S HARING E XPERIENCES ON THE FLEGT/VPA G EORGETOWN , G UYANA 18-19 N - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

S HARING E XPERIENCES ON THE FLEGT/VPA G EORGETOWN , G UYANA 18-19 N OVEMBER , 2014 Joint Presentation of Indigenous Peoples Organisations - Guyana (GOIP, NTC, NADF,TAAMOG, IPC, APA)

C ONTENT OF P RESENTATION � Background � Engagement in the FLEGT/VPA Process � Experiences & Challenges � Next Steps

T HE C ONSTITUENCY S TAKEHOLDER G ROUP AND THE B ACKGROUND TO FLEGT/VPA IN G UYANA � Established out of the National Preparatory Workshop of October 2012; � Prior involvement of organisations took place during Guyana’s scoping period;

S COPE OF E NGAGEMENT � There has been six (6)meetings of the group within two (2) years; � Except the NTC and the IPC the other members do not sit on the NTWG; � It was reiterated that the group can be ‘co-opted’ as the need arises; � Recommended and participated in the “Amerindian” workshop in March 2013; � Discussions have taken place on the Draft Legality Definition, Communication and Consultation Strategy, Scoping of Impacts Study and Outreach Sessions; � All groups support that the sustainable use of forest resources for livelihoods and economic purposes is important;

C HALLENGES AND E XPERIENCES � Differing positions of group members e.g on period and content of process; the establishment and representation of NTWG; timelines of Roadmap; requests to sit on the NTWG; � Representation on issues surrounding land conflicts and land tenure have not been clearly addressed; � Absence of a Terms of Reference has created uncertainty as to the power or mandate of the group since this group is not a “Sub-Committee” of the NTWG; � Seeking accountability and transparency has not materialised; e.g requests to have the minutes of the NTWG has not been realised. � Group has realised that financial assistance is needed to enhance greater understanding and better participation of indigenous communities by independent groups.

N EXT S TEPS � A way forward to minimise negative impacts and maximise benefits for indigenous communities; � Encourage the financing of the group to contribute towards independent awareness sessions in indigenous communities; � Understanding that the FLEGT/VPA is not designed to resolve land titling and land conflicts but that the process needs to take on board clear commitment towards ensuring land tenure security in the final VPA and within clear timelines.

T HANK Y OU