A TECHNICAL team from Norway is expected to visit Guyana later this month to engage the authorities here on REDD+ opportunities and the Joint Concept Note, a joint initiative which sets the framework on how the two nations can work together to provide the world with a relevant replicable REDD+ model.According to a release from the Minister of Natural Resources, the ministry is preparing to host the technical team from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative from April 26 to May 4, 2016.
During the visit, officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Office of Climate Change(OCC), the Project Management Office (PMO), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and other stakeholders will engage the Norwegians on how to improve capacity in executing the Joint Concept Note and taking advantage of REDD+ opportunities.

According to the release, since assuming office last May, the Government of Guyana has been making steady progress towards creating a stronger agreement and better outcomes for the country’s green growth.

The Government has since facilitated several meetings and discussions with Norwegian officials. In a recent exchange between Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Norway’s new Minister of Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, the latter official recognized the efforts being made by the local authorities. Helgesen said, “I would like to congratulate you on your initiative to review and make public all information on logging concessions.”

Helgesen said he was “encouraged to hear that the Guyanese Government officials had announced their intent to review the Amerindian Act in close consultation with affected stakeholders.”

According to the release, Minister Trotman, who has responsibility for the Guyana/Norway Agreement, is encouraged by the progress to date, and looks forward to the visit, which will continue to advance the partnership in a way that is supportive of Guyana’s “green growth” vision.