The export of timber from Ghana to the European Union (EU), including key markets like Germany, under the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license marks a monumental achievement and a major turning point in global sustainable forestry.
The Historic Milestone
In August 2025, Ghana officially launched its FLEGT licensing system, becoming the first country in Africa and only the second globally, after Indonesia, to issue these internationally recognized licenses. This milestone is the culmination of a 16-year commitment following the signing of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU in 2009.
The FLEGT license certifies that timber and timber-related products are harvested, processed, and exported in full compliance with Ghana’s national laws and its Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS). This system provides a robust mechanism to track wood from the forest to the point of export, ensuring full legality and traceability.
Significance for Ghana
Market Access and Economic Benefits: FLEGT-licensed timber automatically complies with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and is exempted from the due diligence checks required of non-licensed timber. This „green lane“ access guarantees seamless entry into the EU’s market of 450 million consumers, strengthening Ghana’s position as a reliable and ethical trading partner. Initial shipments were directed to countries including Italy, Estonia, and Germany—a historically significant importer of Ghanaian wood.
Strengthening Governance: The process has driven profound reforms in Ghana’s forestry sector, including the revision of forestry laws, the ratification of 131 Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs) by Parliament, and enhanced collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Combating Illegal Logging: The rigorous new system is a powerful tool against illegal logging and trade, ensuring that the country’s valuable forest resources are managed sustainably. Government officials have publicly issued warnings to illegal miners and loggers, signaling a zero-tolerance policy backed by the new traceability system.
Significance for the EU and Germany
Pioneering Sustainability: The move reinforces the EU’s commitment to combating global deforestation and illegal logging. By importing FLEGT-certified wood, EU member states, particularly Germany, can confidently source timber that meets the highest environmental and ethical standards.
Preparation for EUDR: The FLEGT license also positions Ghana favorably for future compliance with the stricter EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), affirming its status as a „low-risk“ supplier and minimizing bureaucratic hurdles for European importers.
September 16, 2025
With Hannover Messe 2026 less than a year away, anticipation is building for Brazil’s role as the official Partner Country of the world’s leading industrial trade fair. First announced in 2024, the partnership is now moving into the spotlight as Germany and Brazil prepare to showcase a shared agenda of industrial transformation, renewable energy, and digitization.
The partnership is more than symbolic. It signals Berlin’s growing commitment to deepen economic and political ties with Latin America at a time when Europe is actively seeking diversified supply chains, sustainable resources, and new trade alliances. Brazil’s leadership in renewable energy, bioeconomy, and advanced manufacturing makes it a key partner in shaping a green and resilient industrial future.
For Berlin’s diplomatic community, Hannover Messe 2026 is not just a business fair it’s a stage for global economic diplomacy, where innovation meets policy, and where Brazil’s growing role as a strategic partner for Germany and Europe will be on full display.
The German Bundestag has finalized the leadership of its international parliamentary friendship groups, key forums for maintaining dialogue with foreign legislatures. The new appointments, agreed upon by all parliamentary factions, are seen as an important signal for Germany’s approach to bilateral relations in the coming legislative period.
According to information obtained by Deutschlandfunk, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group will now chair several high-profile committees, including the German-French, German-Polish, and German-American parliamentary groups — a move likely to strengthen cooperation with Berlin’s most influential allies.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) will lead the German-Israeli and German-British groups, reflecting the party’s emphasis on historical responsibility and transatlantic engagement.
In a move drawing attention both at home and abroad, the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) will preside over the German-Chinese, German-Indian, and German-Austrian groups. These assignments come at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and ongoing debates in Berlin about how to balance economic interests with democratic values in relations with Beijing and New Delhi.
Parliamentary friendship groups are cross-party bodies that facilitate informal diplomacy, foster dialogue, and deepen mutual understanding between Germany and partner countries. Their activities often include delegation visits, policy discussions, and cultural exchanges.
The new chairs will be expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Germany’s parliamentary diplomacy a quiet but influential part of the country’s foreign policy machinery. Diplomats, lobbyists, and international observers will be watching closely how these groups navigate a rapidly shifting global order.
The Japanese Ambassador to Germany, Mitsuko Shino, recently visited the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) to discuss crucial issues at the intersection of demographics, skilled labor, and German–Japanese cooperation.
During her visit, Ambassador Shino emphasized the importance of fostering bilateral collaboration to address mutual challenges posed by aging populations and evolving labor markets. She also highlighted Japan’s commitment to supporting Germany’s strategic priorities in employment policy and workforce integration.
The visit signals a deepening of ties between the two countries beyond traditional economic diplomacy focusing instead on shared social and demographic strategies. Discussions covered potential cooperation in areas such as professional training exchange, worker qualification programs, and long-term strategies to ensure economic sustainability.
This high-level engagement underscores Japan’s role as a committed partner in German social policy and reflects growing interest in combining expertise to tackle demographic and labor-related challenges.
Monday, 21 July 2025
The Embassies of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg will once again join the Christopher Street Day Berlin parade, taking part with their own vehicle on Saturday, 26 July 2025. This year’s CSD carries the motto „Never Silent Again!“, standing in solidarity with the queer community and advocating for equal rights and visibility.
The parade is set to begin around midday at Leipziger Straße (near Spittelmarkt/Charlottenstraße) and will follow a route through central Berlin, ending at Urania.