EU on GoL latest effort in the Forest Sector

The head of the European Union delegation here Ambassador Tiina Intelmann has welcome government’s latest effort aimed at managing the forest sector.

Opening a conference on rethinking Liberia’s forests in Monrovia Tuesday October 6, 2015, Madam Intelmann said the EU supports the Government’s effort to invest in the communities and forests, and reaffirmed the importance of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements process for sustainable forest management. An important element of this process, she stated, is that it also serves as a platform for consultations between Government, civil society organizations and private sector.

During the conference dubbed, “Rethinking Liberia’s Forest: Implementing the New Vision”, she said the Government’s move is a recognition of the value of forests to all as public goods and that the EU is convinced that Liberia would create significant long-term economic opportunities based on the legal and sustainable use and conservation of its forest resources.

Amb. Intelmann underlined the role of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) in ensuring the future of forests in Liberia. With the FDA already receiving more than 100 applications from communities to manage their own forests through the Community Forest Management Agreements under the Community Rights Law of 2009, the EU Ambassador noted the challenges in this area and called for a prudent and progressive approach. -Press Release