Guyana and the EU concluded the third Voluntary Partnership Agreement negotiation session

Guyana and the EU held the third formal VPA negotiation session on 16 April in Georgetown. Technical discussions focused on a variety of topics including: product scope, legality definition, compliance framework, market scope, social and environmental criteria, transit and imported timber, land use, confiscated timber, and title allocations.

The parties committed to maintain the momentum to reach an agreement that takes into consideration the views of all relevant stakeholders. The parties also agreed to promote the identification of synergies amongst FLEGT, REDD + and the Low Carbon Development Strategy processes and agreed to continue examining the framework under which these initiatives can be further integrated and be mutually supportive.

The next negotiation session was agreed to be held in Brussels in November 2015. Guyana expects to complete the VPA by 2016.

More information

Download the Aide memoire and roadmap

Guyana Forestry Commission website

Guyana Government Information Agency website

Fore more information on FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements, see VPA Unpacked