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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
(202) 712-43202003-035
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2003Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the launch of the Sustainable Forestry Products Global Alliance (SFPGA) with leaders of the forestry industry, manufacturers and retailers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and investment groups. The memorandum of understanding between USAID, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Metafore, formally known as the Certified Forest Products Council, was signed at a ceremony at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington with over 100 board members, executives and government officials in attendance.
Click for high-resolution image (1.1 mb)USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios signing the Memorandum of Understanding between USAID,
the World Wildlife Fund, and MetaforeThe goal of this public-private alliance is to address critical sustainable forest management issues through the market place. The new initiative specifically encourages responsible forest management and reduces illegal trade in forest products by creating market linkages. USAID is providing $3.5 million to this initiative, with other participants pledging to match USAID's initial investment over three years. This public-private alliance has been developed within the context of the Global Development Alliance, a business model to extend USAID's reach and effectiveness by working collaboratively with private companies, foundations and others.
"This partnership has enormous potential to curb the environmental destruction associated with illegal logging in producer countries, while contributing to the economies of both producer and consumer countries," said Administrator Natsios, who spoke at the ceremony.
"Because over 1.6 billion people around the world depend on forests for their livelihood, forest conservation and economic development are closely linked," said World Wildlife Fund President Katherine Fuller. "This innovative approach combining the private, corporate and governmental sectors presents a win-win situation for all parties involved."
Forests are a key natural resource that provides sustenance and income to many of the world's poor, in addition to shade, cover, and soil conservation for agricultural crop production; watershed protection; habitat for critical animal and plant species; and a large sink of carbon. Lack of environmental stewardship in the management of forest resources and related manufacture of forest products jeopardizes all of these benefits. As a result, forests and ecosystems around the world are being destroyed at unprecedented rates from unsustainable forest practices, destructive and illegal logging, and conversion to other land uses.
For more information on the Global Development Alliance, please visit www.usaid.gov/gda
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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