REG/Support to FLEGT process in Vietnam

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The European Union (EU) adopted its Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan in 2003 to combat illegal logging and the associated trade and to strengthen forest governance. A key element of the Action Plan is to establish Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) which are bilateral agreements between the EU and timber exporting countries. The aim is to increase the supply of legal timber and timber products as well as to enhance sustainable development, forest management and taxation. EU and Vietnam started formal VPA negotiations in mid 2010 which are targeted to end in 2014. The VPA will obligate Vietnam to guarantee the legality of all timber products and imported timber. Finland has supported the VPA negotiations through European Forest Institute (EFI) since 2011. The support will continue for two more years (2013-2015). The FLEGT Facilitator supports EU and Vietnam during the remainder of negotiation stage and for the commencement of VPA implementation. During the negotiation stage the Facilitator supports the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST), the EU Delegation and the European Commission in the negotiations, strengthens multistakeholder dialogue and information dissemination amongst national stakeholders (including civil society and private sector) as well as enhances coherence and coordination of FLEGT related activities and other cooperation strengthening forest governance. During the implementation phase the Facilitator will support the continuation of stakeholder engagement through VPA implementation activities and will provide support to the setting up of consultation mechanisms for VPA implementation and verification systems as negotiated in the agreement. Web site of European Forest Institute: www.efi.int