Update on FLEGT VPA processes internationally

Presentation by Jannik Vaa, EU Delegation, AccraJune 7th, 2011

West Africa Forest Governance Forum

What is FLEGT?

• FLEGT- Forest Law Enforcement Governance & Trade.

• International concern over illegal logging

• Strong political commitment to address this at international and regional levels (expressed in regional summit in 2003 in Yaounde)

• EU response: partnerships to address the problem and new policies to influence consumer demand.

• Frames the interest of European consumer market to reinforce governance reform in timber producing countries.

The VPA• A legally-binding agreement:

– EU (all Member States) and a partner country– Export License assures market of legal compliance

• Targets/objectives :– Work together to stop illegal logging – Strengthen governance & transparency– Improve control, track & verify legal compliance – Reform policy and law – Build capacity – Better capture revenues– Secure & improve market access

VPA• No blueprint : defined together

• EU has requirements – briefing notes– Legality existing laws of partner country– Timber legality assurance system of partner country

evaluated against established criteria– Multi-stakeholder process: ensure credibility nationally

and internationally

• Purpose to strengthen, clarify & apply reforms and what has already been developed