Forest Certification Workshop in Port Moresby

PRESS RELEASE
8th March 2008
For Immediate Release

National Forest Certification Workshop to be held in Port Moresby

The PNG Forest Certification Incorporated (PNG FC Inc) will be hosting a National Forest Certification workshop from 11-12 March 2008 at the Hideaway Hotel Port Moresby, NCD. Speakers will include both PNG and regional personnel involved one way or another in forestry, forest certification and timber labelling matters.

“The main purpose of the workshop is to bring all stakeholders up to date with forest certification matters and sustainable forest management as the last such workshop was held in October 1997 and since then much development has been made both locally and internationally” said the National Coordinator Mr Yati A. Bun. “We are expecting over 30 PNG representatives from the government, industry and civil society organisations as well as some regional representations”

PNGFC is a national NGO that began in 1997 with the main purpose of sustainable forest management through forest certification under the auspices of the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC is an independent international forest certification body based in Bonn, Germany.

The highlight of the workshop will be the launch of:
- PNG Forest Certification Inc. and
- PNG National Standards which includes High Conservation Value Forests Guidelines.

Mr Bun said, “PNG has had very bad publicity in recent past regarding the forestry sector and it must be a concern for all stakeholders involved to help clear this bad image. One way of doing that is by ensuring the right things are done and forest certification under the FSC has been internationally proven to be one such tool. With the launch of the PNG FC Inc and the PNG national standards, hopefully PNG will be on the way of clearing up its image”.

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