FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa

1. FLEGT/VPA & Certification Systems – Experiences from Central Africa Martin Tadoum Deputy Executive Secretary - COMIFAC 1 Conference for future Generations, Berlin 11-12 June 2013

2. 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! 2 Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

3. 2. Some Facts of the Forestrysector in the Congo Basin • 200 millions ha of total forest area • 46 millions ha of forest concessions • 14 millions ha of forestmanagedwith management plan adopted • Contribution of forestsector 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 Centraleme Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

4. Cameroon C.A.R. DRC Gabon Congo 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 • 2011: Start of negotiations • Gabon • 2011: Start of negotiations Negotiation started Preparation and establishment of a consensus in the country Introduction to VPA FLEGT FLEGT License (not yet ready) System in development Formal negotiations Commission des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale

5. 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

6. 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

7. 5. Challenges Using synergies between FLEGT & Certification and WayForward • 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

8. Thank you for your attention! • COMMISSION DES FORETS D’AFRIQUE CENTRALE • Une dimension régionale pour la conservation • et la gestion durable des écosystèmes forestiers 8 • 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