New ITTO Action Plan 2008-2011

The SECO participated by the intermediary of Jürgen Blaser to the elaboration of the new ITTO Action Plan 2008-2011. This provides guidance on the overall direction of the Organization, in terms of both policy initiatives and project activities.
Full Text

In the 44th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) held in Yokohama on 3-7 November 2008, a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Council for the year 2009 were elected. In accordance with the normal procedure, the Spokesperson of the Producer Member Countries, Professor Nii Ashie Kotie (Ghana), on behalf of the Producer Group informed the Council that he had received the nomination M. Daniel Birchmeier (Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO) from the Consumer Group for the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Council for the year 2009 (45TH ITTC Session).

Presenting M. Birchmeier to the Council, Professor Kotie mentioned how well known he is in ITTO's context. His first involvement with ITTC was in 2001 in Yokohama as head of the Swiss Delegation to the XXXI ITTC Session. Since then he led the Swiss Delegation in all the ITTC Sessions until the XLII Session in Port Moresby. In particular he was actively involved in the negotiation process that led to the International Tropical Timber Agreement of 2006. He has developed good relations of dialogue with all ITTO stakeholders groups: Producers and Consumers, and Civil Society and Trade Groups. The nomination of M. Birchmeier was well received by the Council which elected him to be its Vice-Chairperson in the year 2009.

Likewise, the Spokesperson of the Consumer Group, Dr. James K. Gasana (Switzerland), on behalf of the Consumer Group, informed the Council that he had received from the Producer Group the nomination of H.E. Mr. Michael Maue, Ambassador of Papua New Guinea in Japan, for the position of Chairperson of the Council in the year 2009. Ambassador Maue who was Vice-Chairperson of the ITTC in the year 2008 was elected to be its Chairperson for the year 2009.

Atelier International sur les Innovations dans l'Industrie des forêts tropicales et des produits (AIFORT2008)
Du 22 au 25 septembre, la Suisse a participé à cet atelier qui était organisé par l'Etat de Côte d'Ivoire en collaboration avec l'Organisation Internationale des Bois Tropicaux (OIBT).

Il constituait une opportunité de s'interroger sur l'efficacité des actions menées et de prospecter de nouvelles voies pour conduire le développement de la filière forêt-bois en zones tropicales, en général et en Afrique, en particulier, face à la dégradation continue des forêts tropicales dans le monde en dépit des nombreuses stratégies mises en œuvre pour en assurer une gestion durable.
More information

The discussion group get onto the following topics: how to differentiate between logs coming from sustainably versus poorly managed forests; managing human-wildlife conflicts; underlying social justice issues; the need for free and informed consent; trends in donor funding; and the feasibility of the landscape approach.

Several participants suggested strategies to achieve local support for a long-term landscape approach to management.
More information

Die Schweiz beteiligt sich mit gut acht Millionen Franken an neuem Klimafonds zur Erhaltung des Tropenwaldes
Das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) beabsichtigt, einen innovativen Klimafonds der Weltbank mit 8,75 Mio. Franken zu unterstützen. Mit diesem Fonds werden Massnahmen zur Erhaltung des Tropenwaldes finanziert. Die heute in Bali, Indonesien, lancierte Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) der Weltbank will die Bereiche Klima und Tropenwald verbinden, indem der Schutz von Tropenwald und die damit verbundene Vermeidung zusätzlichen CO2-Ausstosses finanziell abgegolten wird. Die Schweiz engagiert sich im Rahmen der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit des SECO seit mehreren Jahren in diesem Bereich.
More information

The outcomes from the Accra event have been transformed into a workprogram for the “Alternate Tenure and Enterprise Models” (ATEMs) in Africa. A revised enterprise cases protocol has been designed, a Central and West Africa work plan for now to mid-2008 has been established and a revised global concept note for the RRI work on Alternate Tenure and Enterprise (including Business) Models--acronym of ATEMs has been prepared.

Selection of the new Executive Director of the ITTO at the forty-second session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-42)
The International Tropical Timber Council appointed the third Executive Director of ITTO, Mr Emmanuel Ze Meka, during the recently completed 42nd Council Session in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Mr Ze Meka follows Dr Manoel Sobral Filho, ITTO's incumbent Executive Director.
More information

– RNE: Sector Policy dialogue
– AFD: link with MDBS
– DFID/EU: Global initiatives and funding
– World Bank: Overall coordination/ financing mechanisms
– Swiss: Institutional reforms

SECO has discussed his interested in participating in the NREG-SP, particularly in the forestry component. The FC has contacted SECO to be involved in the Validation of Legal Timber Programme (VLTP; satellite monitoring of off-service trees in the forest area). This could alsobe integrated in the Swiss support to the NREG-SP.

Timber and timber products: EU Market Survey 2005/2006
This survey not only provides statistical market information to potential exporting countries about EU timber product consumption, it also focuses on certified timber products and covers the requirements of the EU market in terms of quality, packing and ecolabelling (including social and environmental issues) as well as trade attitudes and legislation within Switzerland and the EU. This survey is a unique source of information both for potential exporters to Europe and for the Swiss and EU wood industry. The information provided is aimed at assisting the SIPPO target group on one hand (i.e. exporters and business support organisations in emerging markets and markets in transition) and on the other, the Swiss and EU wood industry.
Full Text

Besuchen Sie uns an der Swissbau 2007 auf der Messe Basel (23. bis 27. Januar 2007, Halle 1.1, Stand D48) und lassen Sie sich über das gemeinsame Engagement der Türenindustrie und der Umweltverbände zur Förderung der nachhaltigen Waldbewirtschaftung informieren.

Information über den Tür zur Nachhaltigkeit
Pressespiegel

Beitritt der Schweiz zum Internationalen Tropenholz-Übereinkommen von 2006
Der Bundesrat hat am 22. November 2006 beschlossen, das Internationale Tropenholz-Übereinkommen von 2006 zu unterzeichnen. Dieses Übereinkommen ersetzt dasjenige von 1994 und muss vom Parlament noch genehmigt werden.
Medienmitteilung

Adhésion de la Suisse à l'Accord international de 2006 sur les bois tropicaux
Le Conseil fédéral a décidé, le 22 novembre 2006, de signer l'Accord international de 2006 sur les bois tropicaux. Ce dernier, qui remplace l'Accord de 1994, doit encore être avalisé par le Parlement.
Communiqué de presse

Erstmals in der Schweiz: Urwaldfreundliches Tropenholz aus Afrika
Heute trifft die allererste Lieferung von FSC-zertifiziertem Tropenholz aus Afrika in der Schweiz ein. Dieses Holz stammt aus einer Konzession der Firma Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) in der Republik Kongo, die im Mai 2006 FSC-zertifiziert wurde. Das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) unterstützt im Rahmen der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklungszusammenarbeit ein Projekt zur Stärkung der Nachhaltigkeit der auf Exporte ausgerichteten CIB-Konzession. Das Gütesiegel FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) garantiert eine sozial- und umweltverträgliche Waldbewirtschaftung.
Medienmitteilung

Réunion des comités directeurs de projets financés par le SECO dans le Bassin du Congo
Durant la première semaine du mois d’octobre 2 réunions importantes se sont tenues à Brazzaville. Il s’agit d’une part de la 5ème réunion du Comité Directeur du Projet PD 176/02 Rev. 1 (F) sur l’applications des techniques de télédétection et des systèmes d’information géographique pour appuyer le contrôle de la législation forestière en République du Congo et d’autre part de la réunion de lancement du Projet PD 310/04 Rev. 2 (F) de la 2ème Phase du Projet de gestion des écosystèmes périphériques au Parc National de Nouabalé-Ndoki (PROGEPP). Ces 2 projets sont financés par le SECO au travers de l’OIBT et par d’autres bailleurs de fonds. La réunion du Projet PD 176/02 Rev. 1 (F) était la dernière avant la clôture définitive du projet prévue en janvier 2007. Pour le Projet PD 310/04 Rev. 2 (F), la réunion a permis d’aplanir un certain nombre de difficultés et de relancer le partenariat entre le gouvernement du Congo, la CIB et WCS.
Presentation du projet
Rapport de mission

Workshop on Forest Governance and Decentralization
The workshop organised under the umbrella of the Asia Forest Partnership, together with the Indonesian and Philippines governments, CIFOR, RECOFTC, FAO, Intercooperation and various donors (Bafu CH, SDC, GTZ, ITTO) took placed in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta
Report to AFP 6 on Decentralization
Workshop on decentralisation

Treffen mit Heiko Liedeker, Direktor FSC International, in Basel
Am 1. September 2006 trafen sich, auf Initiative von Intercooperation, Vertreter des schweizerischen Holzhandels, der Industrie und der Umweltverbände zu einem Gedankenaustausch mit Heiko Liedeker, Direktor FSC International. Herr Liedeker informierte über die jüngsten Entwicklungen beim FSC (u.a. in Afrika und China, Überarbeitung des „controlled wood standard“) und geplante Neuerungen (z. Bsp. Datenbank zur Rückverfolgung von Holzlieferungen). Die anschliessende Diskussion kreiste um die Schwierigkeiten der Harmonisierung verschiedener Zertifizierungssysteme und um Fragen der Versorgung des Schweizer Marktes mit FSC-zertifiziertem Tropenholz.

Addressing climate change in developing countries from a local perspective
Forum Day Intercooperation 2006:
Hans-Peter Egler gave a presentation about SECO's policies on climate change.

Der Pulong Tau - Nationalpark wird stark mit der Schweiz identifiziert
Interview mit dem Forstexperten Jürgen Blaser (Intercooperation) über den neuen Pulong Tau - Nationalpark und die Waldwirtschaft in Sarawak.
Interview
Kurz Information
More information about the project

SECO gets involved in the promotion of sustainably produced tropical timber
The goal of SECO’s involvement is the promotion of framework conditions for the trade of sustainably produced timber and other forest products, as well as ecosystem services of forests, for the purpose of poverty reduction and conservation of tropical forests. Some examples of its project activities: support of the certification in Indonesia, Wood processing in Ghana, Valuation of forest in Colombia and Transboundary forestry activities in Borneo.
more about SECO's involvement

Meeting of a Penan delegation with Ambassador Oscar Knapp (SECO)
During their visit to Switzerland in May, the Penan delegates Mutang Urud and Balang Nalang met with Ambassador Oscar Knapp at a reception in Bern. Ambassador Knapp confirmed the support of Switzerland for the implementation and eventual extension of the Pulong-Tau National Park in Sarawak. At the same time, he emphasised the complexity of these endevours and of the issues involved.

Vortrag Dr. Jürgen Blaser an der VST-Generalversammlung in Solothurn.
- Abkommen Verband Schweizerische Türenbranche (VST), Greenpeace Schweiz und WWF Schweiz
In diesem Vortrag wird der Hintergrund des Abkommens zwischen dem VST und den Umweltverbänden beleuchtet und es wird aufgezeigt, weshalb das Abkommen als Erfolg bewertet werden kann. Der Vortrag informiert über die Fortschritte in der Umsetzung des Abkommens und zeigt den weiteren Handlungsbedarf auf.
Vortrag von Jürgen Blaser
Artikel über die VST-Generalversammlung

Réunion avec le Ministre de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement de la Rep. du Congo
Discussion entre le SECO et Henri Djombo, Ministre de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement de la République du Congo au sujet des aspects de la coopération entre le Congo et les bailleurs de fonds dans le cadre du projet OIBT “Gestion de la biodiversité et conservation dans les concessions forestières adjacentes à l’Aire Totalement Protégée (Parc National Nouabale-Ndoki), Nord Congo».

New publication: Non-Timber Forest Products between poverty alleviation and market forces
This publication documents a workshop held in Berne in January 2005 about the role of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in poverty alleviation. Case studies underline the importance of understanding local contexts as a precondition for effective development interventions. Such an understanding enables those involved to know when and under what conditions the most disadvantaged groups in a society can benefit tangibly from the use of NTFPs, as it is not automatically that the use of NTFPs contributes to poverty alleviation.
Full Text

Libreville Meeting Proceedings Now Available
At the initiative of the World Bank a workshop was held on July 13-14th, 2005 in Libreville (Gabon) on the follow-up of the Africa forest law enforcement and governance process (AFLEG). The meeting gave the opportunity to review the perception and the follow-up of the AFLEG process by the different actors within the six countries participating in the workshop (Gabon, Cameroon, DRC, Republic of Congo, Burundi and Central African Republic).

The meeting highlighted the reality of the situation in terms of law enforcement and governance and gave a good basis to continue the actions already initiated in relation with AFLEG and FLEGT processes in a better-structured and organised way.

As the SECO actively supports the FLEG process in general, it participated in this event by sending an international expert for facilitating the workshop.
AFLEG Report on the meeting

The Member States agreed on four global objectives on forests, highlighting the urgent priorities for the implementation of sustainable forest management, including protection, restoration and reforestation and curbing forest degradation.

The Member States also agreed to consider and adopt a new global instrument on forest policy as a concrete and practical policy framework to that end.
Summary of the 6th session

New forest treaty agreed

Negotiators in Geneva have agreed on a new agreement that will reinforce work to bring tropical forests under sustainable management and increase the role of the tropical timber trade in sustainable development.
Views of Daniel Birchmeier (SECO) on the new agreement
Press release
International Tropical timber Agreement

St. Petersburg Ministerial Conference and Declaration
This conference led to the St Petersburg Declaration, which expresses a commitment made by 44 governments from the ENA region and other participating countries to take action to address illegal logging and associated forest crimes. SECO represented the Swiss Government in these negociations. Under its mandate, Intercooperation co-presided the conference and prepared a technical document with the support of external consultants.
Press release

Adopted Resolutions and Recommendations of the 3rd World Conservation Congress online
The results of the Member’s Business Assembly of the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, where IUCN Members debated and voted on 131 proposed Resolutions and Recommendations, are now available with the minutes of the sometimes heated discussions as well as the final text of the 118 Resolutions and Recommendations that were adopted. These guide the Union’s global programme of work on conservation and sustainable development, and voice the Union’s opinion on major conservation issues in all parts of the world.
Proceeding WCC

Cutting down on illegal logging: conservation platform on illegal logging at 3rd IUCN World Congress
ITTO sponsored a three-hour panel discussion during the recent IUCN World Conservation Congress on ways to combat illegal logging.
Law enforcement in conservation reserves: presentation of J K Gasana

New publication:
Sustainable trade of tropical timber:
Poverty reduction and conservation of tropical forests: Why and how seco intervenes?
Full Text

Agreement between VST and Greenpeace Switzerland / WWF Switzerland
Under the auspices of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), an agreement has been signed in Bern on 19 July between the Swiss Door Manufacturers Association and the environmental associations Greenpeace, Switzerland and the WWF, Switzerland, concerning the supply of wood and wood products.
Agreement

Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the ITTA
Highlights and Summary of the Preparatory Committee for the Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), 1994 (PREPCOM1) met from 20 - 21 May 2003 in Panama City, Panama and reported in the "Earth Negotiations Bulletin" published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

Thirty-third session of the international tropical timber council
Summary of the session met from 4-9 November 2002 in Yokohama, Japan and reported in the "Earth Negotiations Bulletin" published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
Full Text

Tropenholznutzung: ein Beitrag zur Tropenwaldzerstörung?
Ein Artikel von Jürgen Blaser, Präsident des ITTO-Rates, über die internationale Tropenholzorganisation (ITTO), in der Neue Zürcher Zeitung erschienen.
NZZ Article

Thirty-second session of the international tropical timber council
Summary of the session met from 13-18 May 2002 in Bali, Indonesia and reported in the "Earth Negotiations Bulletin" published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
Full Text

Forest Law Enforcement Africa
On June 18-20 this year, the Government of the Republic of Congo and the World Bank will be co-hosting the planning meeting for the All-Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Process (AFLEG) in the forest sector. The meeting will take place in Brazzaville. On behalf of SECO, Jürgen Blaser of Intercooperation is entrusted to support the preparation of this conference and facilitate a particular working group on the Congo Basin.

Agreement SECO/Intercooperation
SECO and Intercooperation have signed an agreement for 3 years on the implementation of the tropical forest strategy. This includes also to continue the strong working relationship with the International Tropical Timber Organization.