Ivory Coast and the European Union (EU) concluded on Wednesday 19 October in Abidjan a “Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Forest Trade” (FLEGT).
The agreement, which falls within the framework of the fight against illegal logging and the promotion of the sustainability of the timber trade, was initialed by the Ivorian Minister of Water and Forests, Laurent Tchagba, and the Director General for international partnerships at the European Commission, Koen Doens. The text guarantees that the wood imported from this West African country has been produced in a legal manner.
The EU will support the efforts of Côte d’Ivoire in the management of its natural resources. “This agreement with Côte d’Ivoire is an important step in our efforts to promote sustainable forest management, combat illegal logging and deforestation, and build partnerships with producer countries to ensure that all wood that enters the European market is legal,” said Koen.
The Ivorian government has shown, for years, its firm desire to improve its forest governance in order to reverse the trend towards deforestation. The forestry sector represents the fourth source of export revenue by value.
By OMA Newsletter N° 907 of 21/10/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
