Hanoi, on the morning of May 21, 2021, the kick-off workshop “study on the demand for plantation timber for export processing to meet the requirements of the EVFTA and the demonstration of VPA commitments in Vietnam" was held hosted by Vietnam Forest Owners Association (VIFORA) together with the Center for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) co-chaired the organization. Participants included representatives from the General Department of Forestry, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Vietnam Forestry Science and Technology Association, members of the SRD Management Board, leaders and research members of the Vietnam Forest Owners Association and members of the VNGO-EVFTA network.

The objectives of this workshop include:

- Assess the current status of timber plantation for export processing and make estimates for the period 2025 – 2030

- Analyze the demand for plantation timber to ensure the requirements for timber for export in 2025 - 2030

- Analyze the problems and gaps for plantation timber for export processing

- Lastly, propose and recommend policy solutions

The research is planned to be conducted from May 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021, focusing on "planted forest". The panelists and participants actively presented, shared and discussed the implementation plan of activities and contents, focusing on indicators to measure and forecast future demand as well as the referral data sources. The workshop took place in an active, constructive and highly unified atmosphere.

--------------------------------------------------------

This kick-off workshop is under the framework of the project "Promote forest governance and legal timber trade through the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement" funded by the EU and implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in Vietnam from September 2020 to August 2024 with 3 basic target results:

1. The network "Strengthening forestry law enforcement, forest governance and timber trade" VNGO-FLEGT proactively participates in monitoring process/mechanisms in EVFTA with the participation of CSOs.

2. The Trade Committee and the Trade & Sustainable Development Committee of the EVFTA commit to protecting forests and respecting people's rights related to forests during the EVFTA implementation.

3. Members of the Domestic Advisory Group (DAGs) and especially the local timber industry promote governance and measures against illegal timber trade.