– annual reports will be presented to Parliamentary Sub-Committee

THE Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) board will be responsible for oversight of the implementation of the National Forest Policy Statement (NFPS) and Plan, while annual progress reports will also be presented to the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Natural Resources for its review and consideration.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during his remarks at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) after receiving the official review of the National Forest Policy Statement (NFPS) and Plan.

The stakeholder meeting was held on Friday at the GFC, Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

The review began last February with nationwide consultations led by The Consultancy Group (TCG) through funding from Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) facilitation support.

Following Friday’s consultation, the documents will be presented to the Cabinet by Minister Trotman for approval and will be subsequently laid in the National Assembly.
He said the completion of this review is another step towards ensuring a well-managed and orderly forestry sector.

The NFPS and the draft NFP were last reviewed in 2011, Trotman said that the Guyana Forestry Commission Act, 2007, the Forests Act 2009, and a National Forest Policy Statement (NFPS) and draft National Forest Plan (NFP) guide the agency.
Since that review, he said plans for advancing the sector have progressed.

“Some plans include advancements in forest legality, including the engagement with the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (EU FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), progress in the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (MRVS), considerations for payment for ecosystem services and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Project (FCPF)…” he said.

He added that it is critical that Guyana has an updated Forest Policy and Forest Plan, Trotman said Guyana has publicly committed to a Green State Economy as described in the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

He explained that the revised Plan and Policy effectively embrace the GSDS and the framework laid out for the advancement of a green economy in Guyana.
Trotman said the aim is to have “a green, inclusive and prosperous Guyana that provides a good life for all its citizens, based on a sound education and social protection, low-carbon resilient development, green and decent jobs, economic opportunities, individual equality and political empowerment.”

Further, he said Guyana serves as a model of sustainable development and environmental security worldwide, demonstrating the transition to a decarbonised and resource-efficient economy that integrates the multi-ethnicity of the country and enhances the quality of life for all Guyanese.

Importantly also, he said that the revised National Forest Policy and Plan have been developed within the framework of the Constitution of Guyana and with regard to relevant international commitments on the environment, particularly as they relate to forests and biodiversity.

He explained that implementation of this Policy and Plan will be undertaken by the GFC and takes into account methodologies that would promote predictable, efficient, and timely outcomes.

He said the implementation process will, as a priority, identify and collaborate with indigenous and local communities.

He thanked the staff and GFC for their stewardship in the revision.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the GFC’s board, Jocelyn Dow, said the roles of the forest have evolved over the decades and it is a major part of the ecosystem. She noted that the responsibility of protection does not only lie with the GFC and that proper use of the forest is an important part of the nation’s patrimony.

She said the national consultation which recently ended after a number of years is a valid attempt to include everyone’s view in the important process. Dow advised the gathering to take an active part in the Plan’s implementation.

“The meeting here today is because there has been a gap in between the consultations that many of you would have been involved in and the next step which is the board has review the Plan and our tenure comes to the end of this month,” she said.

Dow said those with specific and general roles are represented and all suggestions are important. She said international targets of carbon offset must be reached and the board, the Ministry and by extension the government will ensure that forestry materials are properly used.