FLEGT in the DRC

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has requested to start formal VPA negotiations with the EU. In early 2010, the EU sent a delegate to be based in the country to inform different stakeholders about the process and prepare the ground for negotiations. Formal VPA negotiations are expected to start before the end of 2010.

With 70% of the Congolese population directly dependent on forests, the forest resource is crucially important for the wellbeing of the people in the country. After decades of tyranny and civil war, the country is slowly rebuilding political institutions and its economy. The process towards developing a VPA could help rebuild the political institutions and strengthen the economy if it is ensured that the VPA will be negotiated with the participation of all legitimate 'stakeholders' and rightsholders and any legality definition will be based on a thorough assessment of the current situation concerning customary law and possible conflicts with statutory laws.

In 2006, FERN commissioned the report Forest governance in DRC, with recommendations for a VPA.