Ghana and Liberia share timber legality lessons with Laos and the Republic of the Congo

In November 2018, a group of visitors from Laos found themselves in a forest in Liberia, learning how the country’s forestry officials track timber through the supply chain.

Un sistema de trazabilidad para luchar contra la madera ilegal en Panamá

Considerada el gran pulmón de Panamá, la selva del Darién es una importante fuente de recursos para las comunidades de esta región. Sin embargo, en 2010 las estimaciones apuntaban a que el 67% de la madera extraída de este tupido bosque tropical de 20 000 km2 se obtenía de manera ilegal y sin ningún tipo de control. Para solucionar este problema, a inicios de 2018 el Ministerio de Ambiente puso en marcha un sistema de trazabilidad de la madera.

Cameroon and the EU release 2017 annual report on VPA progress

Cameroon and the EU have released a joint report on progress in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in 2017.

How Chinese companies launder illegal timber

An investigative journalist has exposed how companies in China launder wood of dubious origin in products they export, and how their customers in the EU are often aware of the fraud but don’t care and may even encourage it.

To legality and beyond — new resource for timber buyers on benefits of FLEGT-licensed products

Timber buyers can now visit a new resource to learn about the business benefits of trading in FLEGT-licensed timber and the social, environmental and economic benefits that such trade brings to producer countries.

How timber trade deal talks with EU improved governance in Guyana

The process of negotiating a timber-trade deal with the EU has improved forest governance in Guyana, and more gains are expected as implementation gets underway.

Drive for legal timber boosts worker safety in Ghana

Across Ghana, workers who cut down trees in forests, move timber from the forest to factories or process wood into finished goods can expect these and other improvements in the coming months. That’s because, as Ghana implements new systems for ensuring the legality of its timber and timber products, a spotlight is shining on worker safety like never before.

Le Congo et l’Union européenne orientent leur travail de 2019 sur la gouvernance forestière

La République du Congo et l’Union européenne (UE) ont fait le suivi de la mise en œuvre de leur Accord de Partenariat Volontaire (APV) visant à promouvoir la bonne gouvernance forestière. Les deux parties ont également orienté leur travail pour l’année 2019. L’APV fait partie de l’initiative de l’UE relative à l'application des réglementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT selon son sigle en anglais).

Congo, EU guide their 2019 work on forest governance

The Republic of the Congo and the European Union (EU) have taken stock of the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) aimed at promoting good forest governance. Both parties have also agreed on their work for 2019. The VPA is part of the EU initiative on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

Indonesia — forest monitors urge further improvement on timber legality

Indonesian civil society groups that act as independent forest monitors have called for action to further improve the credibility and accountability of the country’s timber legality assurance system (SVLK), which Indonesia developed under its Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU.