2.1.
Status of negotiation on the establishment of ad hoc expert
groups
UNFF2 deliberations on the establishment of ad hoc expert
groups ended inconclusively in the form of a bracketed
negotiation text. Accordingly, the Forum decided to further
discuss the bracketed text from UNFF2 on the titles,
composition, terms of reference, scheduling and reporting
of the ad hoc expert groups at its third session (Decision
2/2). Considering the sensitivity of the issues involved,
the Bureau noted that it did not have much flexibility
to undertake any consultative activities prior to UNFF3. The Bureau was of the view that some country-led initiatives
may facilitate the clarification of the issues to be considered
by the Expert Groups as well as to provide opportunities
for informal consultations among countries. The Bureau
agreed to draw countries’ attention to the possible
role of such initiatives.
2.2.
Format of voluntary reporting to UNFF3
UNFF2, by its Decision 2/1, requested the Secretariat to suggest
a format to serve as a basis for countries to use and
report on their implementation of the relevant IPF/IFF
proposals for action for UNFF3. Information from such
country reporting should be important inputs in preparing
official documents for UNFF3.
The
Bureau advised the Secretariat to develop a simple and
practical format taking into consideration the experiences
of CSD, CBD and other CPF members, with a goal of having
reports that are straightforward, concise and relevant
to the substantive issues of the third session and subsequent
sessions and considering, if feasible, the criteria for
review in Resolution 2/3. It also encouraged the Secretariat
to work closely with the CBD Secretariat to coordinate
reporting on forests under UNFF and CBD, as has been called
for by COP 6 of CBD.
2.3.
Concepts, terminology and definitions
UNFF2, by its Resolution 2/2E, requested CPF members to expedite
their work on concepts, terminology and definitions regarding
low forest cover, and to submit a progress report at UNFF3 on their efforts to foster a common understanding of
concepts, terminology, and definitions related to sustainable
forest management (SFM) in general.
The
Bureau noted the information, provided by the Secretariat,
on a number of planned meetings, involving several CPF
members, related to concepts, terminology and definitions.
The Bureau looked forward to receiving the progress report
to be presented by CPF at UNFF3.
2.4.
Specific criteria for the review of the effectiveness
of the international arrangement on forests at the fifth
session
In
Resolution 2/3, UNFF invited the UNFF Secretariat, in
cooperation with CPF and taking into account the work
of the ad hoc expert groups, to gather baseline information
relevant to the specific criteria and to identify and
propose to the fourth session of the Forum a process to
facilitate the carrying out of the review of the effectiveness
of the international arrangement on forests at the fifth
session of UNFF. The resolution also invited countries,
CPF and other processes as well as major groups to provide
quantifiable benchmarks for review.
The
Bureau advised the Secretariat to initiate preliminary
work on this resolution. Considering the decision of UNFF2 noted in section 2.1 above, the Bureau advised that
the work to be initiated by the Secretariat on the Resolution
2/3 should be preliminary in nature.
2.5.
Preparations for WSSD
Considering
the significance of the Johannesburg Summit and the UNFF
input to it in the form of Ministerial Declaration from
UNFF2, the Bureau noted the importance of the upcoming
ministerial-level fourth Prepcom in Bali, Indonesia. Mr.
Meybodi and Mr. Ainchil will be attending the PrepCom
meeting and they will make efforts to provide appropriate
visibility to “forest” aspects of sustainable
development in the final text coming out of Bali.
The
Bureau agreed to use its regional network to draw the
attention of countries to the forthcoming Prepcom meeting.
