GFC steps up training on digital systems

…as December 2026 implementation deadline nears

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is intensifying its nationwide training and outreach programme for forest sector operators as preparations continue for the official implementation of the Digital Wood Tracking System (dWTS) on December 31, 2026.

Following training done with Forestry Sector Operators in Berbice earlier this month, last week the Commission conducted a three-day hands-on training programme at the Linden Forest Station, bringing together participants from across the forestry sector.
The dWTS forms a central component of the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS), which is intended to verify the legality of timber products at every stage of the supply chain: from the forest or point of origin to their final destination in international markets.
The ongoing engagements are aimed at equipping concessionaires, sawmill operators, lumberyard dealers and timber traders with the knowledge and practical skills needed to transition from the existing paper-based wood tracking framework to a fully digital system.
“The sessions provided practical guidance on navigating the dWTS application, enabling participants to navigate the system and understand its features,” a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources noted.
For concessionaires, the system will facilitate the online submission of requests for tags, permits and other removal documents. Operators will also be able to monitor the status of their tags, logs, quotas and receipts in real time, while accessing their operational records from anywhere and at any time.
Processors, including sawmill operators and lumberyard dealers, will benefit from a more streamlined process for submitting monthly returns, receipts and other required records to the GFC electronically.

Guyana’s digital transition
During the Linden sessions, participants had the opportunity to interact with GFC officials, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the platform’s functionality. Operators also welcomed the system upgrades and the Commission’s initiative to provide practical training ahead of its full implementation.
The GFC has indicated that its capacity-building programme will continue through online training sessions and virtual engagement activities to ensure operators receive ongoing guidance and support as the national rollout progresses.
Developed using an agile, iterative methodology, the dWTS integrates web-based and mobile platforms to enable real-time tracking of timber from its point of origin in the forest through processing and ultimately to export. Its design also accommodates operations in areas with limited internet connectivity.
The system represents a significant advancement in Guyana’s efforts to modernise its forestry sector, replacing paper-based procedures with a more efficient, transparent and reliable framework for monitoring timber production, processing and trade.
Guyana’s digital transition is being advanced through its partnership with the European Union (EU), under the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement.
Guyana is among only three countries worldwide with both a Forest Partnership and a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade partnership with the EU.
Beyond improving operational efficiency, the digital system is expected to strengthen legality verification, enhance compliance monitoring, improve coordination among stakeholders and reinforce sustainable forest management.
It also supports Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 vision and the country’s efforts to maintain access to international timber markets by demonstrating transparency and accountability in the forestry supply chain.
With the December 31, 2026 implementation date approaching, the GFC’s continued nationwide engagements are expected to play a critical role in ensuring that forest sector operators are familiar with the new requirements and equipped to use the system effectively.
The transition marks another important step in Guyana’s journey towards a fully digital and transparent forestry sector, while reinforcing its commitment to responsible forest management and internationally recognised timber legality standards.
Forest sector operators and members of the public can access additional information on the initiative at euflegt.gov.gy.