GUYANA FORESTRY COMMISSION - Tasreef Khan - Presentation on

GUYANA FORESTRY COMMISSION

             Presentation on:

“Guyana’s Engagement with EU FLEGT VPA”
             (Progress to date)

             Tasreef Khan

Background to Guyana’s Engagement with EU
                         FLEGT
• The Government of Guyana has, over the decades
  developed various programmes aimed towards the
  sustainable utilization and management of its forests
  with the aim of creating livlihood opportunities for the
  people of Guyana.

• In December 2009, the GoG wrote to the EU and
  requested to be provided with information on the EU
  FLEGT Programme.

Initial Work on Exploring EU FLEGT

• An initial mission was conducted over the period 10-
  19th March, 2010 by a team from the European Forest
  Institute (EFI) and the European Union facilitated
  preliminary discussions with key stakeholders in
  Guyana
• During the 28-29th September, 2010, the GFC, on
  behalf of the Government of Guyana, coordinated an
  Exploratory Workshop on the EU FLEGT Programme
  with the primary purpose of providing stakeholders
  with the opportunity to air their ideas and concerns on
  the potential impacts of the EU FLEGT programme.

Steps taken in 2011
• The GFC requested that more specific information be provided
  in the form of an assessment of Guyana forest monitoring and
  legality system.
• A Fact Finding Mission by the European Forest Institute aimed
  at collecting data, interviewing key stakeholders, visiting field
  operations .
• Preliminary findings were presented to the GFC, EU
  Delegation and other stakeholders with the aim of :
   - Providing Guyana with specific information on the
        application and relevance of the country’s current
        systems of legality and monitoring with respect to the
        FLEGT VPA requirement and ;
   - Advising Guyana on ways forward to develop their
        Legality Assurance System (LAS).

Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback Sought

• On 25th July, 2011, the Assessment Report was
  forwarded to the MSSC.

• Additionally, the report was also sent directly to key
  stakeholders and written request was made for
  feedback to be sent to GFC. Feedback was sought by
  25th August, 2011.

Engagement with the National Toshao’s Council

  On July 27, 2011, the GFC delivered a presentation to
  the National Toshao’s Council where the following
  was done:

• Printed copies of the assessment report was distributed
  to each Toshao.
• Feedback from villages and the NTC on the EU
  FLEGT was invited.
• The GFC offered to facilitate visits to any village
  requesting additional information on the EU FLEGT.

GFC’s Follow Up Steps in Early 2012

• Report summarising all stakeholders views from various
  engagements.
• Policy Options and Implications outlined
• Recommendation made for each option

Policy Decision Taken

• In March 2012, a Policy decision was taken to enter
  into formal negotiations with the EU on a VPA.

• In July 2012, a Joint Press Statement was issued at a
  Press Conference held by the GoG and EU.

Preparatory Work for Commencement of Negotiations

• National Preparatory Workshop was held resulting in
  the formation of a NTWG.
• ToRs developed for National Technical Working
  Group and Sub Committees – for stakeholder feedback.
• Meetings of the National Technical Working Group
  held in September 2012.
• Several meetings were held with Stakeholder Groups
  and the NTWG
• First negotiation session held in December 2012.
• Road map was agreed upon for the EU FLEGT
  process.

Continuation of work by the NTWG and other
               Stakeholder Groups
• Indigenous Workshop in March 2013
- Participation from approximately 28 Amerindian
  Communities with approximately 130 persons present.
- Focus on Legality definition and TORs for
  Communication Strategy and scoping of Impact Study
• NTWG meets regularly as well as the relevant Sub
  Committees.
• Video Conferences held between the NTWG and EC.
• Stakeholder Constituency Groups also had scheduled
  meetings based on areas being developed (Amerindian
  NGOs, Guyana Gold and Diamonds Miners
  Association etc.)

Legality Definition

• Was drafted initially in March and comments were
  received from various stakeholders groups as well as
  the NTWG
• Indigenous Groups were given the opportunity to
  comment at Indigenous Workshop held in March 2013.
• Additionally, initial comments were also provided by
  the EU on the LD
• All comments were reviewed and an updated draft of
  the document is being finalised
• Will be disseminated for public comments after
  updates are completed

Product Scope

• The list of products which will be covered
  under the VPA has been proposed as
  follows. This list is subject to national
  consultation and feed back.
  Products                 Products Codes
  Logs                     4403
  Railway Sleepers         4406
  Sawnwood                 4407
  Veneer                   4408
  Parquet                  4409
  Plywood                  4412

Development of a Communication Strategy and
            Scoping of Impacts Study

• TORs were finalised after comments received at
  Indigenous People Workshop
• FAO subsequently approved monies for these two
  projects
• Applications are currently being reviewed for suitable
  consultant or team to carry out work

Additional Work being done
• ITTO monthly report are provided which summarises
  the progress made
• Roadmap was published as well as the First Aide
  Memoire of first negotiation session
• Contact list of wider stakeholder groups created and
  regular updates will be sent, including ITTO Report
• Wood Tracking System being documented to show
  flow of forest products
• Various Articles of the VPA being drafted and are to
  be circulated for comments by stakeholder groups.

Guyana’s Vision for the VPA

To further develop and strengthen Guyana’s existing
framework for forest legality and sustainable forest
management in a manner consistent with national
priorities, and which enhances Guyana’s forest
products’ market opportunities.

Main Objective of the VPA

To provide a forest legality framework
which supports forest management and
trade, whilst improving Guyana’s access to
international forest products markets. The
framework will aim to maintain and enhance
the partnership between all relevant parties
in line with National priorities.

Guyana’s Expectations of the VPA

•   Existing Systems: The VPA elements should seek to build on
    existing systems in Guyana in terms of forest legality and verification.

•   Proposed Agreements:
     – Will initially cover only exports to the EU for agreed forest
       products
     – Should be so structured, for at a later agreed date, if it is so
       desired by Guyana, agreed forest products to other destinations
       may be included.
     – Shall include export only to the EU through a chain of custody
       process that would be reflected in the Guyana LAS.
     – Recognise the different operation structure and legal requirements
       across various stakeholders, such as, Amerindians, Miners,
       Agriculture Operators, and State Forest Operators.
     – The VPA must take into consideration multiple land use in
       Guyana.

Elements of Negotiation Structure of the VPA

• Multi Stakeholder engagement;
• National Technical Working Group to be used as a
  vehicle to oversee the preparatory work in Guyana and
  the negotiations, and to conduct possible follow up as
  required, post negotiation.
• Should target and be beneficial to stakeholder groups.
• Should be mindful of Guyana's topography and cost of
  travel internally.
• Should be executed in a manner appropriate to allow
  for easy interpretation and understanding in local and
  indigenous communities.
• Capacity building at relevant levels in the VPA
  process, including the indigenous peoples and local
  communities

Proposed VPA Process for Guyana

           Thank you