On March 5th 2019, the 5th Multi-Stakeholders Core Group Meeting was held to develop an overall monitoring and evaluation framework for the implementation of the VPA Agreement including independent monitoring and impact assessment of economic, social and environmental agreement.

       With an aim to implement VPA / FLEGT Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) in the period of 2019-2020 approved by Ministry of Agriculture and Development (MARD), the Vietnam Administration of Forestry is developing an overall monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for implementation of the VPA Agreement. The content of the Terms of Reference for the M&E Framework being discussed at the 5th Multi-Stakeholders Core Group Meeting included 3 components: i) Assessing the operational readiness of the VNTLAS system; ii) Independent assessment; iii) Monitoring the impact of the VPA Agreement. Evaluation of VNTLAS operational readiness will be carried out before starting FLEGT licensing. Afterward, the independent assessment and monitoring of the impact of VPA, which were prepared and studied at the pre-FLEGT licensing stage will be implemented.

       The overall M&E framework for the implementation of the VPA agreement is used as a guideline for Vietnam, the EU and related parties in the VPA implementation process. It is expected that the M&E Framework will be developed by a national and international consultant team through a consultative process to ensure that the expectations between Vietnam, the EU and related parties are met, with the support of a number of staff from Vietnam Administration of Forestry, the EU and the multi-stakeholder core group. The M&E framework then will be submitted to the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) for approval.

       Supporting the Vietnam Administration of Forestry to develop an overall M&E framework for the implementation of the VPA Agreement is an activity which belongs to the project "Civil society organizations impact monitoring of the VPA in the context of FLEGT and REDD +" funded by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).

Below are some photos from the meeting:

The 5th Multi-Stakeholders Core Group Meeting was hosted by the leader of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry and Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFORES)

The presentation of content of the Terms of Reference for the M&E Framework

Some participants expressed opinions about the Terms of Reference for the M&E Framework.