Illegal logging in many regions of the world causes social conflict and violence while costing governments billions of dollars in lost tax revenue and harming forest ecosystem health. A significant amount of this illegally cut wood enters global trade, depressing the prices of wood products and presenting unfair competition to those companies that respect the law. In a series of dialogues in 2005, TFD brought together business leaders, environmental and social NGOs, industry associations, forest owners, retailers, researchers, and intergovernmental organizations to share experiences and promote commitment to reducing illegal logging.

Dialogues

Building Partnerships to Reduce Forest Conflict in Asia

1-2 December 2005 - Washington, DC, USA

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The Forests Dialogue (TFD), and ARD, Inc. convened international leaders from government, the private sector, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to explore the nature and impacts of forest conflict in Asia and to discuss what actions the represented sectors can take, individually and collectively, to address this serious problem through their ongoing work or future initiatives. The related social, economic, and environmental impacts of illegal logging were also discussed. The participants’ experience in illegal logging provided a strong foundation for the development of actions to reduce forest conflict in Asia.

Meeting materials available.

ENA FLEG Ministerial Conference

22-25 November 2005 - St. Petersburg, Russia

The Forests Dialogue facilitated the multi-stakeholder process that paralleled the Ministerial negotiations during the ENA FLEG Ministerial Conference from November 22-25, 2005. TFD assisted the multi-stakeholder process by encouraging the prioritization of joint recommendations and streamlining input from the group for consideration by country delegates as they developed the Declaration.

Meeting materials available.

TFD’s ENA FLEG Joint Civil Society and Forest Industry Preparatory Event

November 2-3, 2005 - St. Petersburg, Russia

The Forests Dialogue convened an ENA FLEG preparatory event in St. Petersburg from November 2-3, 2005. Representatives from civil society and the private sector, worked together to prioritize eight recommendations for consideration during the November 22-25, 2005 Ministerial Conference. These recommendations are articulated in the Co-Chairs' Summary document.

Meeting materials available.

Dialogue on Illegal Logging

7-10 March 2005 - Hong Kong, P.R. China

Illegal logging causes social conflict and violence, while costing governments billion of dollars in tax revenue and harming forest ecosystem health. The Forests Dialogue (TFD) hosted its first international dialogue on illegal logging in Hong Kong, from March 7-10, 2005. The dialogue accomplished three objectives: raise awareness amongst business leaders of the problems posed by illegal logging, identify solutions and agree on how participants can work together for widespread adoption of these resolutions.

Meeting materials available.