FLEGT IMM Spring 2018 newsletter now online

The FLEGT Independent Market Monitoring (IMM) project has published its second quarterly newsletter.

Vietnam’s VPA implementation progresses as stakeholders meet

The third meeting of the multistakeholder group set up to support implementation of the EU-Vietnam Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance and trade took place on 8 March 2018 in Hanoi.

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).

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.

Greater participation of women for improved forest management in Liberia

An article published in Front Page Africa describes the progress made by Liberia towards good forest governance since the end of the 14-year civil war, highlighting the ‘gradual rise’ of women’s participation in the forest sector. The writer outlines the benefits of greater participation of women in decision-making processes related to forests.

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.

Responsible Timber Trade Fair in Ghana, a unique international event

BVRio is organizing the first international timber trade fair dedicated to promoting the trade of 100% legal and certified timber. The Responsible Timber Trade Fair will connect buyers and sellers of legal and certified timber products, focusing on West African timber. The event will be held in Accra, Ghana, 28 February – 2 March 2018.

FLEGT is big, says Director General for the Environment

In this exclusive interview with the ETTF, European Commission Director General for the Environment Daniel Calleja Crespo describes the first year of FLEGT licensing by Indonesia as a great start. Now, he says, it’s the responsibility of all stakeholders to capitalise on the opportunities presented by this unique timber legality initiative and to take the wider EU FLEGT Action Plan forward.

FLEGT advances accountability in the Ivoirian forest sector

Six years have now passed since the end of civil conflict that destabilised Côte d’Ivoire for years. In this period, the country has made great strides towards improved governance and accountability. It held free and fair elections, adopted a new constitution making government structures more representative, and undertook institutional reforms. Rule of law, however, is still not completely institutionalised across the country.

Congo and the EU adopt tools to implement their Agreement on illegal logging

The Republic of Congo and the European Union (EU) have adopted a five-year plan for the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) aimed at eliminating illegal logging. This Agreement is part of the EU initiative on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).