaps and overlaps in those procedures;
Contributing to the development and implementation of the GTLAS;
Conducting a continuous review of the development and implementation of the GTLAS;
Recommending improvements and resolving issues that may arise with the functioning of the GTLAS;
Developing the GTLAS verification procedures based on an analysis of risks of non-compliance to ensure economies of scale and coordination among Government ministries and agencies; and
Co-opting with any other Government entities when necessary.

During the implementation phase, the GFC will develop MoUs or other relevant arrangements with each government ministry and agency to define protocols and procedures to exchange data and information.

Members of GCB