Goho(=Legal) Wood NAVI

June 27, 2008

• There are still many things to discuss, I am sure, but our time here is limited and at this point I would like to move to a summary of today's meeting.
• Despite its brevity, I think this has been an extremely significant and fruitful meeting, thanks to the lively exchange of opinions among all the participants. Thank you very much.
• Today's meeting was intended as an opportunity for just such an exchange of views among the members of GLOBE International and the other participants, and though a printed version of the conference proceedings has not been planned, as we bring the meeting to a close I would like, in my position as chairman, to offer a brief verbal summary of today's discussions.
• Overall, the following points were made:
  

  (1)	Taking action against illegal logging will serve as a brake on the depletion of our forests, a countermeasure against global climate change, and a means to preserve biodiversity. This is of significance to everyone on our planet, for we are all indebted to the services the forest biosphere provides, and we believe this is an issue that the G8 should focus their attention upon.
  (2)	Cooperation between producing and consuming nations is of critical importance in tackling the issue of illegal logging.
  (3)	At the same time, it is important to overcome a variety of problems and issues in the producing countries, both technological and financial.

• In his keynote address Representative Yoshino outlined the measures Japan is taking, which met with a very positive response.
  

  (1)	Goho-wood (wood verified as legally harvested) is provided through chains of custody managed by Goho-wood providers.
  (2)	Goho-wood providers must have authorization from some third-party organization, which may include industry associations, following transparent authorization procedures.
  (3)	The chains of custody are linked by certification documentation maintained by the Goho-wood providers.
  (4)	These measures will be required of all providers, whether domestic or foreign, or from high-risk or low-risk countries.

  
  Japan's Goho-wood measures may be difficult for other countries to adopt without some modification, but this basic stance and approach is internationally recognized as a first step toward sustainable action against illegal logging.
  
  The following points were raised as concrete issues for the future:
  

  (1)	The importance of measures to ensure the validity of Goho-wood certification
  (2)	The need to expand the system from government procurement to the private sector
  (3)	The need for financial incentives to Goho-wood initiatives
  (4)	The need for strict application of sanctions such as removal of certification from companies [who do not follow the procedures]

• Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd. and Kokuyo Furniture Co., Ltd. gave presentations on private-sector initiatives that elicited favorable comment, especially efforts such as developing new plantation forests.
• A number of opinions were offered concerning the general situation, which I think can be summarized as follows:
  

  (1)	The necessity of giving financial and technical assistance to the producing nations and working to eliminate poverty there
  (2)	The need for tougher enforcement against illegal logging
  (3)	The need for measures such as the Lacey Act, bilateral agreements (VPA), and similar measures
  (4)	The need for both domestic legislation and international rules and standards concerning illegal logging and forest preservation
  (5)	The need to establish a certification system for Goho-wood
  (6)	The need to actively disseminate the concept of Goho-wood internationally
  (7)	The necessity for certification of legality and traceability, while at the same time acknowledging the difficulties involved
  (8)	The need to address the issue of illegal logging in school curricula
  (9)	The need to develop rules for international trade on the basis of recognizing the importance of timber for the environment
  (10)	The provision of financial incentives for Goho-wood, and the fair distribution of such incentives

• I am sure that other opinions were also voiced, but this is my summary as chairman, and I believe all of these are points we should keep in mind as we work to develop further measures against illegal logging.
• It has been two years since Japan has introduced its government procurement system, which is now well-established. However, in order to further increase the reliability of timber and wood products, I believe it is necessary for government, industry, and civil society in Japan to cooperate in studying these matters further, taking into account the valuable input we have received today.
• Thank you for participating in more than three hours of enthusiastic discussion.
  
  Countermeasures against illegal logging have provided an opportunity for a more accurate general assessment of the functions and roles of forests in our lives and demonstrated the need for further discussion of how to equitably distribute these bounties of nature among a diversity of concerned parties and how to address issues such as global warming and preservation of biodiversity.
  
  I would like to thank all of you for your cooperation in today's proceedings, and apologize if time constraints prevented you from being able to say everything you may have wished to say.
  
  With this, I would like to bring this roundtable meeting to a close. Thank you very much for being with us here today.