THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of Guyana and the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Land and Forestry Management of Suriname will strengthen collaboration to share resources for planning, institutional strengthening and building technical capacity between the neighbouring countries.

This was agreed  between Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and Minister of Spatial Planning, Land and Forestry Management Ginmardo Kromosoeto during Minister Persaud’s recent official visit to Suriname.
Discussions were centred on issues related to the environment and natural resources, while the dissimilarities with respect to the areas of responsibility of the two ministers and ministries were noted.
Already, Guyana and Suriname are sharing experiences in the area of training in Reduce Impact Logging through the Guyana Forestry Commission’s Forestry Training Centre. Guyana is also providing technical support on work done in the area of MRVS/REDD+ and the recent Voluntary Partnership Agreement on the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.
Both ministers agreed that since both ministries are relatively new institutions, much benefit could be derived from direct exchanges between technical personnel. It was further agreed that the first meeting will be convened in Guyana (in East Berbice) in March 2013 and will alternate between border communities.
Additionally, it was agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding will be established to guide cooperation and exchanges between the respective ministries which will be discussed and developed at the inaugural meeting.
According to a statement from the Natural Resources Ministry, the two ministers highlighted the major projects that were being undertaken within their respective portfolios and countries – especially as they related to issues such as forestry, reserve and nature parks and land use management.  It was also agreed that there is  need for a ‘wildlife’ meeting involving their two countries and French Guiana to pursue the possibility of convening such a meeting at the earliest convenience.
Accompanying Minister Persaud were Mr. Shyam Nokta, Adviser to the President and Head of the Climate Change Office, Office of the President; Mr. Rickford Vieira, Commissioner (ag), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission; Mr. Keith George, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname and Mrs. Lesley Dowridge-Collins, First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Guyana.