Peer Consultation Framework (PCF)

The ASEAN PCF in Forestry is a tool for regional learning based on mutual trust and commitment to shared principles by ASEAN national forestry agencies through the ASEAN’s ASOF mechanism. The ASEAN rational of „prosper thy neighbors” will help to improve Member Countries‘ policy making, adopt and adapt good practices to national circumstances, and enhances progressive compliance with internationally agreed forest principles. It is consistent with the ASEAN Vision 2020 and the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP), 2004-2010 and the Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) for the ASEAN Cooperation in Forestry, 2005-2010. Specifically, the ASEAN PCF in Forestry is intended to help raise the profile of forest policy issues and promote the identification and dissemination of good practices in sustainable forest management (SFM) in the ASEAN region.An ASEAN-PCF process is basically an assessment of one AMC’s practice by other AMCs. It relies profoundly on mutual trust and respect among the AMCs involved, while the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and distinguished chair persons also play an important role in facilitating the process.

The PCF centers on the creation of knowledge, learning and capacity building. Its objective is to support mutual learning among individual AMC and the ASEAN region, taken as a whole. It is conducted on a non-adversarial basis, relies on mutual trust and by this facilitates the exchange of ‘good practice’. The PCF provides an opportunity to decision-makers and managers to look at the experience of others. Learning exclusively from the own experience is less efficient than using the opportunity to learn from others in addition.