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.

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.