|
|
 print-version |
|
Summary
Report AFP Dialogue
Dialogue on Timber Trade, Forest Law Compliance and Governance at
Asia-Pacific Forestry Week Hanoi,
24 April, 09:00-12:00
A
pivotal event of
Asia-Pacific Forestry Week, Dialogue on Timber Trade, Forest Law Compliance
and Governance, hosted by the Asia Forest Partnership (AFP), was held in Hanoi on
the 24 April 2008. The
event brought together over 500 leading forestry experts and a variety of
stakeholders to discuss sustainability in the trade of timber and forest
products, and to develop strategies for success in an increasingly regulated
environment. It provided a platform for participants to advance policy
solutions, industry incentives and practical on-the-ground initiatives that
address concerns about forest governance and legal compliance. The
dialogue was chaired by Rico Hizon, BBC Asia Business and Finance Correspondent,
focusing on credible and practical outcomes for both policy makers and the
timber industry. Major forestry players from across the region examined the
changes underway in the global timber market, and review their impacts. Introduction
The
introductory remarks were made by Dr.
Boen Purnama, Secretary
General, Ministry of Forestry Indonesia; and Chair of UNFF 8 Bureau. He stressed
that illegal logging and trade is a complicated issue involving many players
with different interests, budgets and political power. At international and
regional level this issue has been discussed at various forums and it is clear
that a concerted effort is needed, particularly in developing better mechanisms
to ensure timber legality. To
introduce the event and explain the complexity of the issue, it was started by a
film that was winner of 2 movie categories at the 31st International
Wildfilm Film Festival in 2008: “Forests of South-East Sulawesi”. It
portrayed community based forest management in South East Sulawesi, in which
collaboration between many players is needed, from the producer on the ground
(community), the government, up to the consumer. The film documents the local community’s innovative
and cooperative approach to combating the illegal timber trade. Presentations: ·
Dr. Federico Francisco Lopez-Casero, IGES: “Action
by consumer countries to tackle the international trade in illegal timber”.
He gave examples of some actions which address illegal logging and trade
particularly those that can be taken by people in consumer countries.
Governments in some wealthier countries such as EU, USA and Japan have also
developed some policies to address the issue although not all policies are
equally effective. There are also a lot of dialogues and collaborations at
regional levels such as FLEGT that lead to the development of some Voluntary
Partnership Agreements (VPAs). ·
Private sector, Amir Sunarko, PT.Sumalindo Lestari Jaya,Tbk: “Ensuring
the sustainability”. His presentation focused on what strategies have been
taken by Sumalindo to address the issue of legality and sustainability, such as
implementing of the HCVF approach as well as adopting FSC principles for natural
resource management and renewable resource or plantation. Moray Isles, DLH
Vietnam:”Are Timber Markets
changing? What are Implications for Industry, Forests, People and Governments? A
DLH Vietnam perspective”. Moray made an interesting
presentation about changes in the timber market and how DLH has adapted to these
changes; taking examples from DLH works in Vietnam. ·
NGOs perspective, Timer
Manurung, Telapak: “Is
legal and sustainable timber production important? Who for, and why?” Timer
focused on the issue of legal vs. sustainable forestry and argued that there
could be various combinations between legality and sustainability. He brought
up, for example, that a forest area can be harvested illegally but in
sustainable way. This is often the case with community forestry. ·
The community forest was also the focus of Caroline Imun’s presentation: “Timber
trade, Forest Law Compliance and Governance”: “Certifying Community
Forestry in Papua New Guinea”. In
PNG, the FSC certification system benefits the local community in many ways. She
pointed out that certification works must be supported by government and also
extended to private companies. Highlights
from the dialogue: ·
Markets are changing in ways that should encourage legal and
sustainable forest management and trade ·
This should assist legal and sustainable producers by excluding
unfair competition from illegal and unsustainable producers. ·
Governments can help these processes by streaming regulations for
both community and industrial producers to reduce costs and opportunities for
corruption ·
Governments should review their charges and royalty structures to
provide more direct incentives for producers to adopt legal and sustainable
production practices ·
Consumer and producer governments, development agencies, NGO’s,
and other relevant parties should work together to support accelerated capacity
building for both community and commercial enterprises seeking to move towards
legal and sustainable production ·
There is an immediate need for credible verification of legality to
help buyers and sellers determine what is legal and what is not Further information Co-hosted by
|
|
Last Update: Sunday, May 18, 2008 |
