Giving stakeholders a voice in EU-Liberia forestry agreement talks

Liberia is home to some of West Africa’s last remaining rainforests. Illegal logging has been a significant problem in the country, leading to biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, and reduced revenue from forestry, which is crucial for national development.

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal logging and promote sustainable forest management, Liberia has signed a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). The VPA, which came into force in December 2013, aims to ensure that timber and timber products exported to the EU comply with the West African country's legal framework, thereby promoting good governance, transparency, and sustainable forest management. To date, Liberia is one of ten nations to have signed such an agreement, and NIRAS is managing the country’s EU-FLEGT Facilitation Unit responsible for ensuring that stakeholders’ concerns are taken on board during implementation of the agreement.

This collaborative initiative involves regular interactions between Liberian and EU authorities, with the most recent – the 11^th Joint Implementation Committee – taking place in Monrovia on 17-24 June to make further progress on the agreement. In preparation, the EU-FLEGT Facilitation, VPA Support Unit and VPA Secretariat organised two days of advance consultations with representatives from forest communities, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the private sector, giving them an opportunity to share their challenges and the issues at stake, as well as comment on the content of the draft agenda for the upcoming meeting.

Already in May, community and CSO stakeholders from the National Union of Community Forest Development Committee, the National Union of Community Management Bodies and the NGO Coalition participated in a workshop to discuss improving benefit-sharing mechanisms for forest communities and the enhancement of transparency and accountability in forest governance. Recently, civil society's increased role in monitoring has led to a moratorium on new permits and stirred prosecutions for forest-related crimes, reflecting a strengthened rule of law. Nevertheless, many challenges remain for communities who seek better access to relevant forestry and compliance data and remain vigilant of illegal logging (especially kpokolo operators who produce high-value squared timber by chainsaw milling mostly for export).

A separate consultation also took place in May with the private (forest industry) sector involving groups like the Liberia Timber Association, commercial use contract holders, and chainsaw loggers alongside informal workers. This discussion stressed the need for timely government payment of community land rental fees and benefits to prevent conflicts with community dwellers who disrupt contract holders operations at concessions sites. Participants also expressed concern over the inadequate representation of the private sector at the VPA stakeholder meetings and in the overall VPA process, advocating for more inclusive and realistic participation.  

Both consultations provided food for thought, enriching the agenda of the forthcoming Joint Implementation Committee meeting and ensuring it will address the most pressing issues and contribute effectively to the ongoing implementation of the VPA. These engagements are seen as critical for fostering ownership and understanding among stakeholders, setting the stage for more effective governance and sustainable practices in Liberia’s forestry sector that help preserve these critical ecosystems for future generations.

For more information, visit main webportal for EU VPA background info and news.