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Adam Matthews +447958671510 matthewsa@parliament.uk Kristyn Schrader +65 81241033
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WORLD BANK/IMF ANNUAL MEETINGS - SINGAPORE
Major Forest Governance Initiative launched
Unique alliance of legislators, business leaders, international organizations and civil society Singapore, September 16th, 2006 – Ministers and senior parliamentarians from the UK, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon along with business and civil society organisations today came together to form an innovative new international initiative on forest governance – The G8 Illegal Logging Dialogue. The Dialogue will be facilitated by GLOBE (Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment – www.globeinternational.org) and Com+, Alliance of Communicators for Sustainable Development (www.complusalliance.org) with the support of the World Bank, the UK Department for International Development and a number of socially responsible companies. The Dialogue launched at the World Bank Annual Meetings in Singapore will draw together legislators from the G8, China, India and other key timber producing countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil , Peru with senior timber industry representatives, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and opinion leaders to agree on a practical plan of action to address illegal logging - focussing on the introduction of financial transparency, support for progressive companies committed to sustainable production and the development of a discerning market for legal and sustainable timber in the EU & G8 markets. Co-Chairs of the Dialogue, Barry Gardiner MP, UK Minister for Biodiversity and Hon Egbe Achuo Hillman, Cameroon Minister for Forests and Wildlife said in a joint statement “The Dialogue will present a set of recommendations to the G8 by the time of the Japanese G8 Presidency in 2008. These recommendations will be developed outside of formal international discussions and with the support of progressive industry and NGOs. Illegal logging can not be tackled unilaterally and that is why it is so important to address this problem from both ends of the supply chain - from timber producing countries to timber consuming countries. Together we can build agreement and make a real difference.” The new initiative was announced following the publication of the latest World Bank report on forest sector governance – which reaffirmed the extent of lost revenue - $15 billion dollars annually –in developing countries as a result of illegal logging, Katherine Sierra, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development said “Through improved governance and sustainable management, forests can become better sources of revenue for developing countries, spreading the benefits to the millions of people who depend on them for some portion of their livelihoods. Through an inclusive, open and honest debate the G8 Illegal Logging Dialogue will make a significant contribution”
According to the Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP, President of GLOBE International and organiser of the G8 Illegal Logging Dialogue “the time has come to move from statements to action in a practical way, delivering an ambitious plan to finally address this problem from both ends of the supply chain – from timber producing countries to timber consuming countries.” Representative Toshikatsu Matsuoka – Member of the Japanese Diet (parliament) emphasised that he strongly hopes “ that this process of Parliamentarians of the G8 will accelerate implementation of the Gleneagles Agreement, and bring about a breakthrough for possible further cooperation in some of the difficult issues such as forest governance, which has been actively promoted by the World Bank. Japan will spare no efforts in working together with other stakeholders for that purpose.” Dr Fred Stoll , Program Manager at the World Resources Institute welcomed the new initiative and underlined that transparency is key to a sustainable solution “We believe that greater transparency will help drive more environmentally sound and socially equitable forest management decisions. The "GLOBE G8 Illegal logging dialogue" provides an important opportunity to bring key stakeholders together for an open, focused and informed dialogue on solutions on how to reduce illegal and unsustainable practices. When supported with accurate and timely information, such dialogues in cooperation with other initiatives can play a constructive role in developing informed solutions that enjoy the broad commitment of multiple stakeholders.” Representing the responsible private sector, Mr Robert Hunink, Executive Vice President of the DLH-tt Group - the world’s largest hardwoods producer said “Responsible timber operators are very much aware of the role they have to play in poverty alleviation, social development, creating employment, transfer of technology and sustainable forest management. All this is only possible, however, if companies are also economically sustainable, which absolutely requires a level playing field of legal and well managed forestry. In the meantime responsible operators struggle to remain competitive and it is but a matter of time before shareholders have to consider whether or not to cease operations. That is why this Dialogue is so important and I challenge it to focus urgently on these issues - otherwise it may be too late for many companies.” Mr Simon Fineman, Chief Executive Officer of Timbmet – the UK’s largest Hardwoods Importer said “Importers are the curial link between timber producers and consumers. We are intimately aware of the challenges to responsible timber supply within the market. It is essential that the market in consuming countries of the G8 and Europe only purchase legal and sustainable timber and make life uncomfortable for the rogue operators that freely trade timber product from illegal logs, as is still the case in parts of the UK market. This Dialogue has the potential to draw together the whole supply chain make a significant contribution once and for all to address illegal logging.”
######################## Dialogue Objectives:
1. To provide a forum outside formal international negotiating structures for legislators, senior business leaders and other key decision makers to agree and implement specific and practical measures – importantly allowing participants to contribute in confidence and thus address particular areas of contention without the restraint of a formal government negotiating position. To utilise the unique position of legislators to push the boundaries of what is politically possible internationally and to build a constituency amongst legislators and other key stakeholders for action by the G8 and producer countries. To become a catalyst for international and domestic action. To provide a forum for ideas and proposals to be floated in confidence however, combining with open session with media access.
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What is GLOBE? GLOBE (Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment) is a network of individual legislators around the world that seeks to educate parliamentarians on environmental issues and promote policies supporting sustainable development. What is COM+? The COM+ Alliance (www.complusalliance.org) is a partnership of international organizations and communications professionals from diverse sectors committed to using communications to advance a vision of sustainable development that integrates its three pillars: economic, social, and environmental. By offering a platform to share expertise, develop best practice, and create synergies, COM+ hopes to actively support creative and inspiring communications across the world to bring sustainable development closer to the public.