Conference on Illegal Trade in Natural Resources. What can Brussels do?
In the first morning session, the panellists will provide an assessment of the problems created by illegal
trade in commodities and its implications for environment, development, peace & security and international trade.
Following this, a group of experts will provide an analysis of the politics and economics that allow such commodities
to be presented as legal natural assets to importing countries. In the afternoon, the panellists will go through the most
recent solutions developed to tackle the problem including certification (FSC, PEFC), voluntary initiatives (Kimberley Process,
FLEGT VPA’s) and prohibitions (Lacey Act, Public Procurements, Due Diligence Regulation). In the last session, we will explore
what the European Union could do to contribute to the fight against illegal trade in natural resources involving Member States
and whether a general legal mechanism can be set up within importing countries to efficiently address the issue. A special slot
for discussions will be reserved in each session.
