Workshop focuses on forest governances

A workshop held in Port Moresby recently focused on the Government’s commitment to improve current law enforcement and forest sector governance.
The two-day conference on the country’s Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS) marked the establishment of a regulatory process that would strengthen the timber legality and compliance. It also focused on the necessary resources for those responsible in ensuring the country’s timbers were legal and verified for trade.
PNG Forest Authority managing director Tunou Sabuin said: “The TLS has been refined, tested and scaled up through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.
“The current PNGFA monitoring systems such as the Decision Support System which is populated with relevant data will be consolidated into this new system, and be reinforced. With a high degree of stakeholder involvement, I am confident the TLS and the TLVS once finalised, will be acceptable.”
He said PNG’s legal framework governing the trade of timber needs was being addressed and since this is a living document there would be room for amendments.