Guyana’s National Technical Working Group (NTWG) has been involved in technical meetings and the second round of negotiations with representatives from the European Union [EU] relating to the Guyana- European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (EU FLEGT VPA).
The NTWG represented by a 14 member delegation from Guyana; comprising of Government Officials, Indigenous Community, Private Sector and Civil Society representatives; arrived in Brussels on July 15, 2013 for these engagements.
Thematic areas discussed during the four day session included an overview of the European Union customs procedures related to FLEGT licensed timber, the progress made to date by Guyana, the road map for the VPA, legality definition and Guyana’s legality assurance systems.
Additionally, the negotiating delegation had dialogue with representatives from various international civil society groups regarding the involvement of civil society organisations in Guyana and their contribution to the VPA process.
Following the successful discussions in Brussels, the NTWG will continue consultations and meetings to ensure the VPA process is developed in a participatory manner.
