5 June 2013: The Congo Basin Forest Partnership and the Commission des Forets d’Afrique Centrale (COMIFAC) have released the final report of the 6th Forum on Forest Governance in Africa. The report discusses Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT), the impacts of agricultural expansion and corruption in the forestry industry.

According to the report, there is significant industry support for the voluntary partnership agreements (VPA) with the European Union (EU), however, difficulties with implementation were identified, including tracking custodial chains.

To improve implementation of VPA’s, the report stresses the need for additional international support for timber tracking and coordinated communication strategies among governments in Central Africa. The report notes that communication and the use of media, in addition to information dissemination, can also encourage the engagement of local communities.

Finally, the report summarizes a number of threats to forests and forestry, especially with regard to expansion in the agricultural and mining industries. In addition to direct conversion, such activities also increase access to forests through road development, which results in additional deforestation and forest degradation.

The Forum convened from 2-3 April 2013 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. [6^e Forum sur la Gouvernance Foerstiere en Afrique]