From Parliament to Port:
Asia-Pacific Delegation explores the EUDR in Action
Brussels/Antwerp, April 20–24, 2025
A study tour turned reality check: in Brussels and Antwerp, delegates from Asia and the Pacific examined the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) in practice—from Parliament to port logistics.
Between ambition and friction, key lessons emerged …
Day 1 — From Introductions to Institutions
The journey began with an exchange of perspectives. Delegates from Southeast Asia and the Pacific gathered in Brussels, representing governments, producer organisations, and the private sector. Following initial introductions, the conversation quickly moved to substance.
Day 1 — From Introductions to Institutions
The journey began with an exchange of perspectives. Delegates from Southeast Asia and the Pacific gathered in Brussels, representing governments, producer organisations, and the private sector. Following initial introductions, the conversation quickly moved to substance.
My highlight was the exchange between Asia-Pacific countries and to build strong connections. Despite cultural differences, we share common goals and aim to comply, trade, and encourage investments.
My highlight was the exchange between Asia-Pacific countries and to build strong connections. Despite cultural differences, we share common goals and aim to comply, trade, and encourage investments.
Participants were introduced to the Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-Free Value Chains and to the EUDR framework to address initial questions and provide clarity.
Participants were introduced to the Team Europe Initiative on Deforestation-Free Value Chains and to the EUDR framework to address initial questions and provide clarity.
I believe this trip is important for closer cooperation. Europe represents the end user, while we are the producers. By understanding each other, we can improve joint sales. Building mutual trust is especially important.
I believe this trip is important for closer cooperation. Europe represents the end user, while we are the producers. By understanding each other, we can improve joint sales. Building mutual trust is especially important.
A guided tour of the European Parliament gave the delegates a deeper understanding of the European Union as a peace project and its core values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.
During the tour, they explored the EU’s decision-making structures and learned how legislation such as the EUDR is developed through institutional cooperation between the European Commission, the Parliament, and the Council. This enabled them to draw connections between these processes and the realities in their own countries
A guided tour of the European Parliament gave the delegates a deeper understanding of the European Union as a peace project and its core values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.
During the tour, they explored the EU’s decision-making structures and learned how legislation such as the EUDR is developed through institutional cooperation between the European Commission, the Parliament, and the Council. This enabled them to draw connections between these processes and the realities in their own countries
I have gained a clear understanding of how the European Parliament and the European Commission operate, particularly regarding their legal processes, jurisdiction, and the various steps within Parliament. We understand now how policies are proposed, discussed, and implemented.
I have gained a clear understanding of how the European Parliament and the European Commission operate, particularly regarding their legal processes, jurisdiction, and the various steps within Parliament. We understand now how policies are proposed, discussed, and implemented.
Day 2 — Where Trade Became Reality
The second day began with a guided tour of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the largest port in Europe by area, with close to six million square metres of warehouse space. The visit provided practical insight to the logistics of global supply chains, how EU-traders operate and how commodities enter the EU market.
Day 2 — Where Trade Became Reality
The second day began with a guided tour of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the largest port in Europe by area, with close to six million square metres of warehouse space. The visit provided practical insight to the logistics of global supply chains, how EU-traders operate and how commodities enter the EU market.
My highlight was visiting Antwerp port, which opened my eyes. I gained deeper understanding, because news and reports cannot replace seeing the real situation on site.
My highlight was visiting Antwerp port, which opened my eyes. I gained deeper understanding, because news and reports cannot replace seeing the real situation on site.
During a subsequent visit to the customs authority, delegates learned when the EUDR applies—namely to goods released for free circulation—and how responsibilities are divided between customs authorities and the competent authority.
During a subsequent visit to the customs authority, delegates learned when the EUDR applies—namely to goods released for free circulation—and how responsibilities are divided between customs authorities and the competent authority.
I learned a lot about EUDR requirements, especially technical aspects like traceability and risk assessment. I gained insights into due diligence processes and realized there is broad support and growing clarity.
I learned a lot about EUDR requirements, especially technical aspects like traceability and risk assessment. I gained insights into due diligence processes and realized there is broad support and growing clarity.
Day 3 — From National Realities to a Shared Framework
After gaining insights into European policymaking and trade operations, the focus shifted to aligning perspectives. The Multistakeholder Dialogue opened with “The Producers’ View”, where delegates presented the state of EUDR preparedness and situations in their countries and sectors. The presentations highlighted robust national legislative frameworks, growing traceability systems, and a strong economic motivation to maintain access to the EU market.
Day 3 — From National Realities to a Shared Framework
After gaining insights into European policymaking and trade operations, the focus shifted to aligning perspectives. The Multistakeholder Dialogue opened with “The Producers’ View”, where delegates presented the state of EUDR preparedness and situations in their countries and sectors. The presentations highlighted robust national legislative frameworks, growing traceability systems, and a strong economic motivation to maintain access to the EU market.
My highlight was the participation of all stakeholders. EU representatives, competent authorities, and private sector actors joined the sessions. This enabled a genuine multi-stakeholder dialogue and was very helpful.
My highlight was the participation of all stakeholders. EU representatives, competent authorities, and private sector actors joined the sessions. This enabled a genuine multi-stakeholder dialogue and was very helpful.
In “The Regulator’s View”, representatives of the European Commission outlined recent developments of the EUDR, including the current s implification process, the TRACES information system, and the EU Forest Observatory maps.
In “The Regulator’s View”, representatives of the European Commission outlined recent developments of the EUDR, including the current s implification process, the TRACES information system, and the EU Forest Observatory maps.
The EU engaged actively, clarified the regulation, and defined expectations. We now have a better understanding and can report this to the states in Malaysia.
The EU engaged actively, clarified the regulation, and defined expectations. We now have a better understanding and can report this to the states in Malaysia.
Building on the information presented, “The Enforcement’s View” provided a practical perspective on the operationalisation of the regulation.
Building on the information presented, “The Enforcement’s View” provided a practical perspective on the operationalisation of the regulation.
National Competent Authorities from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands presented their approaches on control mechanisms for due diligence statements, shared experiences from pilot exercises of “EUDR- Dry Runs”, and addressed remaining questions in an open Q&A.
National Competent Authorities from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands presented their approaches on control mechanisms for due diligence statements, shared experiences from pilot exercises of “EUDR- Dry Runs”, and addressed remaining questions in an open Q&A.
Day 4 — From Requirements to Solutions
The final day shifted the focus from understanding requirements to exploring practical mechanisms for implementation.
In “The Company’s View”, European frontrunner companies outlined how they are preparing for the EUDR and what this implied for business processes, market adaptation, and relationships with suppliers. The session highlighted both progress made and ongoing operational challenges, followed by an open Q&A.
Day 4 — From Requirements to Solutions
The final day shifted the focus from understanding requirements to exploring practical mechanisms for implementation.
In “The Company’s View”, European frontrunner companies outlined how they are preparing for the EUDR and what this implied for business processes, market adaptation, and relationships with suppliers. The session highlighted both progress made and ongoing operational challenges, followed by an open Q&A.
I am privileged to be here, as this visit strengthens EUDR advocacy in Papua New Guinea. I want to bring back the message that inclusion for smallholder farmers for compliance is possible through strong partnership.
I am privileged to be here, as this visit strengthens EUDR advocacy in Papua New Guinea. I want to bring back the message that inclusion for smallholder farmers for compliance is possible through strong partnership.
A fishbowl discussion on “Turning Compliance into Impact” further reflected on these experiences. Participants discussed implications for supply chain responsibility and pointed to key challenges, including geolocation coverage, data complexity and governance and fragmented systems, as well as the need for clearer guidance and alignment.
A fishbowl discussion on “Turning Compliance into Impact” further reflected on these experiences. Participants discussed implications for supply chain responsibility and pointed to key challenges, including geolocation coverage, data complexity and governance and fragmented systems, as well as the need for clearer guidance and alignment.
I value this event because it connects partners from private, government, and international organizations. We can share concerns openly and better understand the regulation through discussion. In the last few days, many of our questions have been answered.
I value this event because it connects partners from private, government, and international organizations. We can share concerns openly and better understand the regulation through discussion. In the last few days, many of our questions have been answered.
Parallel breakout sessions then focused on practical solutions, covering legality risk assessment, smallholder inclusion, and transparent, interoperable traceability systems.
Parallel breakout sessions then focused on practical solutions, covering legality risk assessment, smallholder inclusion, and transparent, interoperable traceability systems.
Taken together, the discussions underscored the importance of sustained dialogue, transparency, and coordinated action between the EU and partner countries. While significant progress in EUDR preparedness is evident, the complexity of implementation—particularly where regulatory requirements meet global trade realities—remains a central challenge that will require continued alignment, investment, and international cooperation.
Taken together, the discussions underscored the importance of sustained dialogue, transparency, and coordinated action between the EU and partner countries. While significant progress in EUDR preparedness is evident, the complexity of implementation—particularly where regulatory requirements meet global trade realities—remains a central challenge that will require continued alignment, investment, and international cooperation.
All pictures © GIZ/Javier Bernal
