Established in 2011, the APEC Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT) promotes international cooperation to protect forests, combat illegal logging, and support the trade of legally harvested timber.
📌 Key Highlights:
- Core Goal: Combat illegal logging and associated trade, foster trade in legally harvested forest products, and build technical capacity across APEC member economies.
- Major Milestones:
- 2012: Held its inaugural meeting.
- 2014: Created timber legality guidance documents to provide transparency and clarity for businesses, governments, and civil society.
- 2015: Reached consensus on the milestone APEC Common Understanding of the Scope of Illegal Logging and Associated Trade.
- Strategic Vision: Operates under multi-year strategic plans, with approved Terms of Reference guiding its work through 2026–2029.
EGILAT (APEC): Established in 2011, APEC’s Experts Group on Illegal Logging works to combat illegal trade, promote legally harvested forest products, and strengthen sustainable forest management across member economies.