Guyana, UK sign MoU to boost forest governance, sustainable development

Guyana and the UK delegations at the MoU signing

Guyana and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation on forest governance and sustainable development.
The agreement, signed through Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, forms part of the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme (FGMC2).
The MoU underscores Guyana’s global leadership in sustainable forest management, low-carbon development, and climate action. Speaking at the ceremony, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said the agreement enhances technical cooperation at a time of growing international focus on sustainable forestry.

It aligns with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030), which aims to harness the economic value of forests while generating global climate benefits.
Under the MoU, the UK will provide technical and institutional support, including through the European Forest Institute’s Rapid Response Programme. Key priorities include strengthening Guyana’s forest governance framework, expanding sustainable market access for timber and other forest products, and supporting forest-dependent communities through enhanced economic opportunities.
The collaboration will also underpin the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS), a system ensuring transparent and internationally recognised forest management.
British High Commissioner Jane Miller reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working with Guyana on climate and biodiversity challenges, noting the country’s leadership—from the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests to pioneering carbon markets—as a global example.
The partnership is expected to deliver tangible benefits for communities, the economy, and biodiversity by promoting sustainable forestry, cross-sectoral decision-making, and long-term forest value. It also complements Guyana’s participation in international initiatives such as the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, the Global Biodiversity Alliance, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Guyana described the MoU as a model of modern climate diplomacy that aligns national priorities with international support to protect forests, advance sustainable development, and accelerate global climate ambition.