The future is brighter than ever for PEFC’s global reach

19 December 2016 News

2016 was a fantastic year for the PEFC Alliance, as we welcomed six new national members to the family – but 2017 could be even better!

As has become the tradition during our General Assembly, representatives from countries actively developing national forest certification systems were invited to speak – and this year we had a very busy agenda, with Cambodia, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Congo and Viet Nam all taking part.

So what did they have to say?

“There was no interest in forest certification, until PEFC came to our country,” said June Alvarez from the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development.

“Since then, we have led an education campaign, started drafting our national system and begun the creation of a national governing body – all with the assistance of PEFC International.”

June was not the only one to highlight the benefits of the PEFC system.

“PEFC supports the development of national systems, ensuring that the concerns of the country are taken into account,” said Hugues Ekani, on behalf of PAFC Congo.

“It is for this reason that the Congolese government is supporting the development of PEFC in the country."

Others took the opportunity to highlight their progress towards PEFC certification.

“Within the next two years we hope to have a national system and a national governing body in place,” said Ghan Shyam Pandey from Green Foundation Nepal.

“In two years we might even have the highest PEFC-certified forest in the world!”

While for some, just being at PEFC Week was a great opportunity.

“I am very glad to be here to learn and get experience from the old and new members – from the whole PEFC family!” said So Lorn, from the Forestry Administration of Cambodia.

“I hope that PEFC will support Cambodia as we develop our national forest certification system.”

For many, this was a chance for them to thank the PEFC family for their support.

“We are grateful to PEFC International, all the PEFC members and our donors who have given us their support over the last two years,” said Vo Dai Hai from the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences.

“This is a great opportunity for us to work together, and we are very confident in joining the PEFC family soon.”

“We would like to thank everyone for the support we have received as we begin implementing PEFC in Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico,” said Ana Alicia García Ahumada from the Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación.

“I hope that in the future all these countries can be a part of this family.”

“It was fantastic to see so many representatives from countries in the process of developing their own national forest certification systems,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, following the close of the General Assembly.

“We will continue to offer them assistance and support as they continue their journey towards PEFC endorsement, and we all look forward to welcoming them into the PEFC family very soon!”