By Abdullahi Lukman
Civil society organisations from nine countries have raised concerns over the European Union’s decision to terminate Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) under its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative, warning that the move could reverse years of progress in forest governance, transparency and community participation.
In a joint letter submitted to EU stakeholders on Tuesday , the organisations argued that ending the agreements would weaken established mechanisms that promote accountability, civic engagement and sustainable forest management in participating countries.
The signatories, representing Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Guyana, Honduras and Indonesia, said the termination process had excluded civil society groups, Indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities despite their central role in implementing the agreements.
Signed on behalf of the organisations by Alfred Nkodia, the letter described the exclusion as a deliberate decision that could undermine the legitimacy of future forest-related partnerships between the EU and producer countries.
The groups noted that VPAs were established as legally binding trade agreements aimed at ensuring timber exported to Europe originates from legal sources while strengthening governance structures, improving transparency and enhancing public participation in forest management.
According to the letter, the agreements have helped create formal platforms for dialogue among governments, communities and civil society organisations, improved access to forestry information, strengthened timber traceability systems and reduced opportunities for corruption.
The organisations warned that dismantling these structures could leave vulnerable groups, including women, Indigenous peoples and young people, without meaningful representation in forest governance and expose communities to increased risks from illegal logging activities.
They also criticised the timing of the EU’s decision, arguing that it conflicts with the bloc’s implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires stricter environmental compliance from producer countries.
The groups said many countries have invested significant resources in strengthening forest governance and traceability systems to meet EUDR requirements, often with support from the EU.
They maintained that VPAs provide important legal and institutional frameworks that support those compliance efforts.
While acknowledging challenges and delays in implementing some agreements, the organisations argued that governance reforms are long-term processes that require sustained support rather than abandonment.
They called on the EU to ensure that discussions on terminating or transitioning from VPAs are conducted through existing participatory mechanisms and in line with provisions contained in the agreements.
The letter also proposed the creation of an independent monitoring structure with national branches in participating countries to oversee implementation, enhance transparency and preserve the gains achieved under the VPA framework.
The organisations further urged EU institutions, Brussels-based civil society groups and stakeholders in participating countries to support the proposal and maintain formal channels for civil society engagement in future forest governance arrangements.
According to the groups, preserving inclusive participation is essential to protecting forest communities, sustaining progress in combating illegal logging and maintaining credibility in international efforts to reduce deforestation.
They stressed that future forest partnerships should build on the achievements of the VPA model rather than replace it, insisting that meaningful stakeholder participation remains critical to effective and accountable forest governance.
