Development of a national certification system for Myanmar’s forests

As Myanmar reforms its forestry sector, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is working with its partner, PEFC, to help the country manage its forestry resources sustainably to promote fair and sustainable development.

The country’s forests are rich in biodiversity and home to numerous endemic plant and animal species which are known throughout the world, most notably teak.

However, forest coverage has fallen from 60% to 40% over the last 30 years. This is a significant loss due, in part, to the period of military rule when forests were managed to provide a high economic return, with little regard for long-term sustainability.

Although the country is in transition, considerable progress still has to be made to ensure that Myanmar’s forests can be managed sustainably, with equal consideration given to the social, environmental and economic aspects of logging.

The project led by the PEFC comprises three interdependent components:

• The establishment of a national forest certification system.
• The introduction of responsible forestry practices by means of a knowledge platform and pilot projects.
• The improvement and verification of the supply chain to increase transparency in logging.

Results on the ground are very encouraging. The Myanmar Forest Certification Council (MFCC), the project’s primary partner, has been able to set up a multi-stakeholder platform to promote coordination and the sharing of experience and best practices between those involved in the forestry sector.

In 2019, the MFCC launched the wood certification scheme in Myanmar, marking the first phase in the system for ensuring the legality of the country’s wood. This guarantees that the timber harvested complies with the law. Finally, in 2020 the first consignments of natural, responsible teak have been sent to Europe.

The goal is now to consolidate and diversify Sustainable Forest Management Certification in Myanmar, developing the infrastructures of the supporting mechanisms, improving related livelihoods, and enhancing Myanmar’s participation in global forest trade.