Monrovia– The Government of Liberia and the European Union (EU) are set to convene the 11th session of the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) meeting in Monrovia from June 17 to 18 and on June 24, 2024, a press release says.
This critical meeting will focus on assessing the progress of the Liberia-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with an aim to bolster forest governance in Liberia.
As the highest decision-making body within the VPA framework, the JIC plays a crucial role in the strategic implementation and oversight of the agreement, which was signed between Liberia and the EU in 2012 and ratified by the National Legislature in 2013. The VPA represents a major milestone in combating illegal logging, enhancing law enforcement, and ensuring the trade of legally verified timber products. The agreement takes a holistic approach, addressing the interests of all stakeholders, including the Liberian government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and local communities.
Under the VPA, Liberia has pledged to ensure that all timber exports are legally verified prior to shipment to the EU and other global markets, thereby promoting sustainable and legal timber trade practices.
The 11th JIC meeting will serve as a collaborative forum, drawing together participants from various sectors, including civil society organizations, private industry, and community representatives. This three-day event will facilitate comprehensive discussions on the state of forest governance in Liberia, emphasizing the collective responsibility and concerted efforts required to achieve sustainable forestry management.
This year, the European Union will host the JIC meeting, which will feature the participation of senior government officials from relevant Liberian ministries and agencies, alongside delegates from the European Commission. Key partners and stakeholders involved in forest-related projects have also been invited to observe the proceedings.
Her Excellency Nona Deprez, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, and Hon. Philip C. Parker IV, Chairman of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Board and head of the Liberia Implementation Committee, will co-chair the opening and closing sessions of the meeting.
The meeting is expected to culminate in the signing of an Aid Memoire, reaffirming the mutual commitment of Liberia and the EU to advancing forest governance and continuing the successful implementation of the VPA processes.