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Video: Reflections on the VPA and way forward
The FLEGT VPA has been ongoing for nine years. It has improved the Thai timber sector in various aspects, especially by establishing an efficient supply chain control and certification system, which will strengthen the position of Thai timber products on the international market. It has established and maintained a robust multi-stakeholder participatory process, enabling the government, private sector and civil societies to collaborate on regulatory reform and strengthen good governance in the Thai timber sector. /*! elementor - v3.6.2 - 04-04-2022 */ .elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block} Moving forward, TEFSO launched a survey from Oct – Dec 2022 to gather stakeholders’ opinions, which would lay a foundation for the next phase plan. Building on the survey results, we also sought interviews with the Royal Forest Department, Fast-Growing Tree Association and RECOFTC to get their insightful opinions. See the video for the summary of the survey results, views and recommendations from our stakeholders.
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EU and Côte d’Ivoire conclude negotiations on an agreement to combat illegal logging
On 19 October 2022, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire concluded negotiations for a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The Agreement will help improve forest governance, fight against illegal logging and support Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to improve the management of its natural resources. The conclusion of the negotiations celebrated on 19 October materialises with the initialling, an administrative procedure that confirms that both parties adhere to the content of the Agreement. The next step for Côte d’Ivoire and the EU will be to sign and then ratify the VPA, thus making its commitments legally binding.Initiated in 2013, the VPA negotiations have been very participatory, including representatives of civil society organisations, the private sector, Ivorian ministries and government agencies, and traditional chiefs.So far, these negotiations have helped Côte d’Ivoire to implement important legal and policy reforms in the forest sector. This includes recognising the property rights of farmers and landowners, and strengthening requirements for forest planning, management and traceability. The VPA also contributes to a better integration of women in forest resources management.With the signature in sight, the emphasis will shift to implementing the Agreement. The VPA will put in place a traceability system to ensure that all timber traded on the Ivorian domestic market, as well as international markets, is legal. This includes trade with the EU, but also regional timber trade.Besides forest governance and timber legality, the VPA will also contribute to better forest management, transparency and accountability in the sector. This will help in the fight against climate change and increase the Ivorian state’s revenue from a more competitive forestry industry.Source: EU and Côte d’Ivoire conclude negotiations on an agreement to combat illegal logging (2022) The VPA Africa – Latin America Facility . Available at: https://flegtvpafacility.org/eu-cote-divoire-conclude-negotiations-agreement-combat-illegal-logging/ (Accessed: October 28, 2022).
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Thailand plans for an e-timber license, pilot test on its way
22 Sep. 2022 - At the 6th FLEGT VPA Ad-Hoc Working Group Meeting, the Royal Forest Department presented the current development of the e-timber license. The electronic system will streamline licensing by allowing operators to request and obtain licenses online. Pilot testing will take place in November before launching. The electronic system could later be used to operate the Thai Timber Legality Assurance System (THA-TLAS). The Royal Forest Department has started discussions with other government agencies on the possibility of data sharing to allow access to relevant data for checking legal compliances.The current regulatory development was informed at the meeting. A new draft regulation on timber imports and exports has passed the public hearing and will enter into force after the cabinet’s approval. The new draft will strengthen the traceability of Thailand’s supply chain by requiring that only certified timber and timber products will be allowed to export from or import to Thailand.To facilitate legal timber trade, the Royal Forest Department will start deliberating laws that obstructed businesses. The legal review committee has been convened and is expected to conclude in the next two years. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */
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Timber Insider: Prasert Iamdeengamlert talked sawmills in the changing market
A sawmill is a place of primary processing where timber was turned into lumber readied to be further processed into a final product. Sawmill plays an essential role in…
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FLEGT VPA Ad-Hoc Working Group Meeting 10/2564 – Conclusion of Product Scope Annexes before negotiation with the EU
24 Nov. 2021 – FLEGT VPA Ad-Hoc Working Group welcomed the newly appointed Director-General of the Royal Forest Department (RFD), Surachai A-Cha-La-Bool, as chair of the meeting. Mr. A-Cha-La-Bool…
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In a Nutshell: An easy infographic guide to FLEGT VPA
This series of infographics will walk you through the main ideas of the Thailand-EU FLEGT VPA and how it impacts all stakeholders in the forest sector from the government,…
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FAO-EU FLEGT Programme and SFT-LMR team met with RFD Director-General reaffirming the commitment on collaboration to tackle deforestation
4 Nov. 2021 – FAO teams; the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme, led by Bruno Cammaert, and the Sustainable Forest Trade in the Lower Mekong Region (SFT-LMR) led by Mathieu Van…
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Online seminar: Rights of citizen and government’s role in the public disclosure of information
Public disclosure of information is essential for good governance, transparency, and participation in the forest sector. By joining the FLEGT VPA process, Thailand commits to strengthening governance in the forest…
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Workshop on Public Disclosure of Information: Relevant government confirmed a proactiveness in the current public information handling and shared good practices and recommendations for future improvement
The mechanism for disclosing and accessing public information is essential for building transparency and good governance in the forest sector. Every group will benefit from the robust public information…
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Gearing up to the upcoming Thailand-EU Negotiation, the ad-hoc working group endorsed three annexes
20 May 2021 – The ad-hoc working group met through the Zoom application to assess the current progress of the FLEGT VPA drafting. The working group had a final…
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The first Technical Meeting between Sub-working groups and European Forest Institute expediting the draft conclusion preparing for this year Thai-EU Negotiation
On 1 and 8 April 2021, the sub-working groups overseeing the drafting of supply chain control on private land (SCC on PL), import control, THA-TLAS, and Thai supply chain…
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The sub-working group leaders collaborated on the strategic plan to speed up the FLEGT VPA process in Thailand
On 16 November 2020, the sub-working group leaders held a meeting to discuss the FLEGT VPA negotiation’s onward action plan until the Fifth Negotiation (NEG 5).
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