U.S., Indonesia enter agreement to combat illegal log trade
The United States and Indonesia have entered an agreement to jointly combat illegal logging and associated trade.
The agreement requires both countries to share information on timber trade, including details on illegally produced timber products, and to cooperate in law enforcement activities. The United States also committed $1 million to fund initial supporting projects, such as remote sensing of illegal logging activities and enhancing partnerships with non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
The new agreement, signed Thursday, is part of President Bush's global initiative to address illegal logging, which was started in 2003. In order to set the priorities of the agreement, the United States and Indonesia will establish a working group under the existing U.S.-Indonesia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
U.S., Indonesia enter agreement to combat illegal log trade