[{"bbox": [91, 152, 665, 181], "category": "List-item", "text": "4. The specifications of the Independent Audit of the system."}, {"bbox": [84, 207, 1145, 315], "category": "Text", "text": "Through the implementation of the TLAS, Guyana will need eventually to develop an IT-system to facilitate and ensure the enforcement of the legal framework. The current control systems of the forestry sector are mostly paper-based, and the development and implementation of the TLAS will therefore largely improve the effectiveness of the GFC and the other TLAS agencies for the execution of their mandate."}, {"bbox": [84, 343, 1145, 514], "category": "Text", "text": "Stakeholders will have to be supported to be able to fully comply with the requirements of the VPA to guarantee access to the internal market of the EU when the system is operational, and to ensure their involvement and participation in the development and implementation of the system. Additional support will be needed for the independent monitoring and evaluation of the system. The MIP has incorporated sex disaggregated and gender specific data as a tool to be used in this action, thereby encouraging actors in the forestry sector to systematically adopt a gender lens when planning, implementing and reporting on activities¹⁰."}, {"bbox": [84, 531, 1145, 732], "category": "Text", "text": "The interior of Guyana is sparsely populated and difficult to access, the dominant population there being Indigenous. The large hinterland supports traditional income-earning sectors, mainly mining (precious minerals and bauxite) and forestry, which are responsible for deforestation and land degradation. Many indigenous peoples are among the most affected by biodiversity loss and other environmental harm because of their close relationship with and reliance on nature. At the same time, they are often best situated to protect against biodiversity loss through traditional knowledge, customary laws, sustainable use of natural resources, and collective land ownership and management practices.¹¹"}, {"bbox": [84, 760, 1145, 974], "category": "Text", "text": "Guyana has a very low deforestation rate (0.06%), and forest loss is mostly the result of (illegal) mining, not so much resulting from (illegal) forestry activities. While not very relevant for deforestation, (illegal) forestry activities are having a considerable negative impact on the integrity of forest ecosystems, as they are often leading to forest degradation. The human rights harms associated with biodiversity loss disproportionately fall on those who depend directly on nature, and those who are already in vulnerable situations due to poverty, marginalization, disability or other circumstances and characteristics, and thus biodiversity loss can contribute to widening inequality. This reduces the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate variability and other external stress factors, and lowers the capacity of forests to deliver ecosystem services."}, {"bbox": [84, 1002, 801, 1030], "category": "Text", "text": "Having a EU FLEGT VPA in Guyana can provide several benefits, including:"}, {"bbox": [123, 1058, 1145, 1112], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. Improved forest governance: The VPA can help improve forest governance in Guyana by promoting transparency, participation, and accountability in the country's forest sector."}, {"bbox": [123, 1111, 1145, 1165], "category": "List-item", "text": "2. Reduced illegal logging: The VPA can help reduce illegal logging in Guyana by establishing a system to verify the legality of its timber exports."}, {"bbox": [123, 1165, 1145, 1218], "category": "List-item", "text": "3. Increased market access: The VPA can increase market access for Guyana's timber products, particularly in the EU market, by demonstrating their legality and sustainability."}, {"bbox": [123, 1218, 1145, 1324], "category": "List-item", "text": "4. Facilitate compliance of the private sector with the upcoming national certification standard: Guyana is currently developing a national certification standard which will allow private sector actors to access consumer markets demanding sustainable timber. The VPA-process and associated support for private sector will be a stepping-stone for forest sector operators to comply with the national standard."}, {"bbox": [123, 1324, 1145, 1427], "category": "List-item", "text": "5. Increased incentives for sustainable forest management: The VPA can provide incentives for sustainable forest management practices by promoting responsible forest management and ensuring that timber products are harvested and traded legally and sustainably; enhancing at the same time adaptation capacities of the authorities."}, {"bbox": [123, 1428, 1145, 1510], "category": "List-item", "text": "6. Capacity building: The VPA can provide opportunities for capacity building and knowledge transfer by providing technical assistance and training to support Guyana's efforts to strengthen its forest governance and management systems."}, {"bbox": [84, 1596, 647, 1622], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁰ Country Level Implementation Plan – CLIP Guyana GUYANA"}, {"bbox": [84, 1621, 757, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹¹ KM Biodiversity 26 feb Light. Human Rights and Biodiversity key messages"}, {"bbox": [1037, 1681, 1145, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 8 of 30"}]