Over fifty stakeholders from the Government, the private sector and civil society have come together to discuss the development of a future scenario for engagement and investment in PNG’s forestry sector.
Led by the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) with the support of Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) REDD+ Readiness project, the discussions centered on how best to achieve Government’s ambitious target, to ban all round log exports and increase downstream processing by 2020, supported by the expansion of plantation forests covering 800,000ha by 2050.
The development of a future scenario is in line with the National REDD+ Strategy 2017-2027 which provides a framework of actions to be carried out by Government, communities and the private sector to help manage the country’s forests while also helping to develop rural economies.
The strategy will also support improvements in the management of timber concessions, increase areas of plantations, encourage downstream timber processing as well as strengthen land-use and development planning.
Andrew Aopo, Acting Director for PNGFA (Field Services), said: “The role of private sector in the forestry industry is crucial as it significantly contributes to the country’s economy. This assignment will help us to provide an enabling policy framework so the private sector can help achieve Government targets specified in the National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development for Papua New Guinea (StaRS) and the latest Medium Term Development Plan.”
Aopo has also highlighted key elements to consider implementation of a national reforestation programme, “Painim Graun, Plainim Diwai” implemented by PNGFA, where the private sector could support landowners on their engagement with community forestry initiatives.
Mirzohaydar Isoev, UNDP REDD+ Chief Technical Advisor, has delivering welcoming remarks on behalf of UNDP, said: “The UNDP continues providing support to the Government of PNG in the achievement of national priorities, particularly in relation to the National REDD+ Strategy. This is only possible if all stakeholders from different sectors stand together, share their views and actively participate in the implementation of these strategies.”
The recommendations from this workshop will help the Government in the development of a short to medium term strategy to develop practical measures to achieve the targets on private sector engagement in increasing downstreaming processes and making the forestry industry sustainable.
The discussions were facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme.