Guyana, UK sign MoU to strengthen forest governance, advance sustainable development

Guyana and the United Kingdom on Tuesday deepened their longstanding partnership with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening forest governance, expanding sustainable market access, and supporting community development under the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme (FGMC2).

The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Natural Resources on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), marking a significant step forward in the two countries’ shared commitment to protecting forests and advancing global climate action.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said the MoU comes at a crucial time, as global attention increasingly turns toward sustainable forestry and low-deforestation development models. He reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to maintaining one of the world’s lowest deforestation rates and strengthening national forest governance systems.
Minister Bharrat emphasised that the MoU directly supports President Ali’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030), which outlines a transformative path for harnessing the value of Guyana’s forests, biodiversity, and ecosystem services while creating new economic opportunities for communities.
Under the agreement, the UK will provide targeted support to strengthen Guyana’s forest governance architecture, expand sustainable markets for timber and forest products, and enhance financial opportunities for forest-dependent communities.
The collaboration also includes support for the establishment of the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS), which will bolster transparency, credibility, and international recognition of Guyana’s forest management practices.
The MoU reinforces the UK’s confidence in Guyana’s forest stewardship and acknowledges its global leadership as one of the most intact and sustainably managed tropical forest nations. Through FGMC2, the UK will continue to provide technical and institutional support, including through the European Forest Institute’s Rapid Response Programme.
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, praised Guyana’s consistent leadership on climate and biodiversity issues, noting its role in advancing the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and its pioneering work in carbon markets. She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Guyana’s efforts to tackle global climate and biodiversity challenges.
Officials highlighted that the renewed partnership will bring tangible benefits to forest-dependent communities and the broader economy by strengthening sustainable forest practices, improving decision-making across sectors, and supporting biodiversity and cultural preservation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources described the MoU as a model of modern climate diplomacy – aligning Guyana’s national priorities with international support to deliver shared global goals. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration as they work to safeguard forests, expand sustainable development pathways, and accelerate climate ambition.