FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems –
Experiences from Central Africa
Martin Tadoum
Deputy Executive Secretary - COMIFAC
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11/06/2013
CONFERENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, BERLIN 11-12 JUNE 2013
1. Background on COMIFAC Process
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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)
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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
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
Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centraleme
• 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
3. State of VPA FLEGT Process in the
Congo Basin
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
C.A.R.
• 2011: Start of negotiations
Gabon
• 2011: Start of negotiations
FLEGT License (not yet ready)
System in development
Formal negotiations
DRC
Cameroon
Gabon
Congo
Negotiation started
Preparation and establishment of a consensus in the country
Introduction to VPA FLEGT
Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale
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
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
5. Challenges Using synergies between
FLEGT & Certification and Way Forward
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Both processes have generally increased participation of stakeholders, notably of civil society and
are drivers for forest management improvements
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FLEGT: offers important change processes at national level
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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)
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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)
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The challenge remains to reconcile or harmonize the two processes for mutual acknowledgement
by international markets (EU Commission)
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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
Thank you for your attention!
COMMISSION DES FORETS D’AFRIQUE CENTRALE
Une dimension régionale pour la conservation
et la gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers
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Tél : (+237) 22 21 35 11 (+237) 22 21 35 12 Fax: (+237) 22 20 48 03 BP. 20818 Yaoundé Cameroun
Email : comifac@comifac.org - comifac2005@yahoo.fr Site web : www.comifac.org