Participants to the Kigali workshop adopt a common vision concerning the priority points and stakes of the support project to the improvement of laws governing the cross-border wood sectors in the Great Lakes countries (Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and Uganda) and a 2011-2012 road map. They contribute to the operationalisation of communication and visibility strategies of the project

Kigali (Republic of Rwanda), 13 – 14 October 2011 - Holding in the Conference hall of Michael’s Den Hotel of the launching workshop of the support project to the improvement of laws governing cross-border wood sectors in the Great lakes countries (Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and Uganda), in accordance with the memorandum of understanding of the said project signed between UICN (Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The meeting organized by the Republic of Rwanda, UICN and FAO gathered representatives of the Rwandan, the Burundian and the DRC governments, UICN focal points in the four countries, representatives of the civil society in the four countries (ABO, REDO, ARECO/REFADD, ADARWA, AFED, ACNR, etc.), representatives of the public sector (OGEFREM), representatives of development partners (GIZ, FAO, ACDI), including CBFP Facilitation. The overall objective of this meeting was to inform stakeholders involved in the project in the four above-mentioned countries about the expected objectives and outcomes of the project.

Following the opening ceremony, participants listened to a series of exposés on (1) the objectives pursued, the results expected and the planned activities of the project (2) The stakes, challenges and opportunities of the implementation strategy of the project and the draft 2011-2012 road map (3) The improvement of forest laws in Central Africa – the CBFP contribution in the framework of its 2010-2011 road map (4) The appraisal of products and policies in terms of cross-border forest products trade (5) Freight follow-up instruments and mechanisms: Case of FERI (Electronic Information Sheet at Importation), FERE (Electronic Information Sheet at Exportation) and AD (Attestation of Destination) (6) C4 B sub-components and energy wood and craft wood in the South – Kivu and Maniema provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Following exposés which gave rise to numerous questions for understanding from participants and enabled fruitful discussions during group deliberations and which helped to reach a common vision concerning priority points and stakes of the project, three strong recommendations resulted from the two-day meeting:

 ♦ All actors involved in the implementation of the project should be able to own the road map adopted during this meeting and to assist in the operationalisation of communication and visibility strategies;

♦ Forest products such as energy wood should undergo thorough studies like those concerning timber implemented in the context of climate change;

♦ Participants in the workshop should report on the outcomes of this meeting within their respective institutions and organizations.

For further information, please download:

Final Workshop Communiqué