EU, China and Africa explore ways to work together in their forestry cooperation

At the International Workshop on China-Africa Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management, participants from Europe, China and Africa discussed synergies among green finance, China’s engagement in Africa, and Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

Indonesian forest monitors report on timber legality issues

Indonesia’s Independent Forest Monitoring Network (JPIK) says the country’s timber legality assurance system (SVLK) has led to “significant changes in improving good forest governance” but still has weaknesses and must be continuously improved to ensure its credibility and accountability.

EUTR Implementation: UNEP-WCMC releases Feb-March 2018 Briefing Note

The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has released a Briefing Note on developments relevant to the implementation and enforcement of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). The note, which covers the period from February to March 2018, was developed by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the competent authorities of the European Union (EU) Member States.

Why I’m cautiously hopeful about China’s efforts towards regulating timber imports

In 2012, when I first started researching China’s illegal timber imports, related news or information in Chinese was scarce. Six years on, however, a study co-authored by a Chinese government research institution offers a flicker of hope. China may be heading in the right direction and joining a growing global community who prohibit illegal timber imports by law.

Ghana, EU Progress on Implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement

The aide memoire of the ninth session of the Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanism (JMRM), which took place on 27 and 28 February 2018, in Accra, Ghana, has been released.

Central African Republic and the EU release 2016 annual report on VPA progress

Central African Republic and the EU have released a joint report on progress in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in 2016. The report describes progress made with the timber legality assurance system, legislative reform, domestic market, institutional improvements, communication, transparency and monitoring of the agreement.

Reports of joint observation missions in Central African Republic released

The reports of two joint observation missions carried out in the Central African Republic in August and December 2017 have been published. These missions included representatives from the Ministry of water, forests, hunting and fishing, as well as from the Mandated Independent Observation - Centre for Environmental and Sustainable Development Information.

La République Centrafricaine et l’UE réitèrent leur engagement pour mettre en œuvre leur Accord contre l’exploitation forestière illégale

La République Centrafricaine et l’Union Européenne (UE) ont réitéré leur engagement pour rendre effective la mise en œuvre de leur Accord de partenariat volontaire (APV) visant à enrayer l'exploitation forestière illégale. La Convention de Financement signée en 2012 avec l’UE est sur le point d’être exécutée et contribuera significativement à cette mise en œuvre.

EU, Central African Republic reiterate their commitment to implement their illegal logging Agreement

The Central African Republic and the European Union (EU) have reiterated their commitment to make effective the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) aimed at curbing illegal logging. The Financing Agreement signed in 2012 with the EU is about to be implemented and will significantly contribute to this implementation.

UNEP-WCMC Releases November 2017 – January 2018 Briefing Note

The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has released a briefing note on developments relevant to the implementation and enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). The note, which covers the period November 2017 to January 2018, has been developed by UNEP-WCMC as a consultant of the European Commission in close cooperation with the competent authorities of the European Union Member States implementing the EUTR.