With the support from GIZ-ProFEB, Lao FLEGT CSO network has organized a workshop for election of new members for FLEGT CSO committee. The election took place on 21 November 2023 in Vang Vieng, Vientiane Province with the participation of 25 CSOs participants and witnessed by the government official of the Department of Forest Inspection. The new elected members are from 5 CSOs namely Lao Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas Association (Lao DHRR), Association for Rural Mobilization and Improvement (ARMI), Maeying Huamjai Phatthana (MHP), Rural Research and Development Promoting Association (RRDPA) and Green Community Development Association (GCDA) who will perform their duties as Lao FLEGT CSO committee for the term of five years, from January 2024 to December 2028. The committee will play critical roles to oversee, manage and involve CSO members in Lao-EU FLEGT VPA process. In addition, based on the past and current experiences and challenges of SCOs regarding the FLEGT VPA process, the committee will take lead to discuss and formulate actions plan for upcoming years for involvement in FLEGT VPA negotiations with EU through multi-stakeholders process. The FLEGT VPA will help to promote trading of legal timber and wood products and improve forest governance in Lao PDR in the long run.
