EU FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT GOVERNANCE AND TRADE GUYANA’s VPA PROCESS Stakeholder Session on FLEGT Region 2 & 10 Anna Regina Kwakwani Report Prepared by: Guyana Forestry Commission (FLEGT Secretariat) 1 | P a g e Contents 1. BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 4 2. OBJECTIVE AND APPROACH ............................................................................................... 5 2.1 Participation .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Workshop Agenda ................................................................................................................ 5 2.3 Specific Objectives of the Awareness Sessions .................................................................... 5 3. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS ............................................................................................. 6 3.1 Opening Session.................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Featured Presentations .......................................................................................................... 6 3.2.1 Presentation One: Progress of the EU FLEGT VPA in Guyana .................................... 6 3.2.2 Presentation Two: Roadmap for the VPA process ........................................................ 7 3.2.3 Presentation Three: Draft Legality Definition for Guyana’s EU FLEGT VPA ............ 8 3.3 Discussions ........................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.1 Progress made with the EU FLEGT VPA Process ........................................................ 9 3.3.4 Group discussion on the Legality Definition ............................................................... 11 3.3.5 Mechanism for reporting and liaison between representatives and NTWG ................ 14 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................. 15 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................. 15 NEXT STEPS ............................................................................................................................... 16 ANNEXES .................................................................................................................................... 17 2 | P a g e LIST OF ACRONYGMS AVC Amerindian Village Council CoC Chain of Custody EU European Union EUFLEGT European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade FAO United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FMO Forest Management Operator GFC Guyana Forestry Commission IFM Independent Forest Monitoring IM Independent Monitoring ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization LAS Legality Assurance System NGO Non Governmental Organization NTWG National Technical Working Group NTC National Toshaos’ Council SFM Sustainable Forest Management SFP State Forest Permission ToR Terms of Reference VPA Voluntary Partnership Agreement 3 | P a g e 1. BACKGROUND Guyana and the European Union (EU) have commenced formal dialogue on an EU Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade, Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA). The first formal negotiation was held in December 2012, at which key timelines were agreed to, that would guide the process moving forward. In announcing its decision to commence formal negotiations with the EU on a VPA, Guyana expressed that it is aware of the benefits of a FLEGT VPA such as stimulating markets, enabling Guyana’s exporters to retain markets, developing systems that demonstrate legality of timber production on international markets and expanding reporting requirements. The commencement of formal dialogue with the EU was preceded by a series of stakeholder engagement exercises and consultations that helped Guyana to take the decision to enter into formal negotiations. The Government of Guyana, FAO, EU and local stakeholder groups were instrumental in supporting this process of sharing information, conducting initial analyses and contemplating potential impacts and benefits of a FLEGT VPA for Guyana. Thus far, a number of steps have been taken, including the establishment of a FLEGT Secretariat in Guyana which is housed within the Guyana Forestry Commission, the formation of a multi stakeholder steering body for the VPA negotiation and implementation efforts and the development of a Joint Roadmap for Guyana - EU FLEGT VPA process. The second negotiation between Guyana and the EU was held in July, 2013 in Brussels, Belgium. Subsequently, efforts were made to undertake stakeholder awareness and consultations to inform stakeholders on the progress made thus far in the EU FLEGT VPA process and simultaneously receive feedback. This initiative, supported by FAO, targeted stakeholder groups within the three counties to begin with, providing the opportunity for them to meet in a manner which fostered open discussion on some of the areas which were being drafted under the FLEGT arrangement. The areas addressed at these sessions were: the Legality Definition, the Roadmap and a general update of the progress made thus far in the FLEGT VPA process. 4 | P a g e 2. OBJECTIVE AND APPROACH 2.1 Participation On the 23rd- 24thand the 30th of October, 2013 stakeholders attended two Awareness Sessions in Essequibo and Kwakwani respectively, which were aimed at updating stakeholders on the progress of Guyana’s VPA process, providing clarification needed and eliciting feedback from stakeholders. There was representation from large and small scale concessionaires, Non- Governmental Organizations, Forest Industry Operators, Amerindian Communities, Community Forestry Groups, the National Technical Working Group and staff of the Guyana Forestry Commission. The complete list of representatives is presented in Appendix 1. 2.2 Workshop Agenda The second negotiation between the European Union and the Guyana Forestry Commission was held in July, 2013. Taking this into consideration, the sessions were structured to facilitate information sharing, interaction and capacity building. Sessions included general awareness on EU FLEGT, decisions made at the second negotiation as well as updates on the various aspects of Guyana’s EU FLEGT VPA process, particularly the Legality Definition and the Joint Roadmap and were followed by discussion sessions. The sessions were chaired by Kenny David, Head of the FLEGT Secretariat. 2.3 Specific Objectives of the Awareness Sessions These sessions were aimed at achieving several specific objectives. These objectives included the followings: 1. To share general information on EU FLEGT 2. To present the following updated documents: a) Legality Definition b) Regulatory Framework c) Product Coverage 3. To outline the progress of Guyana’s VPA process especially in relation to negotiations between Guyana and the European Union, the Roadmap for Guyana’s FLEGT VPA process, stakeholder engagements, Scoping of Impacts and the Communication Strategy. 4. To specifically highlight the outcomes of the second negotiation between Guyana and the European Union held in Brussels, Belgium in July, 2013. 5. To provide a platform for stakeholders to raise concerns, seek clarifications and state recommendations and expectations pertaining to Guyana’s VPA and its progress thus far. 5 | P a g e 3. SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS 3.1 Opening Session The Sessions were opened by Kenny David, Head of the EU FLEGT Secretariat. He welcomed the participants and encouraged them to participate during the session. The objectives of the sessions as well as an outline of the proceedings were presented. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation and input to the progress of Guyana’s VPA process. It was emphasized that the VPA process is a collaborative one, which is posited to exemplify the objectives Guyana aims to achieve in relation to sustainable forest management, strong forest government and legality. Further, he acknowledged the continued support FAO has provided which had allowed Guyana to undertake various aspects of the VPA process. It was also mentioned that there is still the need for more financial support given the level of work which needs to be completed under the VPA. 3.2 Featured Presentations 3.2.1 Presentation One: Progress of the EU FLEGT VPA in Guyana Key points of this presentation were: Guyana’s opportunity to achieve numerous benefits from pursuing an FLEGT VPA in relation to market access, improved governance at all levels, growth of the sector, capacity building, international credibility and recognition, reformed of laws and policies and improved legal compliance. Guyana’s vision and objective for the VPA which advocates legality, sustainable forest management and market access. Key expectations of the VPA related to proposed agreements and due recognition to current circumstances within the sector in Guyana, such as the different operation structure and the specific legality requirements across the stakeholder groups. The background of Guyana’s engagement with the EU on a FLEGT VPA which commenced in 2009 and consequently led to a policy decision in March, 2012 affirming Guyana’s commitment to pursue an EU FLEGT VPA. An outline of preparatory work for commencement of negotiation undertaken by Guyana. Activities