Moscow, April 3, 2014 – a round table "Improving governance and law enforcement in the implementation of major forest operations and forest resources in the FLEG II (ENPI East) Program" was held as a part of the Arkhangelsk International Forestry Forum.

During the round table, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry of the Arkhangelsk Region and the World Bank, with the support of the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz), the issues of contribution of the FLEG II to the "State policy guidelines on the use, protection, conservation, and reproduction of forests of the Russian Federation until 2030" were examined. They also explored improving the legal regulation of forests and law enforcement practice, and improving the efficiency of forest management, curriculum development, and public involvement in sustainable forest management. Participants of the EU funded FLEG II Program from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Moldova shared their best practices with their Russian counterparts, covering the implementation principles of sustainable forest management, improvements of wood harvesting and processing, reforestation, protection from fires and illegal logging.

During the meeting it was noted that the main directions of FLEG II correspond to the goals and objectives of the "State policy guidelines on the use, protection, conservation, and reproduction of forests of the Russian Federation until 2030", and the results implemented in the Russian program activities FLEG I and FLEG II. These were achieved through interaction and dialogue with the federal and regional governments, forest users, and scientific, educational and community organizations.

As a result of the meeting, the participants of the round table developed recommendations for Rosleskhoz, bodies of state, and executive authorities of the Russian Federation:

1. Ensure the implementation of the results of FLEG II, contributing to improving forest management in the implementation of the "State policy guidelines on the use, protection, conservation, and reproduction of forests of the Russian Federation until 2030".
2. Use FLEG II methodological guidelines to improve forest protection measures aimed at improving forest ecosystems, combating illegal use of forests, forest fire prevention, and improving forest management in the implementation of the “Forest Fire Prevention and Control in the Russian Forest Management System” project.
3. Facilitate the implementation of training modules in the process of training for FLEG II developed state forest management.
4. Use recommendations of the FLEG II Program to ensure the rights of citizens and public organizations to obtain timely and reliable information on forest conditions, the results of forest administration, and participation in decision-making.
5. Regularly exercise experience exchanges to improve management and enforcement between the subjects of the Russian Federation, through publications, seminars, Internet websites, and training of experts in the best practices and achievements in this field.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Russian Federation State Duma Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Ecology, federal executive bodies, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, bodies of executive power in the field of forest relations of the Russian Federation, World Bank experts, representatives of the participants of the FLEG II (ENPI East) Program, non-governmental organizations, research and educational institutions, timber companies and other stakeholders.