Annual Report 2023 UPM Forestal Oriental

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COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP

UPM Forestal Oriental operates in five regions spread across the departments of Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Paysandú, Río Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, Soriano, Tacuarembó and Treinta y Tres.

Across every region we identify and work together with influential communities, meaning those that are connected to the company’s operations. We annually review the planning of operations (planting, harvesting, loading and transportation, among others) and identify the

areas that will be affected and the activities involving the communities to prevent, mitigate and accommodate such activities. The potential impact on communities include: the transportation of timber, the use of chemicals and the impact on the landscape, among others. To mitigate these points of impact, which are identified and classified in a matrix based on area and activity, we put into action different initiatives that are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are in direct contact with all parties involved. For example, in order to manage the transportation of timber that goes through certain communities, we get in touch personally through area representatives and/or put out radio announcements about coming activities on local media stations, in addition to the measures included in our extensive Road Safety Programme, which is detailed in the Transportation chapter.

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Learn about our 100+ areas of influence

We invited groups of representatives from the different communities to get to know the Esteros y Algarrobales del Río Uruguay area

Representatives from Arévalo, San Gregorio de Polanco and Paso de los Toros learned about the nursery in Sarandí del Yí

Community leaders from Arévalo participated in workshops on Positive Psychology led by Jóvenes Fuertes Uruguay

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