Jakarta April 23, 2016 - WWF welcomes the understanding reached regarding the final stage of recognition of Indonesia's legal timber verification system which will be recognized as a FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) scheme when President Joko Widodo met with EU President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on April 21, 2016.

This is a follow-up to the final assessment which states that Indonesia is ready to fully implement the Indonesia-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), as Indonesia has now included all types of products within the scope of the VPA.

Indonesia will be the first country to obtain a FLEGT license by implementing the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK).

"Through the recognition of SVLK as a FLEGT license confirms Indonesia's commitment to preserving forests by only trading timber that has guaranteed legality," said Dr Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Aditya Bayunanda, Forest Commodities Market Transformation Leader WWF Indonesia said, "Indonesia confirms its seriousness in combating illegal logging by implementing timber legality verification on all wood products including furniture traded abroad." Aditya continued, "After going through a long and challenging process, Indonesia, which was once highlighted for illegal timber, now almost 90% of its timber industry has been verified for legality. We appreciate the Government's firm steps by implementing SVLK as a legality instrument for Indonesian wood products, especially those that will be sold in foreign markets."

WWF Indonesia together with ASMINDO (Association of Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industries) since 2013 with support from the European Union has provided assistance for small and medium industries (IKM) to obtain SVLK certificates. This activity includes capacity building and direct assistance to furniture IKMs to meet SVLK standards, located in Java, Kalimantan and Sumatra.

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For more information, please contact:
Aditya Bayunanda, Forest Commodities Market Transformation Leader, WWF Indonesia
Email: [email protected] , Phone: +62 818265588

Nyoman Iswarayoga, Communication and Advocacy Director, WWF Indonesia
Email: [email protected], Hp: +62 8111284868