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This general objective gives rise to the following specific objectives:(1)   To increase knowledge of the diverse resources of the forestry sector, particularly those which can be exploited, taking into account: (i) the abundance of species;  their industrial value, and their exploitation potential; (ii) the abundance of non-timber forest  products and their properties, active ingredients, and appeal; and (iii) plant and animal biodiversity. This requires a forest;  -resource inventory which is as exhaustive as possible, using geomatics and satellite observation (e.g., the AGEOS project, which seeks to obtain regular satellite photos to monitor forest; evolution; on-the-ground inventory of the forest;  using GPS). This exhaustive on-the-ground inventory will also make it possible to take stock of the various types of forest  exploitation, forest  populations, forestry companies, and forest  activities. The objective is to determine the economic value of the forest;  (i.e., the number and value of wood y species;  of non-timber forest  products (NTFPs), and of the flora and fauna ). The issuance of logging permits, carried out through a tendering process, will thus be based on the knowledge and value of the forest's resources . This economic value is added to the forest's value as a carbon sink, which is ensured by widespread sustainable management of forests and protected areas.

To combat illegal forest  practices in order to protect forestry resources and ensure unhindered access of Gabonese wood to the European Union (EU) and other international markets.

4.38. The 2001 Forestry Code is the main instrument for the regulation of forestry in Gabon. It is implemented by the Ministry responsible for forests. The Code establishes as its objective the sustainable management of water resources and forests, fauna and flora; Gabon is a party to the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa.

4.39. Under the Forestry Code, there are three types of industrial logging permit, two of which are strictly reserved for Gabonese nationals. These are: the mutual agreement permit (PGG), with an annual logging limit of 50 trees, and the associated forestry permit (PFA), which covers a maximum area of 15,000 hectares. The third type of permit, the sustainable forest concession (CFAD), is a concession granted for large areas of forest (50,000 to 200,000 hectares), generally logged by foreign enterprises. The CFAD involves obligations in respect of forest management and local processing.

4.40. Since 2010, the Government has been introducing accompanying measures to support operators in the wood subsector. In addition to the proposal to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZ), Law No. 4/2010 of 9 February 2010 established a National Forest Fund (FFN). It finances operations aimed, inter alia, at forest regeneration, the promotion of the wood industry and the protection and conservation of fauna. According to the authorities, a CFAF 20 billion support fund has been set up under the FFN to expedite the industrialization of the wood subector.

The country's political authorities aim to develop a supply of drinking water and clean energy which is sustainable and competitive, and to eventually export surplus production.

In light of the country's commitments regarding green house gas reduction, priority is given to clean energy, particularly in isolated rural areas and areas outside interconnected networks, where the country plans to provide service through the development of solar technology, photovoltaic technology, and other new sources of energy, such as biomass and wind.

The country's electrical production will triple by 2016 thanks to its hydroelectric and gas potential; this will make it possible to cover all the country's energy needs with a supply which is competitive andsustainable and which creates jobs.

4.70. Gabon's hydroelectric potential is estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 MW. Once built, the Ivindo, Ngoulmendjim and Grand Poubara hydroelectric dams should enable surplus energy to be exported to the subregion.

4.85. Gabon implements the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It is also a member of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA), which deals with the implementation of various international conventions relating to security (SOLAS) and marine pollution (MARPOL), as well as of the recent International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).