This report aims to initiate the process of supporting timber-exporting African countries in combating illegal timber harvesting and trade. It focuses, in particular, on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) national strategies and the implementation of European Union Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreements (EU-FLEGT VPAs). The report is largely based on a desk review of the global forestry practices and the technical and institutional aspects of VPA ratification, as well as current constraints to ratification. Three African countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and Liberia) were specifically studied in field research. Indonesia, possibly the most advanced country in VPA implementation worldwide, was also studied.
