SDI: SDI’s Forest Governance Program Coordinator Participates in International Forum on Forestry; Highlights Liberia’s Progress
Accra, Ghana/11/04/2024: The Program Coordinator of the Forest Governance Program (FGP) at the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), Jonathan W. Yiah, has participated in the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC) Ghana Forum.
The BMRC aims to provide a strong, single voice to communicate members’ National Sustainable Forestry Systems (NSFS) and the products they deliver worldwide. Mr. Yiah during the forum presented Liberia’s progress highlighting that through the Interim Secretariat Liberia organized a brainstorming session in November 2023 on the BMRC history and roadmap which culminated in an endorsement statement by Liberian forest stakeholders.
Held from October 29-31, 2024 in Accra, Ghana, the forum brought together the six founding members. They include: Indonesia, Guyana, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, and the Republic of Congo. All these countries were represented by civil society, the private sector, and the government. Papua New Guinea, Gabon and Vietnam participated in the forum as observer countries. On the first day, participants learned about BMRC and why was it created.
Opportunities were provided to the member countries to update the forum on how each has progressed since the BMRC forum in Bali in March 2023.
The second day elaborated how the multi-stakeholder process is key to National Sustainable Forestry Systems, the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process being a good example of such. The BMRC will endeavor to ensure the design of an inclusive process and system. All new members to be admitted into the BMRC will have to ensure this kind of inclusive process.
Ghana and Indonesia provided highlights of their national systems and how they function. Indonesia is the only VPA country that is issuing the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) license and Ghana is close to doing so in 2025. Indonesia Independent Forest Monitoring (IFM) is integrated into its SVLK (traceability system) and obligates IFM by NGOs. Since 2020, there has been increased monitoring by CSOs/NGOs and their monitoring reports can be uploaded on the SVLK portal.
While they may have robust CSO monitoring and even their reports are uploaded on the Indonesian traceability system, they have similar challenges to Liberia in terms of effective follow-up on monitoring reports. Duncan Brack, a forestry expert with Chatham House, presented on Legal Timber requirements of key consumer countries. Japan and South Korea have legal requirements for import, China enacted a timber legislation but is not clear on legal requirements and Australia, UK, US and EU have detailed legislation. While on this discussion, a participant suggested that Indonesia should communicate its concern about the VPA cancellation, being a mandatory system.
The last day [day 3] culminated with elaborating the National Committee. There were issues related to best practices and challenges related to government involvement and ownership. There may be the need for a new national committee in each country given that BMRC is a new initiative. Additionally, the role of the private sector in the formation of the National Committee needs clarity and the funding arrangements are all issues that need to be further elaborated by the Interim Secretariat.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.