11.8.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 283/73 Tuesday 14 February 2023
13.
Believes that the EU plays an important role in improving both the supply and the demand side of timber in order to reject illegally produced timber and assist exporting countries in their efforts to combat illegal logging and corruption, which results in the destruction of their forests, climate change and human rights violations; recognises that VPAs will continue to be an important legal framework for both the EU and its partner countries under the new proposal for a deforestation regulation; underlines that this has been made possible by the good cooperation and engagement of the partner countries concerned; supports the Commission in finding additional potential partners for future FLEGT VPAs; 14.
Recalls that sustainable and inclusive forest management and governance is essential to achieve the objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, notably through nationally determined contributions; recalls the importance of mining as a major driver of tropical deforestation, resulting in substantial soil erosion and contamination, increased forest fragmentation and mercury pollution of rivers and streams; notes that Guyana is expanding its oil, gas and mining industries; calls on the Government of Guyana to take further steps to curb illegal mining; notes with concern the lack of consistency between regulation of the forest sector and of the mining sector; welcomes further agreements aiming to complement the FLEGT VPA on environmental matters; 15.
Stresses that the success of the entire FLEGT initiative depends on, among other things, protecting environmental human right defenders and whistleblowers, improving the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to conduct their activities legally and guaranteeing effective protection for the land and full recognition of the customary rights of local communities and indigenous people, particularly Amerindian communities, including the right to give or withhold their consent to any timber concession on their land as a matter of social justice; stresses that the EU should build upon the traditional knowledge of indigenous people and other local communities regarding sustainable forest management; recalls in this regard the importance of preventing any additional administrative burdens from being imposed on SMEs and of providing legal assistance to SMEs to ensure their compliance with new international agreements, instruments and documents regarding the environment; 16.
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.