[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 340], "category": "Text", "text": "be verified through the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS), the backbone of the VPA, which for Guyana is set to be developed in the context of the Joint Implementation Framework (JIF). The JIF is the operational framework comprising all FLEGT VPA implementation activities required for Guyana to achieve the FLEGT licensing standard. This specific action will support the further development and roll-out of the JIF, thereby contributing to improving sector governance, development and implementation of the TLAS, reforming laws and policies, strengthening law enforcement, enhancing transparency and accountability, and increasing stakeholder participation in law and policymaking processes."}, {"bbox": [97, 350, 1134, 456], "category": "Text", "text": "This action is linked to Objective 1 of the Guyana Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027: Improve Forest Governance. It specifically refers to “a component for improvement of forest governance via, amongst others, continuation of the EU VPA-FLEGT process (through implementation of the Joint Implementation Framework)”."}, {"bbox": [97, 468, 1134, 577], "category": "Text", "text": "The overall objective of this action is to contribute to the achievement of a Green Economy via a low emission economic-development pathway, as specified in Guyana’s Revised Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (2022) and its national policy document, the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS), by strengthening Guyana’s forest governance and sustainable forest management and implementing the EU-Guyana FLEGT-VPA."}, {"bbox": [97, 588, 1134, 669], "category": "Text", "text": "This will ultimately result in increased carbon sequestration and higher biodiversity values of managed forest ecosystems, improved market access and the creation of green jobs, and the protection of the rights of women, indigenous peoples and vulnerable populations in relation to forests."}, {"bbox": [97, 680, 1134, 787], "category": "Text", "text": "This action is fully in line with the **Memorandum of Understanding on Forest Partnership** that the EU and Guyana signed at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27, November 2022), which among other aims to provide a framework to engage in a policy dialogue on issues affecting forests, such as deforestation, and forest degradation in Guyana."}, {"bbox": [97, 799, 1134, 906], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will contribute to the **EU Gender Action Plan III (2021-2025)** and specifically to its overall objective: \"Women in all their diversity influence decision-making processes on environmental conservation and climate change policies and actions\" and will implement a rights-based approach with regard also to indigenous peoples and vulnerable populations."}, {"bbox": [97, 917, 1134, 1155], "category": "Text", "text": "The implementation of the programme will be closely aligned with the EU funded programme \"**Support for the implementation of the FLEGT VPAs**\" (INTV-15274) implemented by the French Development Agency (AFD). It will also be closely coordinated with the roll-out of the Forest Partnership and any actions programmed under the Technical Cooperation Facility. In addition, synergies will be sought with the EU funded programme \"**Sustainable forest livelihoods for communities of Guyana and Suriname**\" for the period 2023-2027 (PC-20002), also implemented by AFD, which will build on and complement the advances that have occurred under the EU-FLEGT initiative. Finally, the programme will also build on the results achieved through the UK-funded European Forest Institute Technical Assistance Programme (EFITAP), which has supported the implementation of the VPA."}, {"bbox": [97, 1168, 1134, 1356], "category": "Text", "text": "The FLEGT VPA between the EU and Guyana is also linked to the **EU Global Gateway** as it promotes legal and sustainable timber trade, which is an important area for EU businesses. Through the FLEGT VPA, Guyana is able to provide assurance to EU buyers that its timber comes from sustainable sources and meets the strict legality requirements of the EU Timber Regulation. The FLEGT VPA also supports Guyana's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. By promoting sustainable forest management practices, the FLEGT VPA helps to preserve Guyana's valuable forest resources, which play a key role in mitigating climate change."}, {"bbox": [97, 1367, 225, 1391], "category": "Text", "text": "### Link to SDGs"}, {"bbox": [97, 1404, 1134, 1460], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU FLEGT is linked to several SDGs (5, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17). This action is directly linked to 12, 15 and 16, and indirectly to 5, 8, 13 and 17."}, {"bbox": [97, 1550, 789, 1576], "category": "Text", "text": "UNFCCC Paris Agreement - Intended Nationally Determined Contribution"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 30"}]