David Brown & Hans Thiel

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VERIFOR – UPDATEVERIFOR – UPDATE

Chatham House, 21 July 2006Chatham House, 21 July 2006

DavidDavid Brown & Hans ThielBrown & Hans Thiel

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Today’s Presentation:Today’s Presentation:

1)1) Review of outputs: negotiating the Review of outputs: negotiating the website, website, www.verifor.orgwww.verifor.org

2)2) VERIFOR in Latin AmericaVERIFOR in Latin America

3)3) Broader Latin America FLEG Update Broader Latin America FLEG Update

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RECAP OF THE VERIFOR PROJECTRECAP OF THE VERIFOR PROJECT

Four International partnersFour International partners

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We focus on:We focus on: Institutional dimensions of verificationInstitutional dimensions of verification

• PoliciesPolicies• Institutions ~ rules & principlesInstitutions ~ rules & principles• Social IssuesSocial Issues• Mechanisms of inclusion and participationMechanisms of inclusion and participation

Phase One:Phase One: – Learning fromLearning from existing systems & practices:existing systems & practices:

forest sector case studies forest sector case studies extra-sectoral case studies extra-sectoral case studies

− Sharing of experience & developing principles for future Sharing of experience & developing principles for future implementationimplementation

Meetings/conferences/consultations/other support activitiesMeetings/conferences/consultations/other support activities

2. 2. Phase Two:Phase Two: – Policy process developmentPolicy process development

Advice to requesting parties to help build VSAdvice to requesting parties to help build VS Networking & sharing of knowledgeNetworking & sharing of knowledge

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Phase One OutputsPhase One Outputs

• Publications:Publications:– VERIFOR Briefing PapersVERIFOR Briefing Papers

• Country case studies – forest sectorCountry case studies – forest sector• Extrasectoral case studiesExtrasectoral case studies• Thematic studiesThematic studies• Options Papers Options Papers • Invited Invited ‘Controversies’‘Controversies’ papers: papers:

– E.g. Marcus Colchester: ‘Social Dimensions of Verification in E.g. Marcus Colchester: ‘Social Dimensions of Verification in FLEGTFLEGT

– NewslettersNewsletters

• Meetings:Meetings:– Mallorca Experts Consultation (April, 2006)Mallorca Experts Consultation (April, 2006)– Contributions to national and international meetings Contributions to national and international meetings

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Phase One Case StudiesPhase One Case Studies- Forest Sector- Forest Sector

• Main studies [10]:Main studies [10]:– BrazilBrazil– Costa RicaCosta Rica– EcuadorEcuador– CambodiaCambodia– IndonesiaIndonesia– MalaysiaMalaysia– PhilippinesPhilippines– CameroonCameroon– GhanaGhana– Canada (BC)Canada (BC)

• Scoping/thematic Scoping/thematic [prospective]:[prospective]:– BoliviaBolivia– HondurasHonduras– NicaraguaNicaragua– Trans-border (C.America)Trans-border (C.America)– China CFsChina CFs– NepalNepal– PNGPNG– The Solomon IslandsThe Solomon Islands– Congo-BrazzavilleCongo-Brazzaville– DRCDRC– Tasmania?Tasmania?

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Extra-sectoralExtra-sectoral• Main studies [5]Main studies [5]

– Kimberley ProcessKimberley Process– Nuclear safeguardsNuclear safeguards– CITESCITES– UNFCCC/KyotoUNFCCC/Kyoto– Food Standards Food Standards

(meat hygiene standards ~(meat hygiene standards ~

UK/Netherlands)UK/Netherlands)

• Additional [prospective]Additional [prospective]– Ombudsmen/Ombudsmen/

médiateursmédiateurs– Labour standardsLabour standards– International election International election

monitoringmonitoring– Fisheries managementFisheries management

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THE MALLORCA MEETINGTHE MALLORCA MEETING

34 international participants, forest 34 international participants, forest sector & extra-sectoral specialistssector & extra-sectoral specialists

Focused discussion around Focused discussion around 4 key 4 key institutional themesinstitutional themes::

• Ownership Ownership • IndependenceIndependence• Legality StandardsLegality Standards• ImpactsImpacts

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POLITICAL POLITICAL MANDATEMANDATE

LEGAL BASISLEGAL BASIS DESIGN DESIGN RESULTSRESULTS

The object:The object:

The aims of The aims of verificationverification

-Good governance Good governance -ConservationConservation-Growth Growth -Poverty reductionPoverty reduction

The object:The object:

The ‘rules of the The ‘rules of the game’game’

-Legal framework Legal framework -Legal traditionLegal tradition-Standards of performanceStandards of performance-Rights & responsibilities Rights & responsibilities -Compliance regime Compliance regime -Access to information & Access to information & justicejustice

The object:The object:

The design of the The design of the verification systemverification system

-Building blocksBuilding blocks-Organisational Organisational characteristicscharacteristics-ArchitectureArchitecture

The object:The object:

The outcomes The outcomes of verificationof verification

-Public supportPublic support-Progressive Progressive governancegovernance-Effects on poorEffects on poor-Objectives metObjectives met-Collateral factors Collateral factors

Process:Process:

The driversThe drivers

-Individual and Individual and organisational drivers: organisational drivers: local, national, local, national, internationalinternational-Political culturePolitical culture

Process:Process:

Policy closure – actors Policy closure – actors and authorityand authority

-SupervisionSupervision-FacilitationFacilitation-ParticipationParticipation

Process:Process:

The delivery of The delivery of verificationverification

-ParticipationParticipation-Resolution of conflictsResolution of conflicts-PhasingPhasing

Process:Process:

Measurement and Measurement and interpretationinterpretation

Key theme:Key theme: - - OWNERSHIPOWNERSHIP

Key theme:Key theme: - - LEGALITY STANDARDLEGALITY STANDARD

Key theme:Key theme: - - INDEPENDENCEINDEPENDENCE

Key theme:Key theme: - - IMPACTSIMPACTS

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PLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEADPLANS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

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Main Research AreasMain Research Areas• Work on Work on terminology and definitionsterminology and definitions

• Typologies of Typologies of andand decision-trees decision-trees for verification system design for verification system design

• Demand-driven researchDemand-driven research: : – Support to interested producer countries/partnersSupport to interested producer countries/partners

• Thematic researchThematic research on issues such as: on issues such as:

– Multi-stakeholder negotiationsMulti-stakeholder negotiations

– How to make FLEG initiatives ‘pro-poor’?How to make FLEG initiatives ‘pro-poor’?

– Technological toolsTechnological tools

– Incentives for industryIncentives for industry

– Decentralisation Decentralisation

– Trans-border tradeTrans-border trade

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VERIFOR IN LATIN AMERICAVERIFOR IN LATIN AMERICA

Hans ThielHans Thiel

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VERIFOR will contribute to:VERIFOR will contribute to:

1.1. The generation and management of The generation and management of knowledge about VSknowledge about VS

2.2. Improve existing verification Improve existing verification systems in partner countriessystems in partner countries

3.3. Strengthen processes oriented to Strengthen processes oriented to establish new VSestablish new VS

4.4. The political dialogue / political will The political dialogue / political will to put in place a VSto put in place a VS

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Dissemination of findingsDissemination of findings• Workshops / conferences in Honduras, Nicaragua, Workshops / conferences in Honduras, Nicaragua,

Costa Rica*, Ecuador*, ColombiaCosta Rica*, Ecuador*, Colombia• Central American Commission on Environment Central American Commission on Environment

and Development (CCAD)and Development (CCAD)• FAO Forestry Commission for LAC (COFLAC)FAO Forestry Commission for LAC (COFLAC)• Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization (OTCA): Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization (OTCA):

ALFA Workshop (Brasilia, August 06)ALFA Workshop (Brasilia, August 06)• Latin American Workshop on Technologies for Latin American Workshop on Technologies for

Verification in the Forest Sector (Lima, Sept. 2006) Verification in the Forest Sector (Lima, Sept. 2006) • International Union of Forest Research International Union of Forest Research

Organization Conference for Latin-American Organization Conference for Latin-American (IUFRO-LAC) (Santiago, September 06)(IUFRO-LAC) (Santiago, September 06)

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Contribute to improve existing VSContribute to improve existing VSCosta Rica: support to Strategy against illegal Costa Rica: support to Strategy against illegal

logging in cooperation with FAO SINAC TCPlogging in cooperation with FAO SINAC TCPProposal to give the Forest Regents greater Proposal to give the Forest Regents greater

independence from loggersindependence from loggersProposal for a information system to link Proposal for a information system to link

administration, control and verification administration, control and verification instancesinstances

Recommendations to make normative Recommendations to make normative reforms to simplify C+I for SFM (109 criteria reforms to simplify C+I for SFM (109 criteria <- certification)<- certification)

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The effect of overregulationThe effect of overregulationWood consumed in Costa Rica ( Jiménez, 2005)

383.49254%

144.55620%

30.7914%154.729

22% Legal y Sostenible(Bosque)

Legal y Sostenible*(Plant y SAF)

Legal** y NO Sostenible(AFB)

ILEGAL

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Contribute to improve VSContribute to improve VS

Ecuador: support the NWG and the National Multi-Ecuador: support the NWG and the National Multi-stakeholder Dialogue towards the design and stakeholder Dialogue towards the design and discussion of a decentralized Forest Control discussion of a decentralized Forest Control SystemSystem

• strong effort to include all stakeholders, specially strong effort to include all stakeholders, specially indigenous forest ownersindigenous forest owners

• effort to place the process on a high political effort to place the process on a high political level and gain ownership of provinceslevel and gain ownership of provinces

• withdrawal of NGOs: “policy closure” dilemawithdrawal of NGOs: “policy closure” dilema

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FOREST DIRECTORATE

CONTRACTED VERIFICATION SERVICES

-CONTROL TIMBER HARVESTING OPERATIONS-FILLING OUT TRANSPORT PERMITS AT LANDING

- REVISION OF MANAGEMENT PLANS -GIVING OUT LOGGING LICENCES -GIVING OUT TRANSPORT PERMITS -COLLECTING STUMPAGE TAXES

IN

F

O

R

M

A

T

I

O

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CONTRACTED FOREST

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN

LOCAL OFFICES

NATIONAL OUTSOURCED FOREST CONTROL SYSTEM

G I S

STATISTICS

VIGILANCIAVERDE

CONTROL OF TIMBER

TRANSPORTS ON ROADS

FOREST REGENT

DELEGATED CONTROLLING + ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN THE

FIELD

-CONTROL TIMBER TRANSPORTS (ROADS)-GRANTING SOCIAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY

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NATIONAL FOREST DIRECTORATE

CONTRACTED VERIFICATION SERVICES

-RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HARVESTING PLAN-FILLING OUT TRANSPORT PERMITS AT LANDING

- REVISION OF HARVESTING PLANS -GIVING OUT LOGGING LICENCES -GIVING OUT TRANSPORT PERMITS -COLLECTING STUMPAGE TAXES

IN

F

O

R

M

A

T

I

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DECENTRALIZED FOREST

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN PROVINCIAL

OFFICES

NATIONAL DECENTRALIZED FOREST CONTROL SYSTEM

G I S

STATISTICS

FOREST GUARD

(POLICE, ARMED

FORCES AND PROVINCE OFFICIALS)

FOREST REGENT

DELEGATED PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES IN THE FIELD

-CONTROL TIMBER TRANSPORTS (ROADS)-GRANTING SOCIAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY

VIGILANCIAVERDE

CIVIC WATCHDOG TO OVERSEE THE WHOLE SYSTEM

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New system Ecuador:New system Ecuador:

Differentiated but complementary roles for Differentiated but complementary roles for the provincial and national forest authority the provincial and national forest authority (land use, administration, sanction, (land use, administration, sanction, accreditation of regentsaccreditation of regents

Agree on a financing strategy and Agree on a financing strategy and mechanism: forest regents clear role and mechanism: forest regents clear role and financial independence from loggersfinancial independence from loggers

Role of Vigilancia Verde Role of Vigilancia Verde onlyonly watchdog watchdogOnly verification services outsourcedOnly verification services outsourced

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Contribute to establish new VSContribute to establish new VS• Honduras: support to legislative reform Honduras: support to legislative reform

towards a new VS: forest regents, towards a new VS: forest regents, information systeminformation system

• NicaraguaNicaragua

• Colombia: support to the ruling of the new Colombia: support to the ruling of the new (April 06) Forest Law to establish a (April 06) Forest Law to establish a decentralized forest control system: forest decentralized forest control system: forest “agents”, outsourced verification bodies, “agents”, outsourced verification bodies, national information systemnational information system

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FLEGT issues in LACFLEGT issues in LAC

Singularities:Singularities:• LAC timber marketLAC timber market

– national and regional consumption patternsnational and regional consumption patterns– % of exports to European market% of exports to European market– share of timber exports to total exports share of timber exports to total exports

• LAC has strong nationally driven processes LAC has strong nationally driven processes towards forest law compliancetowards forest law compliance– NFP BrazilNFP Brazil– New forest regime BoliviaNew forest regime Bolivia– Costa Rica, Honduras Costa Rica, Honduras – Outsourced -> decentralized control scheme EcuadorOutsourced -> decentralized control scheme Ecuador

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Political dialoguePolitical dialogue• Brazil sovereignty over the Amazon Basin ( <- Brazil sovereignty over the Amazon Basin ( <-

global public goods )global public goods )• FLEGT is seen to be a northern interests driven FLEGT is seen to be a northern interests driven

process to ban “illegal” wood from the market process to ban “illegal” wood from the market without having an impact on the underlying without having an impact on the underlying causes of deforestation and land use change for causes of deforestation and land use change for agriculture: proof of legality for soybean oil?*agriculture: proof of legality for soybean oil?*

• FLEGT is becoming a non word in the region FLEGT is becoming a non word in the region and has muted from FLEG in Spanish to and has muted from FLEG in Spanish to ALFAALFA

Aplicación de la Legislación Forestal en la Aplicación de la Legislación Forestal en la AmazoníaAmazonía – Meeting under the umbrella of – Meeting under the umbrella of OTCA to be held in Brasilia late August 2006OTCA to be held in Brasilia late August 2006

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ALFA (FLEGALFA (FLEGTT) opportunities:) opportunities:

• Some countries with big potential to Some countries with big potential to exemplify verification systemsexemplify verification systems

• Potential for a constructive negotiation Potential for a constructive negotiation with less pressures and market driven with less pressures and market driven interestsinterests

• There is a big need to inform governments There is a big need to inform governments and society of the EU-FLEGT Action Plan and society of the EU-FLEGT Action Plan and its opportunities (win-win)and its opportunities (win-win)

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