Vietnamese NGOs welcome VPA signing

The network of Vietnamese Non-governmental Organisations on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VNGO-FLEGT) has welcomed the official signing by Vietnam and the European Union (EU) of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA).

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.

Republic of the Congo and the EU release 2017 annual report on VPA progress

The Republic of the Congo and the EU have released a joint report on progress in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in 2017.

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.

European Commission reports on EUTR progress

The European Commission has released the second report on the implementation of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), covering the period March 2015 to February 2017. The report reveals steady progress after four years of EUTR application. It is based on the reports from the 28 EU Member States and Norway.

UNEP-WCMC issues brief on EUTR implementation

The UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) has published its latest briefing note on the implementation of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR).

Indonesia improving FLEGT licensing procedures

Indonesia has taken several measures in recent months to improve procedures relating to FLEGT licences — the export licences that attest to the legality of EU-bound timber and timber products.

FLEGT Independent Market Monitor launches Data Dashboard

The FLEGT Independent Market Monitor (IMM) has launched a dashboard that provides access to statistical data on imports into the European Union (EU) of timber, paper and pulp from the 15 countries either supplying FLEGT-licensed timber or that are implementing or negotiating a FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU in May 2018.

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.

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).