On August 25, 2021, the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Forest Governance Monitoring and Sustainable Timber Trade was organized virtually by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in collaboration with the Vietnam Administration Forestry (VNFOREST), funded by European Union (EU). The Forum was a continuation of the 3rd Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Forest Governance and Sustainable Timber Trade Monitoring in October, 2020. This Forum aimed at promoting effectively the participation of organizations in monitoring forest governance according the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) and the Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The Forum was chaired by Ms. Vu Thi Bich Hop – Executive Director of SRD cum Chairwoman of VNGO-FLEGT and VNGO-EVFTA Networks, Mr. Pham Van Dien – Deputy Director General of VNFOREST and Mr. Koen Duchateau – Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Viet Nam. Additionally, there were 96 participants and representatives from Ministries, Departments, NGOs, small and medium sized enterprises, universities and research institutions as well as the media.
There were 09 presentations of individuals and CSOs in order to provide an overview on forest governance and sustainable timber trade. Mr. Nguyen Phu Hung – Deputy Director of SRD, EVFTA Project Manager reported on the first-year results of the project “Promoting forest governance and legal timber trade through the Vietnam – EVFTA Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)”. The report indicated that
(i) The VNGO-FLEGT Network has been established and actively participated in monitoring mechanisms with inclusive CSOs’ participation in the implementation of the EVFTA and VPA/FLEGT;
(ii) Network members have been strengthened through training courses, forums on forest governance and legal timber trade as well as measures to combat illegal timber trade;
(iii) A communication strategy was designed to unify actions of Network members; and
(iv) SRD was recognized as a member of Viet Nam Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs)
The project has also coordinated with third parties to conduct 03 researches. By being presented, it was emphasized the lessons learnt for coming years.
Moreover, participants provided reports and comments on important topics such as “Demand for domestic timber plantation to meet report targets in the context of the EVFTA and VPA commitments”, “Environmental and social issues of timber processing enterprises towards the provisions of the EVFTA – Chapter 13”, and “Rights of ethnic minorities over forest and forest land towards the implementation of the EVFTA – Chapter 13 and VPA”. A communication strategy of the VNGO-EVFTA Network and the Second Year Work Plan were designed and presented in detail.
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
