The protocol on forestry of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) provides a broad and comprehensive policy framework to manage forests across the region.

The protocol offers effective management of forest resources by coordinating forest uses, harmonizing regional practices and facilitating trade and conservation. The protocol operates in the context of climate change and ensure the provision of ecosystem goods and services to people and communities.

Three SADC forestry regional programs have been developed to implement important elements of the protocol. The regional cross-border fire management program is geared at reducing the incidence of uncontrolled forest fires to preserve remaining forests, the SADC support program aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) and the SADC regional forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT) program ensures forest products are harvested and traded based on an agreed legal framework and in line with the principles of sustainable forest management.

Together these programs provide an expansive approach to promote sustainable forest management, legal harvesting and trade in forest products and transboundary use and ensure the protection of resources as well as climate change mitigation initiatives in the region.

Report by the AfDB