Member States & Bureau
UNFF2 Meeting Summary - 2 August 2001

Aide Mémoire
Informal Consultations meeting on UNFF2
2 August 2001
UNFF Secretariat, DC-2 Building, New York

1. Bureau Matters

2. Information on the follow-up of the UNFF1 decisions

3. Preparation for the second session of the UNFF

4. Future meetings and consultation process

5. Other matters

Annex 1: List of Participants in the Informal Consultation

Annex 2: Agenda of the Informal Consultation of UNFF2

Annex 3: Note on the Preparation of Documentation and Organization of Work for UNFF Second Session

Annex 4: Proposed List of Documents for UNFF2

Annex 5: List of the UNFF2 Bureau members and contact person in New York

1. Bureau Matters

1.1 Membership

Jag Maini, UNFF Secretariat, informed the meeting that the Asian Regional Group had nominated Mr. Hossein Moeini Meybodi (Iran) for the UNFF2 Bureau. Therefore, the Bureau for the second session is now complete. A list of the Bureau members with their contact information has been updated and provided in Annex 5.

1.2 Chairmanship

The need to elect the Chairman of UNFF2 Bureau was informally discussed. Several participants expressed their preference for an experienced Bureau member, who has been long involved in intergovernmental forest policy deliberations as well as knowledgeable of substantive forest issues, and has appropriate senior rank. Some participants also suggested that, customarily, the UNFF2 Bureau Chairman should come from the North, since the previous Chairman was from the South. The Bureau members would further consult among themselves and with respective Regions during the course of this month. It was suggested that the new Chairman should be identified before the formal meeting of the Bureau, which has been tentatively proposed for at the end of August or in mid September 2001.

Mr. Anaedu, Nigeria, agreed to facilitate consultations with other Bureau members in order to identify the new Chairman. It was noted that the Chairman of UNFF2 would be elected formally at the opening plenary of UNFF2.

2. Information on the follow-up of the UNFF1 decisions

The Secretariat informed the meeting that letters were under preparation from Mr. Nitin Desai, Under-Secretary General, to Governments, highlighting important follow-up actions, which need to be taken at the national levels in accordance with the UNFF1 decisions. Such actions included:

• Alerting countries about the high-level ministerial segment and the dialogue between the Ministers and the Executive Heads of the CPF organizations;
• Requesting the appointment of the national focal points for UNFF matters;
• Requesting voluntary country reports on implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action and related experiences; and
• Requesting suggestions on intersessional sessions on the establishment of expert groups, prior to UNFF2, in Costa Rica.

3. Preparation for the second session of the UNFF

3.1 Host country agreement

The Secretariat briefed the meeting about the status of the host country agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Costa Rica. The agreement, drafted by DESA, with the assistance of the Secretariat, was being reviewed by the Legal Office of the UN. An estimate of the cost, to be incurred by the host country, would be provided by the Executive Office of DESA in the near future.

The Secretariat also informed that the UN would be sending a letter to the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, concerning the host country agreement, including a proposal of possible dates for the UN planning missions to Costa Rica. Ms June Chesney, ECOSOC Secretariat, informed that planning missions were a standard practice when UN official meetings were held on non-UN premises, and undertaken and coordinated by approximately 6 different UN departments.

3.2 High-level ministerial segment and CPF Dialogue

The participants discussed some general issues concerning the high-level segment, scheduled for at the second session. They reiterated that the second session would provide a significant opportunity to contribute to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The participants noted the significance of the timing and the type of message, which should be transmitted to the WSSD process. Jag Maini noted that the message maybe in the form of a ministerial communiqué or a declaration, highlighting the present state of forests worldwide, the progress being made towards SFM, the affirmation of political commitment to implement UNFF’s Plan of Action and to address major challenges ahead.

Several participants indicated a preference for the title of such a message as an “input” that should be communicated to WSSD, rather than as “Declaration”. However, some participants felt that Ministers would come to the UNFF2 to declare their commitments to country-level goals and strategies for implementing IPF/IFF Proposals for Action, and therefore, they might wish to express their political commitments and inputs to WSSD through a short document.

All participants agreed that this is a politically significant aspect of UNFF2. It was highly recommended that this item be reviewed at the forthcoming Bureau meeting. Further discussions should focus on the substance, as well as the possible “name tag” to such Ministerial message. The Secretariat would prepare a proposal on this matter for the consideration of the Bureau.

3.3 Intersessional Work: Informal Consultation

At UNFF1, it was decided that “the specific titles, composition, terms of reference, scheduling and reporting of these ad hoc expert groups will be endorsed at the second session of the Forum, following adoption during open-ended informal consultations in San José prior to the opening of the session”. (Para D. 4 of MYPOW Decision.)

The Secretariat informed that in light of this decision, informal consultations have been scheduled and incorporated in the host country agreement, to take place for 2 days, in Costa Rica, prior to the UNFF2 session. Some participants suggested that additional informal consultations might be required, possibly in New York or at other venues, in conjunction with forest-related meetings.

However, some participants felt that it may be counterproductive to convene the informals in New York since there were unfavourable reactions on this matter during UNFF1, primarily due to the difficultly in bringing experts from capitals to attend an informal meeting in New York. Many participants expressed the importance of having wider rather than limited participation in the informal consultations, and suggested the need to consider another venue. The Secretariat agreed to look through the UNFF calendar of events and propose another alternate and feasible venue for possible informal consultations.

3.4 Documentation

The UNFF Secretariat introduced a Note on the preparation of documentation and organisation of work (see Annex 3) and a proposed list of documents for the second session of UNFF (see Annex 4). The Note and the list provided an approach to integrate, in a simpler manner, the Elements for UNFF2, the Common Items and progress in implementation listed in the adopted Provisional Agenda for UNFF2. The Secretariat explained its rational in proposing such approach, including the proposed documentation (topics, number and scope of documents, as well as a draft outline for the preparation of the Secretary General Reports), a tentative organisation of work and a proposed scheduling for the second session.

It was stressed that the “Common Items” and “Means of Implementation” should contribute to and be integrated within individual Elements for UNFF2, making the work more focused and easier to manage, without overburdening the agenda. With regard to the list of SG’s Reports, it was suggested to have separate SG Reports for all five Elements. However, the Secretariat suggested that some merging might be needed to consolidate the work and to make best use of the very limited time available for UNFF2. The Secretariat also noted that the opening Plenary, the Multi-stakeholder Dialogue, the Ministerial Segment and the Ministerial Dialogue with Heads of CPF member organizations will possibly require 3 out of the 10 days of the UNFF2.

A revised draft Note on the preparation of documentation and organization of work for UNFF2 will be prepared by the Secretariat, after the meeting of the CPF member organizations, to be held in Rome (6-7 August 2001) and will be made available for the next meeting.

4. Future meetings and consultation process

In view of a number of meetings in other fora that were scheduled for in the beginning of September, the participants suggested that the formal Bureau meeting should be convened either at the end of August or in mid September. The UNFF Secretariat would provide the participants and all the Bureau members with an updated calendar of events, maintained by the Secretariat, to facilitate in planning of the future Bureau meetings and informal consultations. During August the Secretariat would receive tentative dates and suggestions on the location for the next Bureau meeting from the Bureau members.

It was also suggested that at least two formal Bureau meetings should be convened prior to the session in Costa Rica.

5. Other matters

The Secretariat informed on the upcoming CPF meeting, 6-7 August, in Rome. Among the key agenda items, the CPF members will discuss the CPF work plan and consider other proposed activities of the CPF in support of the UNFF.

The Secretariat also informed on two proposed country-led initiatives on Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting. The first will be held in November 2001, organised by the Government of Japan, and the second, organized by USA, UK and possibly other partners, in December 2001, at FAO meeting facilities in Rome.

List of Participants in the Informal Consultation
(2 August 2001)

Ms. Ana Patricia Chaves, UNFF2 Bureau Member (Costa Rica)
Mr. Hossein Moeini Meybodi, UNFF2 Bureau Member (Iran)
Mr. Ositadinma Anaedu, UNFF2 Bureau Member (Nigeria)
Mr. Geir Tønnessen, Contact Person (Norway)
Mr. Dimitry Maksimychev¹, Contact Person (Russian Federation)
Dr. Jag Maini, UNFF Secretariat
Dr. Jaime Hurtubia, UNFF Secretariat
Ms. Catalina Santamaria, UNFF Secretariat
Ms. Mia Söderlund, UNFF Secretariat
Ms. June Chesney, ECOSOC Secretariat

1 Mr. Maksimychev was represented by a member of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation.

Annex 2

Agenda of the Informal Consultation of UNFF2
Thursday, 2 August 2001, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Conference Room, 22nd Floor

1. Bureau matters

3.1 Membership
3.2 Chairmanship

2. Information on the follow-up of the UNFF1 decisions

2.1 Letters to Governments from DESA

3. Preparation for the second session of the UNFF

3.1 Host country agreement
3.2 High-level ministerial segment
3.3 Informal consultations on “Intersessional Work” in Costa Rica, prior to UNFF2
3.4 Documentation

4. Future meetings and consultation process

4.1 Dates for future UNFF2 Bureau Meeting

5. Other matters

Annex 3

Note on the Preparation of Documentation and Organization of Work for UNFF Second Session
(Working Draft, 31 July 2001)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Main Issues and Documentation
3. Example: Draft outline for Secretary General report on progress in implementation
4. Proposed Organization of Work
5. Proposed scheduling of the Organisation of Work for the second session of the UNFF
Annex I: Provisional Agenda for UNFF2

1. Introduction

The purpose of this Note is to initiate the organization of work for the second session of the UNFF according to the adopted Provisional Agenda. (Annex I).

The approved Provisional Agenda for UNFF2 contains 9 Agenda Items. Some of them include a long list of sub-items. Agenda Item 3: Implementation of the proposals for action of the IPF/IFF and the Plan of Action of the UNFF, has 6 sub-items all of them dealing with implementation. Agenda item 4: Common items for each session, has 10 sub-items, which deal with various principal functions of the UNFF, such as: (i) policy implementation (national forest programmes, emerging issues relevant to country implementation, etc; (ii) policy development (trade, intersessional work, etc); (iii) policy coordination (enhanced cooperation and coordination, etc); and, (iv) other issues (multi-stakeholder dialogues).

Out of the 9 items within the approved Agenda for UNFF2, Agenda Items 3 and 4, contain a total of 16 sub-items for substantive discussions, deliberations, negotiations and adoption of decisions to be undertaken during UNFF2. The structure proposed in this Note is an attempt to deal with these sub-items in an integrated manner in view of the limited period of time available during the second session of the UNFF.

Section 2 identifies the main issues and suggests a preliminary list of documents to support the deliberations of the sixteen sub-items. Section 3 presents an example of a proposed draft outline for one of the Reports of the Secretary General on Progress in Implementation (Agenda Item 3.b).

Section 4 suggests the Organization of Work for UNFF2, including the Plenary sessions and the two Working Groups sessions. It is proposed that Working Group I deal with Policy Implementation and Coordination Issues and Working Group II with Policy Development Issues. References are made to possible outputs, as draft decisions, from the Plenary and each Working Group. The scheduling of the proposed organization of work for the second session of the UNFF is presented in section 5.

back to Annex 3 Table of Contents

3. Example: Draft outline for Secretary General report on progress in implementation

Title: SG Report on Combating deforestation and forest degradation, and on rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands, and the promotion of natural and planted forests

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Progress in implementation

3.1 Combating deforestation and forest degradation

a. Country experiences and lesson learned
b. Emerging issues relevant to country implementation
c. Promoting public participation
d. Enabling environment

3.2 Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands, and the promotion of natural and planted forests

a. Country experiences and lesson learned
b. Emerging issues relevant to country implementation
c. Promoting public participation
d. Enabling environment

4. Means of implementation

4.1. Finance

4.2. Transfer of environmentally sound technologies

4.3. Capacity building

5. Conclusions

6. Proposed action by UNFF second session

back to Annex 3 Table of Contents

1. Election of officers.

2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.

3. Implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests/Intergovernmental Forum on Forests and the Plan of Action of the United Nations Forum on Forests:

(a) Means of implementation: finance, transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building for sustainable forest management;
(b) Progress in implementation:

(i) Combating deforestation and forest degradation;
(ii) Forest conservation and protection of unique types of forests and fragile ecosystems;
(iii) Rehabilitation and conservation strategies for countries with low forest cover;
(iv) Rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands and the promotion of natural and planted forests;
(v) Concepts, terminology and definitions.

4. Common items for each session:

(a) Multi-stakeholder dialogue;
(b) Enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination;
(c) Country experience and lessons;
(d) Emerging issues relevant to country implementation;
(e) Inter-sessional work;
(f) Monitoring, assessment and reporting;
(g) Promoting public participation;
(h) National forest programmes;
(i) Trade;
(j) Enabling environment.

5. High-level ministerial segment.

6. Ministerial dialogue with heads of member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

7. Date and venue for the third session of the Forum.

8. Provisional agenda for the third session of the Forum.

9. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its second session.

2 This annex is a part of the Note contained in Annex 3.

back to Annex 3 Table of Contents

Annex 4

Proposed List of Documents for UNFF2
(Working Draft, 30 July 2001)

Annex 5

List of the UNFF2 Bureau members and contact person in New York