Goho(=Legal) Wood NAVI

International seminar for tackling illegal logging, 2007 II in Yokohama:
"A credible and distributable system for verifying
Goho(=legal) wood and wood products”
(Working plan dated September 12, 2007)
Prepared by the Japan Federation of Wood-Industry Association
- Council for Tackling Illegal Logging Issue

･ Click here for a pdf of the this page

1. Purpose and background
To tackle world wide illegal logging, the government of Japan has, from April, 2006, implemented measures to prioritize products made from raw materials of timber thats legality and sustainability can be proven upon purchase of the wood products.

In February, 2006 the Forestry Agency of Japan had prepared and announced a domestic and international proposal "The guideline for verification on legality and sustainability of wood and wood products".

As most wood and wooden products that are consumed in Japan have been supplied from offshore countries, it is critical to ask these exporting countries to properly understand the Japanese system and to promote the tackling of illegal logging in their own countries.

It is very important for Japan to import wood and wood products with proven legality and sustainability in a problem free manner.

Therefore, as one part of tackling illegal logging, the Japan Federation of Wood-Industry Association sponsored "International Seminar for Tackling Illegal Logging, 2007 - Response of the world to the Procurement Policies of Japan –“ and sent the message, "let us build a worldwide network of Goho wood" and made an appeal to " build a worldwide network of Goho wood.".

Based upon this appeal, the International Seminar for tackling Illegal Logging, 2007 II in Yokohama will be held for the following purposes;

1) Further request to the producing countries of wood and wood products to tackle the illegal logging issue; and an introduction of the verification methods to the producing countries in accordance with the Japanese guideline for the purpose of smooth supply of wood and wood products with proven legality and sustainability.

2) Further use and further opportunities in the marketplace of wood and wood products that have proven legality and sustainability.

Companies and industry organizations who sell legally proven wood and wood products in the international market shall be invited to the seminar in order to have mutual discussions.

Also, taking G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008 into consideration, the seminar will send a message for the future credible and distributable Goho wood verification system based upon an exchange of information about tackling the illegal logging issue in overseas countries.

2. Outline of the international Seminar

1) Name: International seminar for tackling illegal logging, 2007 II in Yokohama:
"A credible and distributable system for verifying Goho(=legal) wood and wood products”

2) Date: December 3 & 4, 2007

3)Place: Conference room, Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama (Pacifico Yokohama ), Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama

4)Agenda;

A. Verification system of legality and sustainability of wood and wood products by exporting countries. Reports and discussions from exporting countries and their companies. If possible, regional sessions will be held.

B. Procurement of Goho wood and wood products in Japanese market and its marketing.
Following case studies will be introduced - an introduction page of product case study of the Goho Mokuzai Navi site; Fair wood campaign for promotion of sustainable market of wood and wood products; steps being taken by major housing makers, etc.

C. G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit & World and Japanese tackles procurement of Goho wood and wood products – A credible and distributable system for verifying Goho wood and wood products.

5) Side Events;
Poster sessions of above Agenda A -
Goho wood products distributed in Japan and information about a diffusive system displayed.

6) Participants (Approximately 250) to be;
Japanese government officials concerned with the procurement of wood and wood products, persons who are responsible for the purchase of wood and wood products for their company, timber merchants, timber importers, consumers, environmental NGOs and persons from academic societies, persons concerned with timber exporters to Japan and government officials concerned.

7) Official language:
Japanese and English via simultaneous interpretation

8) Contact :
Takashi Fujiwara, Takashi Uesugi and Masahiko Kato
Japan Federation of Wood Industry Association
6F, Nagatacho Bldg., 2-4-3 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan
Phone:　+81-3-3580-3215
Facsimile: +81-3-3580-3226
E-mail: info@goho-wood.jp

3. Proposal for the International Seminar Proceedings

( Main venue)
3rd December, 2007

10:30 - 12:30 Main conference;

Greetings from the host organization, and the main guests ( incuding the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (tentative))

Keynote speech

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Break

14:00 - 17:30 Session A;

Verification system of legality and sustainability of wood and wood products by exporting countries

4th December, 2007

09:30 - 12:30 Session B;

Procurement of Goho wood and wood products in Japanese market and its marketing ( Sub committee meeting 1)

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch Break

14:00 - 16:00 Panel Discussion;

G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit &

World and Japanese tackles for procurements of Goho wood and wood products – Credible and distributable system for verifying Goho wood and wood products.

Reports from Japan and other countries.
Discussion
( Sub venue ) - Session 2 & Poster and other display

3rd December, 2007

14:00 - 17:30 Subcommittee meeting - 2

4th December, 2007

09:30 - 12:30 Subcommittee meeting -3