Yaounde (Cameroon), 2011 – 12 January 2011 – Workshop for the Launching of FAO Support Project to COMIFAC in the framework of ACP-FLEGT programme. Chaired by M. Raymond MBITIKON, COMIFAC Executive Secretary, this meeting was attended by about fifteen representatives of COMIFAC technical and financial partners. In his opening address, Mr Raymond MBITIKON recalled the dual objective of the workshop which is to share with attending stakeholders, on the objectives and the outcome of the project and to gather information concerning their expectations and concerns in order to improve on the implementation of the project. (Picture on the left: Participants at the launching workshop by COMIFAC ES). Following this opening ceremony, participants and the project were presented: “Development of Harmonized Tools for the Follow-up of Timber in Transit (Congo, Cameroon, and CAR). Mr Martin TADOUM, COMIFAC Deputy Executive Secretary strongly pointed out in this presentation the crucial point of the project which is: “Tracing and Following APV Timber Flows in Transit through Territories other than their Source Countries” He highlighted the objectives followed by the project and also in conclusion, announced the next steps of the project, namely (1) To institute a permanent work group concerning problems relating to timber flows circulating in Central Africa in the APV framework (2) To announce the harmonization of traceability systems in AVP signing countries in Central Africa through the development of multiform links required in order to guarantee smooth circulation of timber in Central Africa.  

The meeting continued with a question and answer session on the project, moderated by Mr Tadoum. At the end of these discussions, participants formally recommended what follows: (1) To implement the project as quickly as possible considering the different pace of development of AVP signatory states involved in the project: Cameroon, Congo, CAR. (2) The project coordination should, for harmonization purposes, federate all governance and APV-related initiatives in close collaboration with CBFP facilitation also concerned by the consistency of partners’ initiatives. (3) To make an appraisal for harmonization and coordination needs of initiatives relating to governance and ACP/FLEGT/EU programme. (4) To turn the work group instituted in the framework of the project into a platform of consultation, exchange and stakeholders arbitration in countries involved in the FLEGT process. (5) To deeply involve economic operators in the project implementation. (6) To search, in collaboration with EU ACP/FLEGT programme and other partners, additional resources in order to consolidate and enlarge this project to make it, through its coordination and the work group, a key regulatory element at AVP process sub-regional level. (7) To include Gabon and DRC whose timber is partially conveyed in transit and exported through Douala in the framework of AVP. ((Picture on the right – Participants at the workshop - @ COMIFAC ES).

To learn more, please download:

Final Workshop Report  

Project Presentation: Development of Harmonised Tools for the Follow-up of Timber in Transit (Congo, Cameroon and CAR) - Mr Martin Tadoum

 Workshop Programme