EU and Vietnam sign VPA to combat illegal logging and promote legal timber trade

The EU and Vietnam signed a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The agreement will help improve forest governance, address illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products from Vietnam to the EU, and other markets.

Combating illegal timber trade: Promoting sustainable development and good governance

How can trade policies promote and support governance reforms in developing countries so that forest resources contribute to sustainable development? A panel discussion on the FLEGT initiative hoped to provide an answer to this question. The session, moderated by Jussi Viitanen, Head of the EU FLEGT and REDD Facilities at the European Forest Institute, took place at the recent WTO Public Forum in Geneva.

South Korea closes market to illegally-harvested timber

South Korea has become the latest country to implement legislation to prevent imports of illegally-harvested timber.

FLEGT Independent Market Monitor publishes third quarterly newsletter

The FLEGT Independent Market Monitor (IMM) has published the third edition of its quarterly newsletter, featuring updates on the IMM project, market and policy news.

A Major Liability: Illegal logging in Papua New Guinea threatens China's timber sector and global reputation

A new report reveals that many forest operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) violate the law, despite holding Government permits. PNG is China’s single largest supplier. By buying timber from PNG and exporting to markets that ban illegal timber imports, such as the European Union or the United States, China therefore risks damaging its reputation and major trade relationships.

EU and Thailand hold 2nd negotiation on legal timber trade agreement

Thailand and the European Union (EU) have held their second round of negotiations on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

With new government in place, Liberia meets EU to review VPA implementation

The Joint Implementation Committee overseeing the EU-Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance and trade has met for the first time since Liberia’s new government — including new Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Managing Director C. Mike Doryen — took office earlier this year.

Honduras y la UE rubrican un acuerdo para promocionar el comercio legal de madera

La UE y Honduras han concluido las negociaciones de un Acuerdo Voluntario de Asociación (AVA) sobre la Aplicación de las leyes, gobernanza y comercio forestales (FLEGT, por sus siglas en inglés). El Acuerdo ayudará a mejorar la gobernanza forestal, luchar contra la tala ilegal y promocionar el comercio en productos verificados como de origen legal. Este AVA es el primero que se establece entre la UE y un país de América Latina.

Honduras and EU agree deal to promote legal timber trade

The EU and Honduras have concluded negotiations on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The agreement will help improve forest governance, address illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products. The VPA is the first between the EU and any country in the Americas.

Congo, EU take stock of implementation of their forest governance Agreement

The Republic of Congo and the European Union (EU) have reviewed the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) aimed at promoting good forest governance. This Agreement is part of the EU initiative on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).