APEC forestry ministers meeting marred by illegal logging

Forestry activists are hoping to use the APEC Forestry Ministers meeting in Papua New Guinea to pressure local authorities to cancel controversial leases used in the country's illegal logging trade.

The APEC meeting began in the nation's capital Port Moresby on Tuesday to discuss issues relating to illegal logging and promote sustainable forestry management.

Environmental activists from Global Witness claim PNG authorities are yet to cancel Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) that cover five million hectares of customary land used by foreign companies for logging, despite them being deemed illegal years ago.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said there had been abuses of the nation's forest cover - approximately 80 percent of Papua New Guinea (PNG) - in the past, however authorities are taking steps to implement sustainable practices.

"This includes moving towards the end of round log exports," O'Neill said in his welcoming address on Tuesday, which by law will cease by 2020.

Papua New Guinea is the world's largest exporter of tropical logs, worth approximately 365 million U.S. dollars in 2014, though suffers one of the highest rates of illegal logging - approximately one-third from SABLs in 2014 - while government corruption is reportedly widespread.

PNG will host the APEC leaders summit in 2018.

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