Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Address the European Union’s Proposal to Cancel the Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)

Your Excellency,

We, the undersigned civil society organizations and stakeholders working in the natural resource sector of Liberia write to express our deep concern regarding the European Commission’s (EC) intention to propose the cancellation of the Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). The VPA is a legally binding trade agreement that has been instrumental in fostering sustainable forest governance, reducing illegal logging, and ensuring community benefits from the forestry sector. The European Commission’s unilateral decision to propose its cancellation, without proper consultation or assessment, poses serious risks to Liberia’s reputation, governance, and socio-economic stability.

Reputational Risks: The cancellation of the VPA risks tarnishing Liberia’s reputation as a country striving for transparency and legality in timber production. Unlike neighboring countries such as Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Congo, whose VPAs remain intact, Liberia’s potential exclusion highlights perceived failures in governance and forest sector reforms. Such a move could:

• Undermine Liberia’s international standing and impact

trade relations, particularly

with the EU, China, and the United States, which have

stringent timber import laws.

• Damage the credibility of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and its new leadership.
• Negatively affect Liberia’s ranking on global indices such

as the Transparency Index.

Risks of Increased Illegal Logging: The VPA’s timber tracking system, though requiring further enhancement, has proven effective in exposing illegal timber exports. Canceling the VPA would jeopardize this system, potentially leading to:

• Increased illegal logging and tax evasion.
• Loss of financial benefits from legal trade, which supports

national development and local livelihoods.

Undermining of Liberia’s Legal Framework: Liberia’s progressive forestry laws, including the National Forestry Reform Law (NFRL), the Community Rights Law (CRL), and the Liberia Revenue Authority Act (LRA), provide legal security for communities and companies. The VPA ensures enforcement of these laws. Its cancellation would risk:

Attested:

Members organization

1. Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU)
2. Right and Rice Foundation (RRF)
3. Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI)
4. Liberia Forest Media Watch (LFMW)
5. Sustainable Development Institute (SDI)
6. National Union of Community Forest Management Bodies (NUCFMB)
7. Society for the Conservation Nature of Liberia (SCNL)
8. National Unionfor Community Forest Development Committee (NUCFDCs)
9. Journalist for the Protection of Nature (JPN)
10. Alliance for Rural Democracy (ARD)
11. Foundation for Good Governance and Democratic Initiative (FGGDI)
12. Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE)
13. Community Rights Support Facility (CRSF)
14. Civil Society Independent Forest Monitor (CSIFM)
15. Liberia Chainsaw and Timber Dealers Union (LICSATDUN)
16. Green Advocates International (GAI)
17. Community Development Initiative (CDI)
18. Development Education Liberia (DEN-L)
19. Champions for Change (CFC)
20. Social Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Development (SESDeV)
21. Partners in Development (PADeV)
22. Skills and Agriculture Development Services (SADS)
23. Volunteers to support international Efforts in Developing Africa (VOSIEDA)