REVISION OF 16-2000 LAW CONCERNING THE FOREST CODE AND SUBSEQUENT TEXTS

REVISION OF 16-2000 LAW CONCERNING THE FOREST CODE AND SUBSEQUENT TEXTS

The Congolese forest legislative and regulatory framework, set up over 10 years ago, should be adapted to take account of new issues emerged during the past period. This is especially to integrate the sustainability developments of forest management, implementation of the provisions relating to FLEGT-VPA, taking into account actions related to REDD + and for fight against global warming, and the need to involve more broadly indigenous and local communities in forest management.

In this context, the Ministry of Forest Economy and Sustainable Development (MEFDD) intends to conduct a comprehensive review of the Act 16-2000 of 20 November 2000 concerning Forest Code and subsequent legislation.

Given the high challenge for Congo and the need to develop a legislative and regulatory framework that meets international criteria and standards for forest management, the actions already undertaken by the MEFDD for the revision of the Forest Code (work FAO and MEFDD) must be supported and strengthened.

In this context, and with the support of international partners and donors, the MEFDD wanted to use a qualified external expertise to help ensure compatibility of the new Forestry Code of the Republic of Congo with the requirements of international regulations and in particular that related to FLEGT-VPA.