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Ukraine

Despite the generally favorable official statistics in Ukraine on forestry issues, the problems related to the use of forests - namely illegal logging and shadow forestry business - have recently grown more acute in the country. There have been attempts by the government to adopt laws which would help resolve existing problems and difficulties, however these did not bring the expected results as numerous violations and related crime still persist. 

In 2006-2008, the State Forestry Committee of Ukraine attempted a number of specific steps, including legislative initiatives and governmental resolutions, to implement the tasks envisaged by the Indicative Action Plan. These steps made by a single governmental agency proved uncoordinated and not duly integrated into comprehensive efforts under the national forest policy.

The implementation of the ENPI FLEG Program in Ukraine is developed at two levels – national and regional. National actions include:

  • Identifying, classification and assessment of law enforcement problems; 
  • Analysis and improvement of forest and associated legislation;
  • Enhancing transparency and information access to governmental bodies; and 
  • Improving the coordination activities with environmental NGOs and businesses. 

Regional efforts have practical applications and are primarily aimed at preparation and approval of modern methods and techniques for quality assessment and control over the movement of timber products, as well as prevention, detection and response to legal violations.

The first meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Program was held in Kyiv in mid February 2009. Participants in the meeting included donor organizations, officials from the Ukrainian State Forestry Committee and other controlling bodies, members of non-governmental organizations that are key in ensuring a successful implementation of the Program. Further efforts under the program and coordination of activities through the Advisory Committee were discussed at the meeting. The Deputy Head of the State Forestry Committee of Ukraine Mr. Victor Chervonyi was appointed Committee’s Chair.

In the framework of the Program, a group of consultants will perform an analysis of guaranteed rights of local residents and small businesses for the legal use of forest resources. 

In mid November a working meeting entitled “Ukrainian forest mirrored in mass media” was organized. The meeting aimed at ensuring effective cooperation between stakeholders and mass media under the ENPI-FLEG program, as well as enhancing professionalism, reliability and efficiency of mass media publications and reports on forest related issues. 

Recognizing Carpathian as the key forest region in Ukraine, a seminar was organized in December for local forest rangers, representatives of local ecological inspections, law enforcement bodies, official authorities, businesses and NGOs. At the seminar initial results of the ENPI FLEG Program in Ukraine were presented and broad discussions took place on the issues related to effective law enforcement in Carpathian region forests. Proposals on potential pilot projects were also examined.

In order to more efficiently promote the Program and disseminate information on its implementation a media strategy is being developed by the World Bank. 

Visit the Ukraine ENPI FLEG website for more information.