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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 :

Guyana and EU join forces to meet highest international standards on export of legal timber

On 27 October 2022, representatives of Guyana and the European Union convened at a Pre-Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (Pre-JMRC) meeting, to review progress of the implementation of the Guyana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The Agreement will help improve forest governance and sustainable forestry and verify the trade in legal timber.

During the meeting, the Parties indicated they will endeavour to sign the Agreement before the end of 2022. The VPA will raise industry standards and living conditions of the sector. After Guyana and the EU sign and ratify the VPA, its commitments will become legally binding.

Representatives of Guyana and the EU at the Pre-Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (Pre-JMRC) meeting to review progress of the implementation of the Guyana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). Source: EFI

According to René Van Nes, Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, “the VPA spearheads Guyana as a global pioneer of sustainable forest management”.

The signature and subsequent ratification will mark the end of a 10-year negotiation process. Guyana will thereupon join a selected group of African, American and Asian countries committed to the protection of their forests. Guyana will become the first VPA country in the Amazon region, and the second in the Americas, after Honduras; making it a frontrunner in sustainable forest management, adhering to the highest international standards.

The Honorable Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Vickram Bharat, stated that “the Pre-JMRC meetings continue to highlight Guyana’s continued commitment to the VPA process and the broader initiatives to improve forest governance. He further stated that the VPA and the agreements reached are all part of the Government’s commitment under the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 aimed at promoting a green economy”.

The Parties agreed to focus their efforts on the further development and implementation of strengthened operational procedures for the sector, and a robust paper-based and digital traceability system of logs and timber that meets the VPA’s requirements. To ensure these priorities will be met in time, Guyana and the EU agreed on a detailed work plan.

The Parties also discussed how they will continue to engage with national and international stakeholders interested in VPA implementation. They committed to putting in place a range of tools to ensure that interested audiences can follow the developments and impacts of VPA implementation.

Representatives of the private sector and civil society, including indigenous peoples’ organisations, presented the issues they would like to bring to the table. Guyana and the EU also discussed next steps in the development of an approach to protect the traditional rights of Amerindian peoples.

Through the VPA’s implementation, Guyana will further strengthen the sustainable use of its forest resources, reduce illegal timber trade and better modernise timber operations, thereby ensuring that forestry brings green jobs in the formal economy. The VPA also includes commitments to improve transparency, accountability, legislative clarity and other aspects of governance.

Good governance of Guyana’s forests is crucial to sustainable development. Moreover, it helps both Guyana and the EU contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including by mitigating climate change and protecting biodiversity.

The next meeting of the Joint Monitoring and Review Committee is scheduled to take place in May 2023.

European Forest Institute

L’Union européenne et la Côte d’Ivoire s’accordent pour lutter contre l’exploitation forestière illégale

Le 19 octobre 2022, l’Union européenne (UE) et la République de Côte d’Ivoire ont conclu les négociations d’un Accord de Partenariat Volontaire (APV) sur l’application des règlementations forestières, la gouvernance et les échanges commerciaux (FLEGT par son acronyme en anglais). L’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.

La conclusion des négociations célébrée ce 19 octobre se matérialise avec le paraphe, une procédure administrative qui confirme que les deux parties adhèrent au contenu de l’Accord. La prochaine étape pour la Côte d’Ivoire et l’UE consistera à signer puis ratifier l’APV, rendant ainsi les engagements de l’Accord juridiquement contraignants.

Paraphage de l’APV FLEGT entre l’UE et la Côte d’Ivoire par M. Laurent Tchagba, ministre des Eaux et Forêts ivoirien, et M. Koen Doens, directeur général pour les Partenariats internationaux (INTPA) à la Commission européenne. Source: European Forest Institute

Initiées en 2013, les négociations de l’APV se sont distinguées par une grande participation, incluant des représentants des organisations de la société civile du secteur privé, des ministères et organismes gouvernementaux ivoiriens, et des chefs traditionnels.

Jusqu’à présent, ces négociations ont aidé la Côte d’Ivoire à mettre en œuvre d’importantes réformes juridiques et politiques du secteur forestier. Cela comprend la reconnaissance des droits de propriété des agriculteurs et des propriétaires terriens, le renforcement des exigences en matière traçabilité du bois, et aussi de transparence et de redevabilité dans l’ensemble de la filière bois. L’APV contribue aussi à une meilleure intégration des femmes dans la gestion des ressources forestières.

Avec la signature en vue, l’accent sera maintenant mis sur la mise en œuvre de l’Accord. L’APV mettra en place un système de traçabilité pour assurer la légalité 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’APV contribuera à une meilleure gestion des forêts, ce qui permettra de contribuer à lutte contre le changement climatique. 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.

European Forest Institute

EU and Côte d’Ivoire conclude negotiations on an agreement to combat illegal logging

On 19 October  2022, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire concluded negotiations for a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The Agreement will help improve forest governance, fight against illegal logging and support Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to improve the management of its natural resources.

The conclusion of the negotiations celebrated on 19 October materialises with the initialling, an administrative procedure that confirms that both parties adhere to the content of the Agreement. The next step for Côte d’Ivoire and the EU will be to sign and then ratify the VPA, thus making its commitments legally binding.

Initialling of the EU – Côte d’Ivoire FLEGT VPA by M. Laurent Tchagba, Ivorian Water and Forests Minister, and M. Koen Doens, Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission. Source: European Forest Institute

Initiated in 2013, the VPA negotiations have been very participatory, including representatives of civil society organisations, the private sector, Ivorian ministries and government agencies, and traditional chiefs.

So far, these negotiations have helped Côte d’Ivoire to implement important legal and policy reforms in the forest sector. This includes recognising the property rights of farmers and landowners, and strengthening requirements for forest planning, management and traceability. The VPA also contributes to a better integration of women in forest resources management.

With the signature in sight, the emphasis will shift to implementing the Agreement. The VPA will put in place a traceability system to ensure that all timber traded on the Ivorian domestic market, as well as international markets, is legal. This includes trade with the EU, but also regional timber trade.

Besides forest governance and timber legality, the VPA will also contribute to better forest management, transparency and accountability in the sector. This will help in the fight against climate change and increase the Ivorian state’s revenue from a more competitive forestry industry.

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.

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