On September 3rd, 2018, Thai – EU FLEGT Secretariat Office (TEFSO) had arranged the Fifth Ad-Hoc Working Group (AHWG 5/2018) at Tulip meeting room, Rama Garden Hotel, Bangkok. On behalf of The Director General of the Thai Royal Forest Department, the meeting led by Mr Banjong Wongsrisoontorn, the director of the Royal Forest Certification Office, aimed to report results from the Fourth Joint Expert Meeting (JEM4) and the Second FLEGT VPA Negotiation (NEG2).

Besides, there were updates on other relevant issues starting with updates on options on supply chain control on private land by Mr James Sandom, a consultant. After that, the updates on legality definition revision was provided by the leader of the sub-working group before the updates on timber legality assurance system and supply chain control by the leader of this sub-working group. Then, the chairman of the Thai Timber Association and the leader of the import control sub-working group presented their updates on import control. Before going to the next session, it was requested for resolution on TEFSO work plan in relevant with VPA roadmap which, as a result, this work plan was approved.

Before the meeting ended, an update regarding project’s work plan and progress of RECOFTC was presented and the meeting acknowledged. For the next meeting, it was agreed to hold on 3rd October this year (2018).