The G8 Illegal Logging Dialogue is designed to operate outside formal international negotiations and will draw together senior legislators, timber industry executives, civil society organisations and opinion leaders from the G8, China, India and other key timber producing countries.
Mr Gardiner, who launched the Dialogue in Singapore, said illegal logging was complex and could not be tackled unilaterally. He called for more communication, learning and advocacy to maintain momentum for change.
“I look forward to the UK being a significant contributor to this new dialogue,” said Mr Gardiner. “While the UK’s presidencies of the EU and G8 made considerable process in agreeing the need for both producer and consumer country action, we must keep up the pressure to turn statements into action.”
He said UK policy had influenced markets and the standards of some timber certification bodies.
“However, only a minority of countries have taken steps to introduce public procurement policies and I would like to see that change,” he added.
The Dialogue is run by Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment and the Com+ Alliance of Communicators for Sustainable Development.
Key timber prodcuing countries involved include Cameroon, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Brazil.
The World Bank estimates that illegal logging costs the global lumber industry more than US$10bn a year, with government revenues suffering US$5bn losses.
