EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

	Iwokrama International Rain Forest Programme
	Location	Guyana, South America.
	Responsible organization	Government of Guyana, UNDP/GEF, Commonwealth Secretariat, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada.
	Description	The Iwokrama International Rain Forest Programme was formally launched by the Government of Guyana and the Governments of the Commonwealth countries, with financial input from UNDP/GEF in April 1993. Under the programme, Guyana allocated 360,000 hectares of its tropical rain forest for an international programme to preserve the site's unique biodiversity, and to study and develop methods and techniques for the sustainable utilization of tropical rain forest resources.
	Issues addressed	Sustainable management and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity
	Objectives	Conservation and Utilization of Biodiversity Sustainable Human Development Forestry and Biodiversity Research Information and Communication
	Results achieved	Legal and Institutional framework firmly established for Programme. On March 14, 1996, the Parliament of Guyana passed the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development Act 1996 (Act No. 7 of 1996). Preparation and implementation of the Operational and Strategic Plans. Medium-term operational plan covers the period 1996-2000. Basic infrastructure and support services at Programme site for researchers established. Information and Communications Centre established for information dissemination. Ongoing resource surveys on site characteristics. Specific studies completed.
	Lessons learned	Amerindian (Indigenous people's) use of biodiversity of the Programme area on a sustainable basis.
	Financing	Preparatory Phase: Government of Guyana, UNDP/GEF, Commonwealth Secretariat, British Government - ODA, IDRC (Canada).
	Contact	Henry Tschinkel - Interim Director General Felix Girard - National Project Manager, Tel: (592-2) 60435, 67388, 51504 Fax: (592-2) 59199, 71211, E-mail: IWOKRAMA@uog.edu.gy