17 October 2006
UNECE/FAO FORUM ADDRESSES ILLEGAL LOGGING, PROCUREMENT POLICIES
story highlights

At the annual policy forum of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), held on 5 October 2006, in Geneva, Switzerland, several governments and local authorities from Europe, North America and Japan discussed how to avoid illegally and unsustainably sourced wood and paper products in national […]

At the annual policy forum of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), held on 5 October 2006, in Geneva, Switzerland, several governments and local authorities from Europe, North America and Japan discussed how to avoid illegally and unsustainably sourced wood and paper products in national purchasing.

Several countries, along with exporters, traders, industry and NGOs, shared their experiences of adopting or developing public procurement policies ensuring that forest products they buy come from legal and sustainably managed sources. Among the forum’s conclusions were that: only a few countries are applying public procurement policies in practice; market players expressed strong concerns about the diversity of approaches between countries and the risk of creating unnecessary trade barriers; and procurement policies should consider addressing value added products that have originated from illegally or unsustainably produced wood.
Links to further information
FAO news release, 5 October 2006
Chatham House news release, 10 October 2006


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