Workshop Building FLEG partnership 13 July 2010 – Chisinau

EU Forest policies

Forests cover about a third of the European Union land area and roughly 30% of the world's land area. We rely on them for clean air, water, food, medicines and many other raw materials that are vital to our health and quality of life. For the past 20 years the rate of deforestation has increased.

Forests play a vital role in regulating the climate. They store roughly half of the world's terrestrial carbon and when uprooted these forests release large quantities of CO2. It is estimated that deforestation is responsible for some 20% of the world's CO2 emissions, more than the total amount of greenhouse gas emitted by the EU. This makes deforestation a major contributor to climate change.

Deforestation also contributes to poverty. Sixty million people in the world depend directly on forests for their livelihoods and another 1.6 billion are indirectly affected.

Illegal logging is probably one of the most destructive activities contributing to deforestation. It has damaging consequences on biodiversity and on climate change. It is estimated that a significant proportion – or some 20% – of timber imported into the EU comes from illegal sources and costs timber-producing countries about €10 to 15 billion per year in lost revenues. Illegal logging depresses timber prices, strips natural resources and tax revenues, and increases poverty of forest-dependent people.

In the EU, the responsibility for forest policy falls on individual Member States. There is nevertheless a long tradition by the EU of supporting forest-related activities such as sustainable forest management in cooperation with Member States.

In April last year the European Parliament voted to ban trade in illegally logged timber. And in a deal struck on 16 June between the European Parliament, the EU member states and the European Commission after almost a decade of campaigning on the issue by environmentalists, the sale of illegal timber will be banned in the EU from 2012 (euobserver.com,17/06/2010).

EU Forest Action Plan was adopted on 15 June 2006; building on the report on implementation of the EU Forestry Strategy.

The Action Plan focuses on four main objectives:

1. to improve long-term competitiveness 2. to improve and protect the environment 3. to contribute to the quality of life; and 4. to foster coordination and communication. Eighteen key actions are proposed by the

Commission to be implemented jointly with the Member States during the period of five years (2007–2011).

FLEGT

The Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) was adopted in 2003. The Plan focuses on governance reforms and capacity building, to ensure timber exported to the EU comes only from legal sources. It includes ideas for action in areas such as public procurement and the private sector. 

A key element of the Action Plan is a voluntary scheme to ensure that only legally harvested timber is imported into the EU from countries agreeing to take part in this scheme. The Council adopted a Regulation in December 2005, allowing for the control of the entry of timber to the EU from countries entering into bilateral FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) with the EU.  Once agreed, the VPAs will include commitments and action from both parties to halt trade in illegal timber, notably with a license scheme to verify the legality of timber. The agreements will also promote better enforcement of forest law and promote an inclusive approach involving civil society and the private sector.

EU Foreign Policies

From the early 90ies the collaboration between the former Soviet Union countries was done under the TACIS programme.

European Neighbourhood Policy

The EU was joined by 12 new member states in 2004-2007. This resulted in a review of EU's relations with its now closest neighbours. The European Neighbourhood Policy was developed in 2004. The objective was to avoid the emergence of new dividing lines between the enlarged EU and our neighbours and instead strengthening the prosperity, stability and security of all concerned.

The EU offers the closest neighbours a privileged relationship, which builds upon mutual commitment to common values (democracy and human rights, rule of law, good governance, market economy principles and sustainable development). The ENP goes beyond existing relationships and offers a deeper political relationship and economic integration.

The European Neighbourhood Policy applies to the EU's immediate neighbours – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria and Tunisia for the South and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine for the Eastern neighbours. Sixteen countries totally. Seven East + nine South.

Russia is also a neighbour of the EU, but the relations are instead developed through a Strategic Partnership covering four “common spaces” (Economic issues & the environment; Freedom, Security & Justice; External Security; and Research & Education, including cultural aspects). - The Northern Dimension (ND) provides an important framework for cooperation with Russia, and the Four Common Spaces agreed between the EU and Russia.

The central element of the European Neighbourhood Policy is the bilateral ENP Action Plans agreed between the EU and each partner country. For Belarus, Libya or Syria ENP is not yet ‘activated’ since no such Agreements are yet in force.

Eastern Partnership

The Eastern Partnership (EaP), launched in May 2009 (Prague), aims at acceleration of political and economic integration between partner countries and the EU and promotes cooperation, dialogue, and the exchange of best practice and experiences.

In the context of EaP, 4 thematic platforms have been established, among which one on "Economic integration and convergence with EU sectoral policies" (including environment and climate change). A dedicated panel on environment and climate change was set up and met for the first time in March 2010.

Cooperation within the Eastern Partnership will also be stimulated through different flagship initiatives. The flagship initiative on ‘Good Environmental Governance’ aims at improvement of access to reliable data; including improvement of access by stakeholders. In a later phase the initiative will also cover EIA and public participation.

A Civil Society Forum was also established by the Prague Summit. In a joint declaration, Summit "invited the European Commission to develop and propose modalities for the establishment of a Civil Society Forum of the Eastern Partnership". The second Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (CSF) will take place on 18-19 November 2010 in Berlin. The overall aim of the Forum is “to promote contacts among Civil Society Organisations and facilitate their dialogue with public authorities” in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

BLACK SEA SYNERGY

- The Black Sea Synergy (BSS) (on environment, energy, transport, trade, research, social affairs etc) was launched in 2008 (Kiev) to reflect the EU’s growing interest in promoting regional cooperation. Later on the Black Sea Synergy Sector Partnerships have been prepared with the EU Member States of the Region as well as with the partner States.

- The BSS Environment Partnership was officially launched in Brussels in March 2010, with Romania as the lead country. A Joint Statement was adopted (that mentions areas of key importance). The European Commission is currently in the process of consulting partners with a view to define the Partnership’s objectives and modalities.

The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership

The EU has strengthened its relationship with the Central Asian countries since the adoption of “ The EU and Central Asia: Strategy for a New Partnership by the European Council in June 2007 (Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). The strategy strengthens relations in all areas of cooperation, including through the reinforcement of EU-Central Asia political dialogue with regular meetings of EU and Central Asian Foreign Ministers, reinforcement of dialogue on human rights, cooperation in the areas of education, rule of law, energy and transport, environment and water, common

threats and challenges (including border management and combating drug trafficking), and trade and economic relations . . The strategy is supported by a significant increase in EU assistance .The EU and Central Asian countries have since confirmed their commitment to the strategy, and its implementation is well under way. The EU reviewed the state of implementation of the Central Asia Strategy in a Progress Report in June 2010. The Delegations of the European Commission to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are the three official representative offices of the European Commission to these three central Asian states.

Was introduced by the German presidency in 2007. Environment cooperation and dialogue has a prominent place in the implementation of the Strategy, as a "Flagship Initiative". The Platform on enhanced environment cooperation was adopted by the Central Asian countries and the EU in Rome- 5/6 November 2009.

Four priorities:

1. Environmental integration and environmental governance

There is a need to strengthen cooperation between EU and CA in taking steps to putenvironmental integration into practice, including through implementation of all relevant legally binding instruments. In this regard participants welcomed the results of the Conference on Environmental Integration and Sustainable Development, held in Astana in March 2009 upon the initiative of the European Commission.

2. Joining forces to combat climate change and minimise its impact

Central Asia is particularly vulnerable to climate change effects, EU and Central Asia partners will develop long term strategies to prevent and mitigate and adapt to the climate effects on human health and on the environment.

3. Water issues

Water management is a vital environmental challenge for the region. Enhanced collaboration to facilitate the implementation of best practices, the availability of drinking water and sanitation as well as the increase in the efficiency of water usage in energy and agriculture, while safeguarding the ecological balance in the region.

4. Further environmental issues

Other important environmental issues for the region: land degradation, deforestation and sustainable land use, forestry management, safeguarding biodiversity, including support for the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, reducing pollution related to industrial sites and contaminated tailings, monitoring and addressing the risks related to environment and human health.

Finally, environmental awareness should be supported in the region and the civil society involvement should be promoted with regard for existing regional mechanisms, such as the Central Asia Regional Environment Centre (CAREC).

Meetings:

- Working Group meetings "Climate change and environmental governance" and "EUWI EECCA " will be held 26-28 October  2010 in Brussels.

- The “Fourth EU – Central Asia High Level Conference” Bishkek in 2010

- Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” to be held in 2011 in Astana,

- EU CA Ministerial Conference in 2012 - to discuss progress, review cooperation activities, and consider practical steps to strengthen the European Union - Central Asia Platform for environment and water.

FLEG

The FLEG contract was signed with the World Bank in December 2007 where the trust fund was established putting together some 7 million euros. Six millions from the EC and the rest from WB, World Conservation Union (the “IUCN”), the World Wildlife Fund (the “WWF”). Duration: Dec 2007 – 19/12/2010

The overall objective is to contribute to the achievement of legal and sustainable forest management and utilisation practices, a strengthened rule of law and improved livelihoods in the countries.

The Specific objective is to put in place improved forest governance arrangements through the effective implementation of the main priorities set out in the ENA FLEG Ministerial Declaration, with the support of selected pilot activities and with the active involvement of governments, civil society and the private sector.

Activities:1. Activities will be implemented in the following focus areas to:

(a) promote effective national and regional FLEG action processes; (b) increase national ownership and capacity; (c) improve regional and sub-regional collaboration and knowledge sharing; (d) promote effective engagement of key trading partners; (e) strengthen continuation of the formal official ENA FLEG process; (f) foster sustainable forest management practices implemented; and (g) increase awareness and commitment of key stakeholders on FLEG.

Stakeholders:

1. the Project will target three main groups:

(a) Governments, including line department staff, parliamentarians, the judiciary, senior representatives to regional and global forums, key trading partners, and sub-national and local authorities;

(b) Civil society, particularly non-governmental and community-based organizations and forest dependent communities; and

(c) Private sector, particularly companies and industry and trade associations involved in timber production and processing.

FLERMONECA – (Implementation activities will tentatively start in first semester 2011) Component (2) – Forest and biodiversity governance, including environmental

monitoring: FLERMONECA. Supporting the sustainable use and management of natural resources in Central Asia, by tackling issues such as climate change, forest governance (the FLEG process), ecological restoration and environmental data collection, exchange, monitoring and assessment.

Results Component (2) – Forest and biodiversity governance, including environmental monitoring, FLERMONECA

2.1 Subcomponent 2.1 FLEG Central Asia. FLEG process in Kyrgyzstan, initiated by Swiss Aid, completed and FLEG processes in other Central Asian Mountain countries started using the same approach. Active participation of civil society in the FLEG process. Conservation NGOs mobilised by IUCN;

2.2 Subcomponent 2.2 ERCA Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in Central Asia. Dialogue, consultation and governance launched at regional scale for the Central Asian Dry Lands in line with efforts of German Aid and German NGOs regarding ecological restoration there; and for the Central Asian Mountain Biodiversity Hotspot with international NGOs active there and local NGOs and communities;

2.3 Subcomponent 1.3 MONECA Environmental monitoring in Central Asia. Partnership with European Environmental Agency (EEA), EU data centres and institutions in the field of environmental monitoring restored, reporting on deforestation and biodiversity loss scheduled and partnership made sustainable.

Activities Component (2) – Forest and biodiversity governance, including environmental monitoring, FLERMONECA

Subcomponent 2.1 FLEG Central AsiaActivity 2.1.1 Establishing the partnership with European partners already active in the field and

Central Asian institutions, NGOs and local community representatives. Define detailed work plan using the experience gained in previous similar process (Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro);

Activity 2.1.2 Complete FLEG process in Kyrgyzstan, initiated by Swiss Aid: implementation and fund raising for it (Kyoto, etc.). Launch FLEG processes in other Central Asian Mountain countries started using the same approach. Ad-hoc legal and policy advise;

Activity 2.1.3 Assessment of level of FLEG awareness, existing efforts, key actors, illegal logging, forest crime, potential of provision of affordable energy sources, etc. Identification of governance constraints, development and testing of responses;

Activity 2.1.4 Consultative national action planning: Stakeholders mobilisation and involvement on national, regional and local level. Development of National Action Plans with stakeholder involvement. Tripartite dialogue in support of national and/or sub-regional identification of FLEG priority actions;

Activity 2.1.5 Increase national and local ownership and capacity: Enhance involvement of governmental staff at forest management unit level on identified priority actions. Targeted training of stakeholders on identified priority actions. Support national and regional civil society networks and enhancing of initiatives in support of sustainable livelihoods as alternatives to illegal activities (Pilot projects);

Activity 2.1.6 Improve regional and sub-regional collaboration and knowledge sharing: organising specific events and elaborating mechanisms to share lessons learned, find solutions to trans-boundary issues and link with FLEG processes in other regions. Integration of FLEG activities into the ISDC activities and relevant work programmes;

Activity 2.1.7. Continuation of the formal official ENA FLEG process: Organisation of specific regional FLEG events defined in the Ministerial Declaration (follow up of ENA-FLEG, St. Petersburg Declaration, 2005). Facilitation of participation of regional and local authorities in ENA FLEG process.

STAKEHOLDERSComponent (2) – FLERMONECA will target three main stakeholder groups: (1) Inter-state regional structures, including IFAS and ICSD; (2) Governments, including line department staff, parliamentarians, the judiciary, senior representatives to regional and global forums, and sub-national and local authorities; and (3) Civil society, particularly non-governmental, community-based organisations and forest dependent local communities. A distinction should be made between pastoralists and other land users.

IMPLEMENTATIONThe FLERMONECA component will be implemented through indirect centralised management with GTZ as a delegatee body. GTZ has a long-standing experience in the Central Asian region, is running an important programme on transboundary water and has good working relations with Swiss Aid for the Central Asian Mountain FLEG. Germany is the most important donor in the region and, therefore through delegated cooperation, donor coordination is optimised. (See Annex 6: GTZ as delegatee body to implement the FLERMONECA component).

OTHER Projects

ON-GOINGENPI East (2008 + 2009).

2008 - Waste Governance is on-going, budget 5,8 meuro, main activities:- assistance to drafting of policy papers and framework legislation as well as laws and regulations for implementation and enforcement- strengthening administrative capacities (procedures) and institution building (organisation)- awareness raising addressing the importers, producers, distributors, retail sector, municipalities, general public, NGOs etc.The project is planned to start in December 2009.

2008 - Enhancement of Shared Environmental Information System- SEIS (2,5 meuro) – implemented by the European Environment Agency - to improved quality, timeliness and availability of environmental information in the ENP East Partner Countries in order to support: policy development implementation, proper allocation of financial resources,

- to introduce a shared environmental information system (SEIS) which will facilitate the establishment of relevant data flows and the production and maintenance of a core set of environmental indicators.

PLANNED

2009 - Air Quality Governance – 7 meuro - (pollution from industry and transport) – Main objectives:- To improve the convergence to European legislation and regulations contributing to the improved air quality and strengthen implementation and compliance.

- To improve the implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements

- To raise environmental awareness through cooperation at regional and sub-regional levels among decision makers, industry and civil-society.

2009 - A Program for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters (6 meuro) ( PPRD ) is being tendered. The purpose is to develop and reinforce the capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response in the Eastern ENPI region by strengthening capacities at local, national and regional level, and developing an effective cooperation in this field between the EU and the Partner Countries and among the Partner Countries themselves, as an instrument of political and social stability.

Kura river basin project (TACIS 2006)The project has the focus on the preparation of a GIS database for information management of transboundary pilot river basins as well as the creation of a water cadastre for the three participating countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia).

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been translated into three local languages (ARM, AZ, GEO) and training is ongoing.

Guidelines on good laboratory practice, and for decision-makers on monitoring and public participation in the IWRM. The guidelines should be finalised by the end of 2010 and will be available for the region by 2011.

Social and economic benefits of alignment of legislation with the EU (Jan 2010 – June 2011)

A study on the social and economical benefits of alignment to EU legislation (18 months). The results of the study will focus on the benefits of a healthy environment. This study will show how clean water, a waste management system in place etc. benefit the country socially and economically. The overall objective of the study is to improve awareness of environmental improvement; and therewith place improvement of the environment on the agenda. The study will aim to:

Increase awareness on social and economical benefits of a clean environment

Increase capacity to assess benefits

Support including environmental concerns in other policy areas such as e.g. energy, transport and health.

Improve the ability to mobilise necessary financial resources and investments.

The study shall be finished by June 2011.

More info at http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/index_en.htm

THANK YOU for your attention!