On going AFP activities

a. Activities to combat illegal logging

Harmonization of existing initiatives to combat illegal logging in the region, including the Asia FLEGT, the Pan-ASEAN Timber Certification Initiative, ITTO etc.

This work plan aims to harmonize existing initiatives to combat illegal logging in the region. These include among others the Asia FLEGT, the Pan-ASEAN Timber Certification Initiative and ITTO. Stocktaking of on-going and already implemented efforts could eventually contribute to more efficient utilization of existing resources and help secure additional resources.

Harmonization of existing initiatives to combat illegal logging in the region, including the Asia FLEGT, the Pan-ASEAN Timber Certification Initiative, ITTO etc. [147KB]  

Presentation at the workshop in Yogyakarta:

Harmonization of existing initiatives to combat illegal logging in the region, including the Asia FLEGT,  the Pan-ASEAN Timber Certification Initiative, ITTO etc. [120KB]

A questionnaire is currently being circulated among AFP focal points, members of the FLEG advisory group and FLEG task force to explore possibilities for harmonizing the two initiatives.

Status: ongoing

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Create a framework for cooperation among customs agencies and other relevant agencies in the Asia-Pacific region

This activity aims to create a mechanism that allows authorities across countries to rapidly share information and evidence on illegal wood shipments. This system should allow following up, monitoring and sharing information. When evidence is strong shipments can be impounded and extradition procedures started as well legal proceedings against the owners of the ships, suppliers of the wood and so on.

TOR [39KB]

The draft report has been submitted by APCO and is currently being reviewed. At the workshop in Yogjakarta preliminary results were presented:

Creating a framework for cooperation among customs agencies and other relevant agencies in the Asia-Pacific region [60KB] 

Status: ongoing

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Developing minimum standards of legality, timber tracking and chain of custody (CoC) systems, verification systems among Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) partners

This work plan aims to establish the basis for setting up systems allowing the verification of legal compliance among  AFP members regarding illegal logging and timber trade. It seeks a way to apply  minimum standards for legality  to timber tracking, chain of custody (CoC) systems and other verification methods.

Final reports under this Workplan

• Executive Summary
• Review of Programmes on Traceability of Timber Material
• Generic Matrix for Comparison of Legal Requirements

Activities under this Workplan

Activities under this Workplan include a one day dedicated workshop on illegal logging as part of the workshop in Yogyakarta on September 1st, 2004. 

CIFOR is coordinating research to review the current systems  of timber tracking that are applied on the ground in Malaysia and Indonesia with a view to identifying a common approach that may be adopted by members of the partnership. The work links in with ongoing initiatives, notably those carried out under the Indonesia-UK MoU aiming to develop minimum standards of legality for timber. 

• Draft Standard of legality (English)
• Draft Standard of legality (Indonesian)

At the workshop in Yogyakarta preliminary results were presented:

Developing minimum standards of legality, timber tracking, chain of custody, and verification systems among Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) partners [29KB]

A questionnaire is currently being circulated among AFP focal points, members of the FLEG advisory group and FLEG task force to explore possibilities for harmonizing the two initiatives.

Status: ongoing

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b. Rehabilitation and reforestation of degraded lands

Review of Forest Rehabilitation Initiatives - Lessons from the Past

This is an ongoing research project conceived to exchange information and insights between ongoing and previous rehabilitation projects. Despite a number of rehabilitation projects being implemented over the last decades, it remains unclear what is actually rehabilitated, or what needs to be rehabilitated.

• Minutes from the Open Session "Review of forest rehabilitation initiatives - Lessons from the Past"

Status: ongoing

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c. Forest partnership: from Kalimantan districts to the global market place

This Work Plan is composed of four modules.

Module 1 will promote improved forest governance in three districts in Kalimantan by fostering dialogue amongst key stakeholder groups, providing technical support to identify potential forest and land-use mosaics that support sustainable development, and facilitating development of policies and mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of natural resource revenues amongst relevant stakeholders.

Module 2 will define pathways for business to support conservation and sustainable management of forests in target districts and beyond. It will strengthen market incentives for responsible forestry and the capacity of forest managers in Indonesia and Malaysia to respond to those incentives.

Module 3 intends to improve plantation practices, especially in avoiding conversion of High Conservation Value Forests, and to link best practices in targeted Conservation districts with improved international markets.

Module 4 intends to keep the numerous partners and their stakeholders across the districts, markets and elsewhere informed and updated on lessons learned. It will broadcast programme results and lessons learned to other stakeholders outside of the core partnership and contribute experience and advice to the Partnership from other stakeholders.

See the detail.

Updated: July 8 , 2005

Status: ongoing

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d. Trends in forest ownership, forest resources tenure and institutional arrangements: Are they contributing to better forest management and poverty reduction?

Understanding the impact of tenure issues and recent trends is essential for governments to promote sustainable use and to formulate effective policies. With current trends in privatization and community involvement in forest management, we are witnessing rapid changes in ownership and resource tenure patterns and increasing complexity of stakeholder relations. These changes have social, political and economic implications, which need to be monitored and assessed. The proposed work to be carried out under this work plan would build on the earlier efforts by more fully describing the current situation and expanding to include resource tenure and institutional arrangements.

Updated: December 3, 2004

Status: ongoing

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e. Supporting the Task Force for Possible Establishment of a Secretariat to Strengthen the AFP

The “Announcement on Strengthening the Asia Forest Partnership” an outcome of the ITTO Regional Workshop on Strengthening the Asia Forest Partnership held in Yogyakarta, 30 August – 1 September 2004 was adopted at AFP 4 in Tokyo, December 2004. The announcement assigns AFP to further deliberate a formal structure of AFP and its financial implications, standardized procedures, and mechanism on membership by establishing a small ad-hoc working group. These activities are carried out to strengthen the Asia Forest Partnership.

Updated: December 15, 2004

Status: ongoing