Célestin Ahoutou joins ATIBT as part of the PASSAD-Forêts project in Côte d'Ivoire.

On February 19, 2024, the European Union and Côte d'Ivoire formalized their partnership by signing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA-FLEGT). Within this framework, the Support Program for Sustainable Forestry and Agri-Food Systems (PASSAD-Forêts), implemented by the European Forestry Institute (EFI) with the support of the EU Delegation, provides for several service contracts, including one with ATIBT. The latter was signed in May 2025.

Celestin’s recruitment is part of this Program and marks an important step in the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement signed between the European Union and Côte d'Ivoire.

To support this initiative, ATIBT, in collaboration with the Syndicat des Producteurs Industriels du Bois (SPIB), has recruited a project manager dedicated to the private sector. Their main mission is to help forestry companies comply with the requirements of the Legality Verification System (SVL) and international standards, coordinate sector activities, build the capacity of operators, and support the SPIB in its role as a liaison with its members. This strategic role aims to ensure the effective integration of private interests into the APV-FLEGT process, while promoting the sustainable management of Ivorian forests.

Célestin Ahoutou's background and expertise

Célestin Kouakou AHOUTOU, a water and forestry engineer, holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management of Tropical Ecosystems and Forests from the AgroParisTech Institute (France). With over 12 years of experience, he is recognized for his expertise in sustainable forest resource management, environmental governance, and landscape restoration.

He has been a key player in the VPA-FLEGT process in Côte d'Ivoire, contributing to the development of the Ivorian Forest Code, legality matrices, and the national timber verification and traceability system. Former Deputy Director of Private Forestry Promotion at the Ministry of Water and Forests and National Focal Point for the AFR100 initiative, he has led national reforestation strategies and actively participated in numerous international meetings on forest governance and ecosystem restoration.

ATIBT welcomes the arrival of Célestin Ahoutou, whose background and commitment to sustainability are valuable assets for the implementation of PASSAD-Forêts and the support of the Ivorian private sector.

We invite all our partners to send him their encouragement and to join us in supporting this new chapter in the service of responsible and sustainable forestry.

About the Project:

The forestry component of the Program to Support Sustainable Forestry and Agri-Food Systems (PASSAD – Forest) of the European Union Delegation aims to develop production capacities and sustainable management of forest resources in Côte d'Ivoire. It comprises three complementary components, namely providing technical assistance to the Sustainable Forest Restoration Program (PRDF), supporting the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between Côte d'Ivoire and the European Union on forest law enforcement, governance, and trade (FLEGT VPA), and supporting the development of private forestry.

Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) are a key element of the European Union's Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT), which aims to curb illegal logging. The FLEGT VPA negotiated and signed between the EU and Côte d'Ivoire provides a legally binding framework to ensure that timber and timber products imported into the EU from Côte d'Ivoire are legal and traceable. The agreement also aims to improve forest governance, combat illegal logging, and promote legal timber trade between Côte d'Ivoire and the EU.