Georgetown: The Government of Guyana has committed to signing a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) in the latter part of 2016 to facilitate greater market access for its timber.
As part of the VPA process, the EU and Guyana successfully concluded the third negotiation session on April 16, 2015.
Guyana was represented at this session by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG), a multi-stakeholder group comprising representatives of the private sector, indigenous bodies and Government agencies selected through a participatory process.
At this negotiation session, the parties committed to maintaining the momentum to reach an agreement that considers the views of all relevant stakeholders.
The parties also committed to further promoting the identification of synergies among Forest Law and Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) and the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) processes.
Additionally, the parties agreed to continue examining the framework under which these initiatives can be further integrated and be mutually supportive.
Both parties acknowledged the progress that has been made since the last negotiation session and during this session, including the revision of the joint roadmap.
It was agreed that the next negotiation session would be held in Brussels in November 2015.
The Government of Guyana formally entered into negotiation with the EU for a VPA in December 2012.
The VPA is a key element of the EU’s FLEGT Action Plan. A VPA with the EU would facilitate increased market access for Guyana’s timber into the lucrative EU market.
The FLEGT VPA process also provides an opportunity for Guyana to further strengthen and mainstream its consultation and engagement process to enhance forest governance, improve legal compliance and build in-country capacity for community engagement in forest policy development and implementation.
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