To avoid the "conflict trap", Myanmar should protect its forests

Transitions from war are tough. When grievances smolder and economies fail to recover, most countries fall into a “conflict trap” and war resumes. To escape the trap, post-conflict governments often exploit forests, minerals, and other natural resources to jump-start war-torn economies.

Southeast Asia marks progress in combating illegal timber trade

Representatives from eight member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) shared their achievements in developing reliable timber legality assurance systems at a workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia from 6-8 December 2016.

Global corruption in forestry sector worth USD 29 billion a year

An INTERPOL report released on International Anti-Corruption Day underlines the scale of criminal activity tied to the forestry sector and the importance of coordinating anti-corruption efforts to protect forests.

Honduras and the EU test landmark forest agreement on the ground

Honduras has moved a step closer towards concluding a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) after completing a significant milestone in the negotiation process. Known as field testing, this phase enables stakeholders to evaluate progress and make recommendations for the successful completion of the Agreement.

How tracking product sources may help save world’s forests

Global businesses are increasingly pledging to obtain key commodities only from sources that do not contribute to deforestation. Now, nonprofit groups are deploying data tools that help hold these companies to their promises by tracing the origins of everything from soy to timber to beef.

New briefing on VPAs, land-use governance and NDCs

The EU FLEGT and EU REDD facilities have released a briefing exploring how VPAs, REDD+ and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) initiatives offer opportunities for the forest and land-use sectors to contribute to achieving national climate change objectives and improving forest governance.

EU and Central African Republic assess progress towards restart of support to VPA implementation

The Central African Republic and the European Union held the third meeting of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in Brazzaville on 7-9 December 2016.

Report flags four factors for action against illegal logging to address

Growing global efforts to address illegal logging must broaden to address the multidimensional nature of the problem, according to a report launched at the 13th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity on 3 December.

EU and Indonesia hail milestone in partnership against illegal logging

Representatives of the EU and Indonesia last week celebrated the start of Indonesia’s FLEGT licensing scheme for exports of verified legal timber.

FAO launches traceability publication with African case studies

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new publication that can provide insight to countries and businesses establishing successful timber traceability systems.