01/11/2013
Lima, Peru – At the conclusion of meetings held this week in Lima, the Governments of the United States and Peru announced agreement on a five-point action plan to support Peru’s forestry sector reform efforts and further Peru’s implementation of its obligations under the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) Annex on Forest Sector Governance. This bilateral action plan will deepen the two Governments’ ongoing cooperation with regards to the sustainable management of bigleaf mahogany and Spanish cedar, which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The United States will support Peru as it undertakes the actions listed in the plan through its ongoing and substantial capacity-building programs in Peru. Further details regarding the action plan can be found in the joint communiqué issued by the Governments on January 11, 2013.
“This action plan represents an important step in our bilateral relationship and underscores our joint commitment to take action to enhance forest sector governance and promote legal trade in timber products,” stated Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis. “We welcome the forestry reform efforts already underway in Peru and believe that this action plan will further advance those efforts.”
“It is really gratifying for us that both at bilateral and multilateral level, in the framework of the CITES Convention, the world is recognizing the progress being made by Peru in this area,” mentioned Peru’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade Carlos Posada. “The action plan agreed with the United States will strengthen the efforts being made for a sustainable management of bigleaf mahogany and Spanish cedar and will contribute to the legal trade in timber products under CITES.”
The Governments also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to fulfilling their obligations under the PTPA and discussed progress in implementing the PTPA Annex on Forest Sector Governance, including specific cooperation initiatives that support the action plan. The Government of the United States noted with appreciation the significant improvements shown by Peru in strengthening its forest sector governance since the entry into force of the PTPA, including: passage of the Forestry and Wildlife Law (no. 29763) in 2011; establishment of an independent forestry oversight body in 2009; and the adoption of laws and administrative procedures for the management, supervision and issuance of permits for the exports of CITES timber species, specifically bigleaf mahogany and Spanish cedar. Peru reaffirmed its commitment to continue to make progress in implementing its CITES management laws and administrative procedure, including through the agreed action plan.
Background
The Annex on Forest Sector Governance, part of the Environment Chapter of the PTPA, reflects the commitment of both countries to take concrete actions to enhance forest sector governance, promote legal trade in timber products, combat trade associated with illegal logging and illegal trade in wildlife, and further sustainable management of forest resources.
Read the joint communiqué here.
