The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) has emphasised that the successful implementation of the Timber Legality Standard (TLS) and the development of a credible Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS) cannot be achieved in isolation, but will require strong collaboration across all sectors.
PNGFA Acting Managing Director John Mosoro made the remarks today when opening a two-day National Stakeholder Workshop on the PNG Timber Legality Standard and the proposed TLVS Roadmap in Port Moresby.
Mr. Mosoro said the process demands strong partnerships and coordination between government agencies, industry players, resource owners, civil society organisations, and development partners.
“It requires strong partnerships and coordination among government agencies, industry, resource owners, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Your participation over the next two days is therefore essential in helping us shape a practical roadmap for implementation,” he said.
He described the workshop as a significant milestone in the country’s forestry reform agenda, noting that extensive consultations over the past decade had contributed to the development of the PNG TLS.
“This workshop marks an important milestone in PNG’s forestry sector reform agenda. Over the past decade, the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority, together with our stakeholders and partners, has worked diligently to develop the PNG TLS through extensive consultations and collaboration. Today, we gather to reflect on that journey and chart the next phase of implementation,” Mr. Mosoro said.
He further explained that the Timber Legality Standard represents a shared national commitment to promoting legal, transparent, and sustainable forest management practices, while also strengthening Papua New Guinea’s competitiveness in international timber markets.
“The PNG TLS represents our shared commitment to promoting legal, transparent, and sustainable forest management. It provides a nationally agreed framework that defines what constitutes legal timber production in PNG and strengthens our ability to meet the expectations of international markets,” he said.
Mr. Mosoro added that the TLS will play a critical role in advancing government priorities, including downstream processing, value addition, improved governance, and increased economic returns from the forestry sector.
He also noted that the workshop provides an opportunity to review lessons learned from pilot audits and three regional consultations held across the country, which highlighted both progress and challenges in developing the Timber Legality Verification System.
“This workshop also provides an opportunity to share lessons learnt from the pilot audits and the three regional workshops conducted across the country. The feedback and experiences gathered have highlighted both the opportunities and challenges ahead as we move towards developing a Timber Legality Verification System (TLVS),” he said.
Mr. Mosoro encouraged all participants to engage constructively in discussions to help strengthen forest governance and improve market access for Papua New Guinea’s forest products.
“I encourage all participants to engage openly, share your experiences, and contribute constructively to the discussions. Together, we can strengthen forest governance, improve market access, and ensure that Papua New Guinea’s forestry sector continues to contribute sustainably towards national development,” he said.
The workshop brings together about 70 participants, including representatives from key government agencies, forest industry operators, civil society organisations, provincial forest management committees, provincial and district governments, development partners, and PNGFA staff.
The two-day workshop is expected to finalise key inputs toward the national roadmap for implementing the Timber Legality Verification System.