1. Update on FLEGT VPA processes internationally Presentation by Jannik Vaa, EU Delegation, Accra June 7th, 2011 West Africa Forest Governance Forum

2. What is FLEGT? FLEGT- Forest Law Enforcement Governance & Trade. International concern over illegal logging Strong political commitment to address this at international and regional levels (expressed in regional summit in 2003 in Yaounde) EU response: partnerships to address the problem and new policies to influence consumer demand. Frames the interest of European consumer market to reinforce governance reform in timber producing countries.

3. The VPA A legally-binding agreement: –EU (all Member States) and a partner country –Export License assures market of legal compliance Targets/objectives : –Work together to stop illegal logging –Strengthen governance & transparency –Improve control, track & verify legal compliance –Reform policy and law –Build capacity –Better capture revenues –Secure & improve market access

4. VPA No blueprint : defined together EU has requirements – briefing notes –Legality  existing laws of partner country –Timber legality assurance system of partner country  evaluated against established criteria –Multi-stakeholder process: ensure credibility nationally and internationally Purpose to strengthen, clarify & apply reforms and what has already been developed

6. VPAs concluded – FLEGT – Progress so far 20 Nov 2009 End 2011? Ghana Cameroon R.O.C. End 2012 17 May 2010 6 Sept 2010 July 2012 Development and Challenges Implementation : has started but more slowly than expected – how to keep political momentum : complexity of LAS development Priority goes to the establishment of the traceability system & Other actions may receive less priority Funding issue – how to avoid moving from a political dialogue to a classical development project dialogue ? Private sector and civil society less proactive Development of synergies with REDD C.A.R Initialled December 2010 Jan 2014 Liberia Indonesia Initialled 4 May 2011 Initialled May 2011 ? 2014

7. VPAs in negotiation Gabon Opening 24 September Development and Challenges Malaysia: Internal negotiation process between the three Malaysian States before bilateral negotiations can start up again. Gabon: Opening Sept. 2010. Expected conclusion dec.2011 Strong stakeholder consultation process setup National traceability system – not much to build on; markets coverage; small permits vs concessions; logs vs processed timber Malaysia ?

8. VPAs in negotiation Vietnam DRC Opening 24 October Opening 29 November Development and Challenges DRC: Opened Oct 2010. 1st negotiation Feb 2011 Preparatory work on legality with stakeholders; Challenges of artisanal timber; decentralisation; East Africa markets and conflict Vietnam: Aim at concluding by mid 2012 Challenge to deal with a major processing hub. 80% imports from 26 countries Stakeholder process to be designed

9. Thank You