By Samuel Gillis
On March 21st, the International Day of Forests, the World Wildlife Fund-Guianas (WWF-Guianas) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) marked the occasion by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The aim of this agreement is to bolster the growth of Guyana’s forestry sector, ensuring its sustainability for future generations.
The MoU is part of the European Union-funded Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for Communities of Guyana project, which is valued at 1.1 billion dollars.
This project seeks to preserve the health of forests and natural resources by strengthening sustainable local community development initiatives.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, highlighted Guyana’s remarkable forest cover, with over 99% being virgin forest.
He emphasized the importance of this asset not only nationally but also globally, positioning Guyana as a custodian of invaluable natural resources.
Bharrat addressed misconceptions about the prioritization of the oil and gas sector over traditional sectors like forestry.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to investing in and partnering strategically with sectors like forestry, which employ a significant portion of Guyana’s workforce.
Recognizing the critical role forests play in Guyana’s ecosystem, Minister Bharrat underscored the government’s dedication to preserving this asset.
He commended the Guyana Forestry Commission for its efforts in enhancing the forestry sector.
The International Day of Forests was observed under the theme “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World,” highlighting the importance of innovative approaches to forest management and conservation.
In collaboration with WWF-Guianas, the GFC is poised to implement sustainable practices that will safeguard Guyana’s forests for generations to come.