FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa

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FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa Martin Tadoum Deputy Executive Secretary - COMIFAC CONFERENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, BERLIN 11-12 JUNE 2013 11/06/2013 1

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FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa. Martin Tadoum Deputy Executive Secretary - COMIFAC. 1. 1. Background on COMIFAC Process. 1999: Yaoundé Declaration 2005: Creation of COMIFAC and adoption of the Convergence Plan - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa

Page 1: FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa

FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa

Martin Tadoum Deputy Executive Secretary - COMIFAC

CONFERENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, BERLIN 11-12 JUNE 201311/06/2013

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1. Background on COMIFAC Process

• 1999: Yaoundé Declaration • 2005: Creation of COMIFAC and adoption of the

Convergence Plan • COMIFAC’s Mandate: Oversee the implementation of

the COMIFAC Convergence Plan (10 Strategic Areas (SA)) for the conservation and sustainable management of central African forest ecosystems, e.g.– Harmonization of the forest and taxation policies (SA 1)– Management of forest concessions and protected areas (SA 3)– Forest certification and traceability (SA 5)– Combating illegal logging and poaching (SA 5)

• In 2006 a COMIFAC task force (A)FLEG(T) was created in Bangui to (i) monitor the FLEGT process at regional level, (ii) to improve the level of information, communication and exchange, (iii) to strengthen the capacities of the actors on AFLEG and FLEGT and (iv) to lobby for Good Governance in the forest sector. In 2013 a Working Group on Forest Governance was reinitiated!

11/06/2013

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Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

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2. Some Facts of the Forestry sector in the Congo Basin

• 200 millions ha of total forest area • 46 millions ha of forest concessions• 14 millions ha of forest managed with

management plan adopted• Contribution of forest sector to GDP: 1-13% (SOF,

2010) • 9 millions m3 of timber production in 2009 (SOF,

2010)• Main destinations of timber: UE, Asia

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centraleme

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3. State of VPA FLEGT Process in the Congo Basin

Congo

C.A.R.

Cameroon Gabon

DRC

FLEGT License (not yet ready)System in developmentFormal negotiations

Negotiation startedPreparation and establishment of a consensus in the countryIntroduction to VPA FLEGT

Cameroon• 2007: Start of negotiations• 19.03.2010 Ratification of VPA

CAR• 2009: Start of negotiations• 19.04.2012 Ratification of VPA

Congo• 2008: Start of negotiations• 04.07.2012 Ratification of VPA

DRC• 2011: Start of negotiations

Gabon• 2011: Start of negotiations

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

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4. Progress in Forest certification in Central Africa

• The first forest concession in the region was certified (FSC) in December 2005: Wijma Douala Ldt. (41,965 ha.)

• Regional FSC standard in place since April 2012, after a lengthy process with strong involvement of private sector; government, and civil society

• The regional standard needs now to be translated into national standards

• PEFC/PAFC process for the development of a national standard started in Gabon

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

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4. Progress in Forest certification in Central Africa (cont.)

• Today: 4,2 Mio. ha certified (FSC) in three countries (Gabon, Congo, Cam.) (down from 5,3 Mio. Ha)

• 9,3% of 45 Mio. Ha of forest concessions in the region are certified (total forest area in the Congo Basin 168 Mio. Ha)

• Persisting strong criticism from some NGOs towards forest certification in the Congo Basin

• Marked offers (mostly) no premium• Importance for clear and transparent

complaints mechanism of certification body

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

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5. Challenges Using synergies between FLEGT & Certification and Way Forward

• Both processes have generally increased participation of stakeholders, notably of civil society and are drivers for forest management improvements

• FLEGT: offers important change processes at national level Way of working within the Government Way of working of stakeholders Relationship between private sector and communities Transparence Regulations of the forestry sector Law and policy Role of stakeholders in monitoring forest governance

• Forest certification: offers important change processes at concession level (and national, regional levels for standard development) Improvement of sustainable (and social inclusive) forest management in the region Improved ways of working with riverine populations of concessions, recognition of user rights of indigenous populations, etc. Environmental safeguards (HCV)

• The challenge remains to reconcile or harmonize the two processes for mutual acknowledgement by international markets (EU Commission)

• Asian players enter increasingly the region with little interest in sustainable forest management. The challenge will be to get those on board to assure our joint efforts to advance sustainable forest management in the region. Here the COMIFAC has launched a dialogue with China to work on guidelines for Chinese companies active in the region to obey sustainability principles and criteria

Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

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Thank you for your attention!

Tél : (+237) 22 21 35 11 (+237) 22 21 35 12 Fax: (+237) 22 20 48 03 BP. 20818 Yaoundé Cameroun Email : [email protected] - [email protected] Site web : www.comifac.org

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Une dimension régionale pour la conservation et la gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers

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