The fifth meeting for the promotion of the Asia Forest Partnership (AFP) was held in Yokohama City, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, from November 13 to 15, 2005, and was organized by the Japanese and Indonesian governments, the Center for International Forestry Research and the Nature Conservancy, an environmental non-governmental organization (NGO). The approximately 150 representatives came from 23 governments (primarily AFP member countries), seven international organizations, research institutes, NGOs and industries.

The AFP, a major outcome of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, was formed to promote sustainable forest management in Asia through the control of illegal logging, prevention of forest fires, and rehabilitation and reforestation of degraded lands.

At the meeting, a report outlining the setting up of a steering committee and secretariat comprising concerned AFP partners was adopted. While the report included measures to strengthen the AFP and its decision-making processes, Japan and Indonesia were appointed as co-chairs of the committee.

In relation to measures to stop illegal logging, the meeting heard reports on the development of mandatory standards on legality and a timber tracking system, control of illegal logging through the Japanese government's procurement policy and the actual condition of illegal logging in Indonesia.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/fishery/afp/general0211.html

Posted: 2006/03/29 06:29:48 PM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Government , NGO/Citizen , University/Research institute