22.05.2026
The 2025 Joint Annual Report of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA) between the Republic of the Congo and the European Union is now available. The report provides an overview of the progress made in implementing the VPA, recent developments in forest governance, and the key challenges and prospects facing the Congolese forestry sector.
The Republic of the Congo remains a High Forest Cover / Low Deforestation country, with forests covering around 23.5 million hectares, or 69% of the national territory, and an annual deforestation rate estimated at only 0.03%.
The report highlights continued progress in sustainable forest management and certification:
Significant advances were also recorded in the deployment of the Computerized Legality Verification System (SIVL), which now integrates legality, traceability and forest taxation modules. Several companies have already initiated legality certification procedures under the future FLEGT licensing framework.
The report further underlines the growing importance of processed timber exports since the 2023 ban on log exports, as well as ongoing efforts to prepare the sector for compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), notably through improved traceability and geolocation systems.
ATIBT welcomes the continued efforts undertaken by the Republic of the Congo, the European Union, the private sector and civil society to strengthen legality, transparency and sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin.
