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Laurent Tchagba, Willem van de Voorde and Jutta Urpilainen (left to right), at the signing of the FLEGT VPA between the European Union and Côte d'Ivoire.European Council

The EU and Côte d’Ivoire sign a trade agreement on timber to enhance forest governance and combat illegal logging

In Brussels, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, Ivorian Minister of Water and Forests, Laurent Tchagba, and Belgian Ambassador, Willem van de Voorde, signed a legally binding trade agreement aimed at promoting sustainable trade of legal timber to the EU. This agreement signifies Côte d’Ivoire‘s commitment to enhancing forest governance, modernising its forestry sector, and combating illegal logging while it assures EU-based timber buyers of the legality of timber products from Côte d’Ivoire.

The agreement’s signature concludes a decade-long negotiation process, shifting the focus towards implementation, including the establishment of a verification system to guarantee timber legality and traceability. Once this system is fully operational, Côte d’Ivoire will issue Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences.

Laurent Tchagba, Willem van de Voorde and Jutta Urpilainen (left to right), at the signing of the FLEGT VPA between the European Union and Côte d’Ivoire. Source: European Council

FLEGT licensing ensures legal and sustainable timber trade, benefiting both exporters and importers by guaranteeing compliance with legal standards and easing access to the EU market. By endorsing FLEGT-licensed timber, importers contribute to environmental conservation and socio-economic development in tropical countries, while fostering equitable societies and combating corruption. FLEGT licensing stands as a win-win proposition, ensuring legality, responsible forest management, and socio-economic progress in timber trade.

Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen emphasised the significance of international cooperation in combating deforestation and illegal logging. She highlighted the agreement’s role in fostering a future where sustainable forest management benefits local communities and aids in fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity. Minister Laurent Tchagba reaffirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to accelerating reforms under the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade – Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA), particularly in strengthening the governance framework and developing a timber legality assurance system for verifying legality and issuing FLEGT licenses.

The FLEGT VPA negotiations involved various stakeholders such as the Ivorian civil society, the private sector and the forest administration, who will stay involved during the implementation phase. The VPA is expected to increase revenue for Côte d’Ivoire’s forest sector while contributing to the EU’s FLEGT Action Plan goals. Côte d’Ivoire joins other African, Latin American and Asian countries in signing a VPA with the EU to combat illegal timber trade and enhance forest governance.

Laurent Tchagba, Willem van de Voorde and Jutta Urpilainen (left to right), at the signing of the FLEGT VPA between the European Union and Côte d'Ivoire.European Council

L’UE et la Côte d’Ivoire signent un accord commercial sur le bois afin de renforcer la gouvernance forestière et de lutter contre l’exploitation forestière illégale

Jutta Urpilainen, commissaire européenne aux partenariats internationaux, Laurent Tchagba, ministre ivoirien des Eaux et Forêts, et Willem van de Voorde, ambassadeur de Belgique, ont signé un accord commercial juridiquement contraignant pour promouvoir le commerce durable de bois légal vers l’UE. Cet accord témoigne de l’engagement de la Côte d’Ivoire à renforcer la gouvernance forestière, à moderniser son secteur forestier et à lutter contre l’exploitation forestière illégale, tout en garantissant aux acheteurs de bois basés dans l’UE la légalité des produits bois en provenance de Côte d’Ivoire.

La signature de l’accord marque la fin d’un processus de négociation de dix ans, et met l’accent sur la mise en œuvre, y compris la mise en place d’un système de vérification visant à garantir la légalité et la traçabilité du bois. Une fois ce système pleinement opérationnel, la Côte d’Ivoire pourra délivrer des autorisations FLEGT.

Laurent Tchagba, Willem van de Voorde et Jutta Urpilainen (de gauche à droite), lors de la Signature de l’APV FLEGT entre l’Union européenne et la Côte d’Ivoire. Source: Conseil européen

L’autorisation FLEGT garantit le commerce légal et durable du bois, ce qui profite à la fois aux exportateurs et aux importateurs en garantissant la conformité avec les normes de légalité et en facilitant l’accès au marché de l’UE. En approuvant le bois sous autorisation FLEGT, les acheteurs contribuent à la préservation de l’environnement et au développement socio-économique des pays tropicaux, tout en favorisant des sociétés équitables et en luttant contre la corruption. L’autorisation FLEGT est une proposition gagnant-gagnant, qui assure la légalité, la gestion responsable des forêts et le progrès socio-économique dans le commerce du bois.

Madame la Commissaire Jutta Urpilainen a souligné l’importance de la coopération internationale dans la lutte contre la déforestation et l’exploitation forestière illégale. Elle a souligné le rôle de l’accord dans la promotion d’un avenir où la gestion durable des forêts profite aux communautés communautaires et contribue à la lutte contre le changement climatique et à la préservation de la biodiversité. Monsieur le Ministre Laurent Tchagba a réaffirmé l’engagement de la Côte d’Ivoire à accélérer les réformes dans le cadre de l’Accord de partenariat volontaire sur l’application des réglementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT-APV), en particulier en renforçant le cadre de gouvernance et en développant un système d’assurance de la légalité du bois pour vérifier la légalité et délivrer les autorisations FLEGT.

Les négociations de l’APV FLEGT ont impliqué diverses parties prenantes telles que la société civile ivoirienne, le secteur privé et l’administration forestière, qui resteront impliquées pendant la phase de mise en œuvre. L’APV devrait permettre de générer une hausse des revenus pour le secteur forestier ivoirien tout en contribuant à la réalisation des objectifs du Plan d’action FLEGT de l’UE. La Côte d’Ivoire rejoint d’autres pays d’Afrique, d’Amérique latine et d’Asie qui ont signé un APV avec l’UE afin de lutter contre le commerce illégal du bois et d’améliorer la gouvernance forestière.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, and Irchad Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana. Signing of the aide-memoire of the 11th JMRM meeting, 26 September 2023.Christophe Hertecant

Ghana and the EU advance toward FLEGT licensing in their joint effort to combat trade in illegal timber

The Ghana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) has reached a major milestone. During the meeting of the implementation body of the Agreement, the Parties took an important step toward issuing FLEGT licences, that will attest to the legality of Ghanaian timber products exported to the EU.

On 26 September 2023, a high-level Ghanaian delegation joined representatives of the European Union in Brussels to hold the 11th meeting of the Joint Monitoring Review Mechanism (JMRM) of the Ghana-EU VPA on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The FLEGT VPA is a bilateral trade agreement aiming at promoting trade in legal timber between both Parties.

This session of the JMRM was the first since May 2019, and the first to be convened outside Ghana. The JMRM includes Ghanaian public authorities in charge of forest administration, private sector and civil society, as well as the European Commission.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, and Irchad Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana. Signing of the aide-memoire of the 11th JMRM meeting, 26 September 2023.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, and Irchad Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana. Signing of the aide-memoire of the 11th JMRM meeting, 26 September 2023. Source: Christophe Hertecant

Negotiations and discussions were fruitful, leading to the agreement of a Joint Action Plan representing an important step toward readiness for FLEGT licensing. FLEGT licences attest to the legality of Ghana’s timber and will enable Ghana’s timber products to enter the EU market without having to go through due diligence steps. It means a significant facilitation for both exporters and importers, and improves the terms of trade in timber for the EU and Ghana alike. 

In 2016, Indonesia became the first country in the world to issue FLEGT licences; now Ghana is advancing rapidly toward the same goal, which will establish it as the first country in Africa and second in the world to issue FLEGT licences.

During the sessions, the Parties also reviewed the status of development of Ghana’s timber legality assurance system (GhLAS). They also took note of the further improvements made by Ghana on the electronic Wood Tracking System to serve now as a decision-making system instead of a simple tracking device.

Furthermore, Ghana has undertaken important legislative reforms in its forestry sector that enhance forest governance and enable the country to meet the terms of the VPA and ensure transparency, generating benefits for communities and clarifying the allocation of all timber rights.

In addition to these advances, Ghana is also addressing illegal logging in its domestic market, as well as regional trade and is rolling out a new system for tracking timber on the domestic market that involves both suppliers and traders, and requires proof of legality through the chain of custody.

Through the VPA, Ghana is controlling illegal timber trade, modernising timber operations and ensuring forestry brings employment in the formal economy and social benefits such as payments to communities through Social Responsibility Agreements. For the EU, the VPA contributes to achieving the goals of the EU’s FLEGT Action Plan which aims to improve forest governance and combat illegal logging.

European Forest Institute

Côte d’Ivoire and the European Union take another step towards signing an agreement to combat illegal logging

On 25 May 2023, the European Union (EU) and Côte d’Ivoire held the second meeting of the pre-Joint Implementation Committee (pre-JIC) of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) in Abidjan. This Agreement will contribute to increase forest governance, tackle illegal logging and support Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to improve the management of its natural resources.

Following the finalisation of the VPA negotiations and the initialling of the Agreement on 19 October 2022, and the first pre-JIC meeting on 24 October 2022, this second pre-JIC meeting represents an important milestone in the VPA process. Today’s discussions will provide an opportunity to consider the final preparations for the signing, scheduled for the end of 2023, and the implementation of the Agreement. The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister for Water and Forests and the Ambassador of the European Union.

Representatives of the EU and Côte d'Ivoire at the second pre-JIC meeting of the FLEGT VPA, 25 May 2023, Abidjan.
Representatives of the EU and Côte d’Ivoire at the second pre-JIC meeting of the FLEGT VPA, 25 May 2023, Abidjan. Source: European Forest Institute

To date, the VPA negotiations have catalysed a whole series of legal reforms to transform the way the Ivorian forestry sector is managed. Thirty-seven application texts for the 2019 Forestry Code have been published following a participatory and inclusive drafting process aimed at making the regulatory framework more complete and operational. The VPA also contributes to better integrating women in the management of forest resources.

With the signing of the Agreement fast approaching, the focus will now shift to its implementation. This includes setting up a verification system to guarantee legality and traceability of timber sold on the domestic Ivorian market, as well as on international markets, including the EU.

In addition to forest governance and the legality of timber, the implementation of the Agreement will contribute to an increase in revenue for the Ivorian State from a more competitive forestry sector. The implementation of the VPA will also contribute to sustainable forest management, which will make it possible to combat climate change more effectively.

European Forest Institute

La Côte d’Ivoire et l’Union européenne franchissent une nouvelle étape vers la signature d’un accord pour lutter contre l’exploitation forestière illégale

Le 25 mai 2023, l’Union européenne (UE) et la Côte d’Ivoire ont tenu à Abidjan la deuxième réunion du pré-comité conjoint de mise en œuvre (pré-CCMO) de l’Accord de Partenariat Volontaire (APV) sur l’application des règlementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT). Cet Accord contribuera à améliorer la gouvernance forestière, aborder la lutte contre l’exploitation forestière illégale et soutenir les efforts de la Côte d’Ivoire pour améliorer la gestion de ses ressources naturelles.

À la suite de la finalisation officielle des négociations de l’APV sanctionnée par le paraphe le 19 octobre 2022, et de la première réunion du pré-CCMO le 24 octobre 2022, cette deuxième réunion du pré-CCMO représente un important jalon dans le processus APV : les discussions d’aujourd’hui permettront d’envisager les dernières préparations pour la signature, prévue avant la fin 2023, et la mise en œuvre de l’Accord. La réunion a été co-présidée par le ministre des Eaux et Forêts et l’ambassadrice de l’UE.

Representatives of the EU and Côte d'Ivoire at the second pre-JIC meeting of the FLEGT VPA, 25 May 2023, Abidjan.
Représentants de l’UE et de la Côte d’Ivoire lors de la deuxième réunion du pré-CCMO de l’APV FLEGT, 25 mai 2023, Abidjan. Source: European Forest Institute

Jusqu’à présent, les négociations de l’APV ont catalysé toute une série de réformes légales pour transformer la manière dont le secteur forestier ivoirien est géré. En ce sens, 37 textes d’application du Code forestier de 2019 ont été à ce jour publiés suite à un processus d’élaboration participatif et inclusif en vue de rendre le cadre règlementaire plus complet et opérationnel. En outre, l’APV contribue aussi à une meilleure intégration des femmes dans la gestion des ressources forestières.

La signature approchant à grands pas, l’accent sera maintenant mis sur la mise en œuvre de l’Accord. Cela inclut la mise en place d’un système de vérification pour garantir la légalité et la traçabilité du bois commercialisé sur le marché intérieur ivoirien, ainsi que sur les marchés internationaux, dont celui de l’UE.

Au-delà de la gouvernance forestière et de la légalité du bois, la mise en œuvre de l’Accord contribuera aussi à une augmentation des revenus de l’État ivoirien de la part d’un secteur forestier plus compétitif. La mise en œuvre de l’APV contribuera aussi à une gestion durable des forêts, ce qui permettra de lutter plus efficacement contre le changement climatique.

Tropical rainforest in the north of the Republic of the Congo

La République du Congo et l’UE rendent compte des progrès de leur APV FLEGT

La République du Congo et l’Union européenne (UE) ont publié leur rapport annuel conjoint 2021 sur la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de partenariat volontaire (APV) sur l’application des réglementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT).

L’objet de cet APV signé en 2010 est de gérer durablement les forêts et de fournir un cadre juridique visant à assurer que tous les bois et produits dérivés importés par l’UE ont été légalement produits, et, ce faisant, de promouvoir le commerce de ces bois et produits dérivés.

Tropical rainforest in the north of the Republic of the Congo
Forêt tropicale au nord de la République du Congo

Le rapport fournit un aperçu détaillé du secteur forêt-bois congolais actuel, et souligne le redémarrage des activités de mise en œuvre de l’APV après une année 2020 impactée par la pandémie de Covid-19. Il décrit les avancées sur le système de vérification de la légalité, l’évolution de la réglementation forestière, l’implication des parties prenantes, ainsi que les structures institutionnelles, le suivi et la transparence de l’Accord.

Le rapport a été présenté lors de la 16ème réunion du comité conjoint de mise en œuvre (CCM), tenu le 24 novembre à Brazzaville. Le CCM est l’organe en charge de la mise en œuvre et du suivi de l’APV. Il inclut des représentants de l’administration, de la société civile et du secteur privé congolais, ainsi que de l’UE.

Plus d’informations :

Tropical rainforest in the north of the Republic of the Congo

The Republic of the Congo and the EU report on their FLEGT VPA progress

The Republic of the Congo and the European Union (EU) have released their joint annual report 2021 on the progress on the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

The VPA was signed in 2010 and aims to sustainably manage forests and ensure that all timber and derived products imported into the EU have been legally produced or acquired.

Tropical rainforest in the north of the Republic of the Congo
Tropical rainforest in the north of the Republic of the Congo

The report provides a detailed overview of the current Congolese forest sector. It also highlights that after 2020, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, VPA implementation activities resumed. The report describes progress on the legality assurance system, the evolution of forest regulations, the involvement of stakeholders, as well as the institutional structures, the monitoring and transparency of the Agreement.

The report was presented at the 16th meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), held on 24 November in Brazzaville. The CCM is the body in charge of implementing and monitoring the VPA, and includes representatives of the Congolese administration, civil society and private sector, as well as the EU.

More information:

Signing of the VPA. From the left to the right: Mr. Vickram Outar Bharrat - Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana; Mr. Jan Dusík - Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the Council; Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius - European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

The EU and Guyana sign an agreement on sustainable trade of legal timber

On 15 December, the European Union and the Government of Guyana signed a legally binding trade agreement to promote sustainable trade of legal timber to the EU. The signing of this deal, known as a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT), took place at the 15 Biodiversity COP in Montreal.

The VPA will give EU-based timber buyers assurance that timber products from Guyana are legal. It will help improve forest governance, tackle illegal logging and promote trade in verified legal timber products. Through the implementation of the VPA, the country will improve market access for law-abiding businesses, as well as modernise its forestry sector, create jobs, promote sustainable development and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.

Signing of the VPA. From the left to the right: Mr. Vickram Outar Bharrat - Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana; Mr. Jan Dusík - Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the Council; Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius - European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.
Signing of the VPA. From the left to the right: Mr. Vickram Outar Bharrat – Minister of Natural Resources of Guyana; Mr. Jan Dusík – Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic, EU presidency of the Council; Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius – European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. Source: European Commission

Under the VPA, Guyana commits to developing a timber legality assurance system to assess that timber products – for all stages of the supply chain – have been produced in accordance with national legislation. When this system is operational, Guyana can issue verified legal timber products with FLEGT licences. The licence certifies that the timber or timber products exported under that licence are legal.

Guyana is the first country in the Amazon region and the second in the Americas – following Honduras – to sign a VPA on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT) with the European Union. The signature marks the end of a 10-year negotiation process, and consolidates Guyana’s position as a frontrunner in the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests.

Following the signing of the deal, Guyana and the EU each need to ratify the VPA, according to their respective procedures. Forest stakeholders as the private sector, indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society, have all been closely involved in the negotiation of the agreement, alongside with the Government and EU representatives. They will continue to play a key role throughout the implementation phase.

In parallel to the VPA, Guyana is also one of the first five countries worldwide that signed a Forest Partnership with the EU. The aim of such a partnership is to strengthen cooperation on forests and make an important contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including addressing the challenges of climate change.

River in the tropical rainforest of central Africa.

The Central African Republic and the EU report on their FLEGT VPA progress

The Central African Republic (CAR) and the European Union (EU) have released their joint Report 2018-2021 on the progress on the implementation of their Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

The VPA was signed in 2011 and aims to sustainably manage forests and ensure that all timber and derived products imported into the EU have been legally produced or acquired.

River in the tropical rainforest of central Africa.
River in the tropical rainforest of central Africa.

The report provides an overview of the current Central African forest sector. It describes progress on the legality assurance system, the evolution of forest regulations, the involvement of stakeholders, as well as the institutional structures, the monitoring and transparency of the Agreement.

The publication of the report on the VPA implementation follows the publication, in July 2021, of the Report on the state of the forest-wood sector in the Central African Republic (2021). This publication aims to provide decision makers, development partners, researchers and the general public with a comprehensive source of information on the Central African forest sector.

More information:

River in the tropical rainforest of central Africa.

La République centrafricaine et l’UE rendent compte des progrès de leur APV FLEGT

La République centrafricaine (RCA) et l’Union européenne (UE) ont publié leur Rapport conjoint 2018-2021 sur le progrès de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord de partenariat volontaire (APV) pour l’application des réglementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT).

L’objet de cet APV signé en 2011 est de gérer durablement les forêts et de fournir un cadre juridique visant à assurer que tous les bois et produits dérivés importés par l’UE ont été légalement produits ou acquis, et, ce faisant, de promouvoir le commerce de ces bois et produits dérivés.

River in the tropical rainforest of central Africa.
Forêt tropicale d’Afrique centrale.

Le rapport fournit un aperçu du secteur forêt-bois centrafricain actuel. Il décrit les avancées sur le système de vérification de la légalité, l’évolution de la réglementation forestière, l’implication des parties prenantes, ainsi que les structures institutionnelles le suivi et la transparence de l’Accord.

La publication du rapport sur la mise en œuvre de l’APV s’ajoute à la publication, en juillet 2021, du rapport sur l’État du secteur forêt-bois en République centrafricaine (2021). Cette publication vise à ce que les décideurs, les partenaires au développement, les chercheurs et le grand public disposent d’une source d’informations exhaustive sur le secteur forêt-bois centrafricain.

Plus d’informations :

About the VPA Africa – Latin America Facility

The VPA Africa – Latin America Facility supports the implementation of the EU FLEGT Action Plan with a focus on Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs). The Facility contributes to combating illegal logging and strengthening forest governance while encouraging sustainable economic development in countries that produce or process timber and export to the EU. The Facility is hosted by the European Forest Institute (EFI) and was established in November 2019.

Disclaimer

This website has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this site are the sole responsibility of the European Forest Institute and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of funding organisations.

The VPA Africa-Latin America Facility is no longer hosted and managed by the European Forest Institute. This website was archived on the 31st of October 2024 and is no longer being updated. For more information, please contact ipf.info@efi.int.