ANNEX XISupplementary provisions
ANNEX XI FUNCTIONS OF THE JOINT AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE The Joint Agreement Implementation Committee is responsible for managing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and monitoring and assessing its implementation. Its responsibilities include the following in particular: (a) in relation to management of the VPA, — publishing an annual report on the implementation of the VPA, in accordance with Annex X of the VPA, — examining and implementing appropriate solutions to any problem identified by one of the Parties; resolving any dispute that may arise in the event of a difference of opinion between the Parties, in accordance with Article 24 of the VPA, — proposing and/or taking any measure to improve performance of the VPA, — taking responsibility for amending the annexes to the VPA, in accordance with Article 26 of the VPA; (b) in relation to the monitoring and assessment of the VPA, — carrying out regular inspections, with the participation of all of the parties concerned, to verify the effectiveness of the VPA and its impact, — assessing the social, economic and environmental impacts of this VPA, in accordance with good practice and criteria to be examined and adopted by the Parties, and taking any measures necessary to resolve any problems that are identified during this assessment, — ensuring that regular assessments of the implementation of the VPA are carried out, including spot checks if applicable, — monitoring and analysing the periodic reports on the market situation and having studies carried out in this area; monitoring the implementation of recommendations made after approval, — identifying any difficulties that may be associated with implementing the VPA and suggesting and/or taking suitable measures to overcome them; (c) in relation to the independent audit, — approving the independent auditor’s procedural manual, in accordance with Annex VI, — examining the reports drawn up by the independent auditor and deciding on their publication and the way in which they should be made available to the public, in accordance with Annex VI, — looking into any complaint regarding the functioning of the FLEGT licensing scheme in the territory of either party, — deciding on, then monitoring, if applicable, the measures taken or action to be taken to resolve problems identified by the independent auditor, — informing the independent auditor about this action taken and any details relating to the LVS or the audit, — looking into complaints relating to work carried out by the independent auditor; (d) in relation to the involvement of other players in management of the VPA, — drawing up recommendations, if applicable, on the need to increase capabilities and on the participation of the private sector and civil society in monitoring compliance with legislation and regulations relating to forest management in Congo, — taking appropriate measures to promote the participation of civil society organisations and other interested groups in implementing the VPA.