Guyana, UK sign MoU to support forest governance & advance sustainable development 

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, represented by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The MoU establishes a strengthened framework for cooperation under the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme (FGMC2), reinforcing Guyana’s global leadership in sustainable forest management, low-carbon development, and climate action.

The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone in the longstanding and trusted partnership between Guyana and the UK—one grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a joint commitment to safeguarding the world’s forests and forest-dependent communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, M.P., noted that the agreement deepens technical cooperation at a time of growing global focus on sustainable forestry. He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to maintaining low deforestation and strengthening national forest governance systems. Minister Bharrat emphasised that the agreement directly supports the national priorities articulated by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali under the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030).

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗶’𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀, 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

President Ali’s LCDS 2030 sets out a transformative pathway for Guyana—one that harnesses the economic value of its forests, biodiversity, and ecosystem services while creating new opportunities for communities and delivering global climate benefits. Today’s MoU with the UK contributes to this vision by providing targeted support to:

1. Support Guyana’s forest governance architecture;

2. Expand sustainable market access for timber and other forest products;

3. Enhance financial sustainability and economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities.

The collaboration will also support the establishment of the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS) that underpin credible, transparent, and internationally recognised forest management systems.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮–𝗨𝗞 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The MoU reaffirms the UK’s confidence in Guyana’s forest stewardship and acknowledges Guyana’s exceptional record as one of the world’s most intact, sustainably managed tropical forest countries. Through the FGMC2 programme, the UK will continue to provide technical, institutional, and implementation support—including through the European Forest Institute’s Rapid Response Programme and other collaborative mechanisms.

British High Commissioner Her Excellency Jane Miller OBE reiterated the UK’s strong commitment to working alongside Guyana to address global climate and biodiversity challenges. She noted that Guyana’s leadership—from the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests to its pioneering carbon markets—continues to set a powerful example for countries worldwide.

𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆

The partnership will deliver real benefits for Guyanese communities and the national economy by reinforcing sustainable forest management practices, enhancing cross-sectoral decision-making, and ensuring that forests continue to generate long-term economic value while protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage.

This MoU further complements Guyana’s role in global initiatives such as the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, the Global Biodiversity Alliance, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

𝗔 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Ministry of Natural Resources welcomes this renewed collaboration as a model of effective, modern climate diplomacy—one that aligns domestic priorities with international support to deliver shared global outcomes. Guyana looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the UK as both countries work together to safeguard forests, expand sustainable development pathways, and accelerate climate ambition.