Side Event of the World Forestry Congress: Strengthen the ability of smallholders in the Mekong region forest sector to operate legally and sustainably

The XV World Forestry Congress are hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea from 2 to 6 May 2022. The World Forestry Congress is a forum for the exchange of views and experiences on all aspects of forests and forestry, which may lead to the formulation of broad recommendations applicable at national, regional and global levels. The Congress also provides a periodical opportunity to produce an overview of the sector, in order to discern trends, adapt policies, create awareness in decision-makers, and influence public opinion. Given a high number of participants, it is a valuable forum for strengthening the role of forests in general as well as in the context of critical environmental, economic and social issues and taking into account the developments in the global sustainable development agenda. 

The XV World Forestry Congress provides a unique opportunity for the global forestry community to consider the state and future of world forestry, particularly in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Congress will focus on defining the role of forests in the global developmental agenda and other major agreements, and identify key measures that must be put in place as the forest sector adjusts to the new reality and aims to help ‘build back better’.

The side event of Strengthening the ability of smallholders in the Mekong region forest sector to operate legally and sustainably was held in the context of the XV World Forestry Congress on May 3, 2022 witnessed the participation of Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop – Executive Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development (SRD) as a panelist. This side event would provide speakers opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen the technical and operational skills of small tree growers and timber processors, and how to create and enabling environment for them to contribute to forest governance, rural livelihoods and gender equality.

Mrs. Vu Thi Bich Hop with the presentation of VNGO-FLEGT Network in VPA implementation Pro Small Forest Growers: Opportunity and Recommendations also pointed out the work of SRD and VNGO-FLEGT Network in VPA implementation, including:

(i)            Past studies (2012 – 2020): VPA and Livelihood Impact Assessment; Readiness of households and timber processing villages for VPA; REDD+ and VPA Linkages; “NDC Vietnam: Improve the forest governance for successful forest restoration”; “Challenges and opportunity for CSOs and Women engagement in VPA/FLEGT implementation”;

(ii)          Ongoing studies: Gender and small forest holders for VPA M&E; Ethnic minority and timber supply chain for VPA M&E;

(iii)         Survey in 4 provinces and manual for CSOs to assess the impact of VPA/FLEGT on forest dependent households in planting, harvesting, transporting and processing forest timber;

(iv)         Updates on Forest Governance;

(v)          Research on land rights and mechanisms for benefit sharing in the VPA/FLEGT and REDD+ context;

(vi)         Development of pilot set of indicators to assess the impact of VPA/FLEGT on timber SMEs.

Additionally, recommendations were also provided to address these challenges, such as:

(i)            The role of CSOs must be included in VNTLAS;

(ii)          Independent monitoring and auditing by CSOs must be defined in the M&E VPA Framework;

(iii)         Access to GOV funding for CSOs to engage in VPA implementation;

(iv)         GOV should improve and enforce mechanisms to support forest and forest land conflict resolution, and set up implementation process to engage CSOs in VPA M&E

(v)          GOV and CSOs shall provide capacity building for households and communities to assist them in complying with VPA regulations, and strengthen community consultation on forest management, protection and development. 

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