The National Forestry Institute (Infona) and Control Union Paraguay signed a cooperation agreement to expand training, responsible forest management and certification of Paraguayan forest products. The initiative seeks to facilitate compliance with international buyers’ requirements and create opportunities for the country’s production in foreign markets.
The agreement was signed during the 6th Expo Madera Paraguay 2026 and will be valid for one year, with the possibility of automatic renewal. The document establishes a framework for technical cooperation projects, the exchange of experience, professional training and the promotion of foreign trade, but it sets no export targets and guarantees no commercial contracts.
Infona President Cristina Goralewski said that coordination with the private sector is necessary to strengthen forestry policy. “It is essential to work with certifications and standards that adapt to the reality of forest plantations in Paraguay,” she said.
Control Union Paraguay Director Víctor Medina stressed the importance of producing more consistent information about forestry activity. The company is expected to provide training on international standards, certifications, FSC and carbon footprints, among other topics.
Infona will be responsible for providing technical and legal advice on forestry matters and connecting with local producers. The institutions plan to organize workshops, courses, training sessions and exchange activities for different participants in the production chain.
The agreement also provides for the possibility of internships for students from Infona’s Higher Technical Training Centers at Control Union Paraguay facilities, subject to availability and specific formalization.
The systems mentioned include FSC, as well as 2BSvs, ISCC and RTRS, along with standards for organic products. Control Union Paraguay is accredited by the National Accreditation Body (ONA), the Paraguayan entity responsible for recognizing the competence of conformity-assessment bodies.
In practice, certification can help companies demonstrate traceability and sustainable management practices, requirements that vary according to the buyer country and the product. The agreement, however, is a cooperation mechanism: obtaining each certificate will depend on audit processes and on producers and companies meeting the applicable criteria.