| United Nations |
E/CN.17/IFF/1998/14 |
Economic and Social Council
Distr. GENERAL
7 December 1998
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests on its second session
(Geneva, 24 August 4 September 1998)
Contents
Introduction
I. Promoting and facilitating the implementation of the proposals
for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests and reviewing,
monitoring and reporting on progress in the management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests (category I)
A. Promoting and facilitating implementation (programme element I.a)
B. Monitoring progress in implementation (programme element I.b)
II. Matters left pending and other issues arising from the programme
elements of the IPF process (category II)
A. Matters left pending on the need for financial resources (programme
element II.a)
B. Matters left pending on trade and environment (programme element II.b)
C. Matters left pending on the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies to support sustainable forest management (programme element
II.c)
D. Other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process
needing further clarification: underlying causes of deforestation;
traditional forest-related knowledge; forest conservation and protected
areas; and research priorities (programme element II.d (i))
E. Other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process
needing further clarification: valuation of forest goods and services;
economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure; future supply of and
demand for wood products and non-wood forest products; and
rehabilitation of forest cover (programme element II.d (ii))
F. Forest-related work of international and regional organizations and
under existing instruments (programme element II.e (i) and II.e (ii)
III. International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests
(category III)
IV. Other matters
V. Provisional agenda for the third session of the Forum
VI. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its second session
VII. Organizational and other matters
A. Opening and duration of the session
B. Election of officers
C. Agenda and organization of work
D. Attendance
E. Documentation
Annexes
I. Attendance
II. List of documents before the Forum at its second session
******************************************
Introduction
1. In accordance with the schedule of work of the Intergovernmental
Forum on Forests as endorsed by the Commission on Sustainable Development and the
Economic and Social Council, two types of discussions took place during the
second session of the Forum:
(a) The following programme elements were subjected to substantive
discussions:
I.a. Promoting and facilitating implementation
II.b. Matters left pending on trade and environment
II.c. Matters left pending on the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies to support sustainable forest management
II.e. Forest-related work of international and regional
organizations
Parts of the present report, of the Forum on its second session,
covering these programme elements will be reviewed, updated and, when necessary,
further negotiated during the third and fourth sessions of the Forum.
(b) The following programme elements were subjected only to
background discussions:
I.b. Monitoring progress in implementation
II.a. Matters left pending on the need for financial resources
II.d. Other issues arising from the programme elements of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) process needing
further clarification
III. International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the
management, conservation and sustainable development of all
types of forests
Accordingly, parts of this report covering these programme elements represent
Co-Chairmen's summaries of discussion, which were not negotiated and are intended
to facilitate substantive discussions during the third session of the Forum and
provide guidance to the United Nations Secretariat for the preparation of
documentation.
2. The Forum reiterated the understanding, reached at its first
session, that all categories of the programme of work included in the Forum's
mandate are open for discussion until the fourth session of the Forum
(E/CN.17/IFF/1997/4 and Corr.1, para. 9).
3. The Forum expressed its appreciation to the organizers of the
Six-country (Finland, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Uganda and the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) Initiative which had made an important
contribution to fostering progress in the implementation of the proposals for
action adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) as well as to the
deliberations of the Forum, particularly on programme element I.a. The report of
this International Expert Consultation, held in Baden-Baden, Germany, from 29
June to 3 July 1998, is entitled "Putting the IPF Proposals for Action into
Practice" (see E/CN.17/IFF/1998/12).
4. The Forum reiterated the provisions of paragraph 12 of the report of
its first session and welcomed the following initiatives which are expected to
provide a valuable expert input to its future deliberations:
(a) The non-governmental organizations/Costa Rica initiative
on programme element II.d (i): underlying causes of deforestation and forest
degradation, which is to include the organization of consultation processes at
the regional level, participation of indigenous people organizations, elaboration
of case studies and organization of a Global Workshop to be held in San Jose',
Costa Rica, 18 22 January 1999;
(b) The initiative of the Government of Australia for the
development of an in-depth study on forest conservation and protected areas to
provide general recommendations on forest conservation and protected areas
principles and practices, as well as identify various policy options applicable
to a range of circumstances in various countries and regions;
(c) International Experts Meeting on Protected Forest Areas
sponsored by the Governments of Brazil and the United States of America, to be
held, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 15 19 March 1999;
(d) International Expert Consultation on Research and
Information Systems in Forestry, sponsored by the Governments of Indonesia and
Austria, assisted by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the
International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to be held in Ort Gmunden,
Austria, 4 11 September 1998;
(e) The initiative of the Government of the Islamic Republic
of Iran to organize, in cooperation with other interested countries and
international organizations, an international meeting on the "Special Needs and
Requirements of the Developing Countries with Low Forest Cover";
(f) International Expert Meeting on the Role of Planted
Forests sponsored by the Governments of Chile, Denmark and Portugal, to take
place in Santiago, Chile, 22 26 February 1999;
(g) A "Study on the Global Outlook for Plantations"
sponsored by the Governments of Australia, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, New Zealand,
South Africa, the United Kingdom and FAO;
(h) The initiative of the Government of Brazil to organize,
in cooperation with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD), the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Forum
secretariat, a Seminar on Practical Trade-Related Aspects of Conservation,
Sustainable Management and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests
(Geneva, 23 25 February 1999);
(i) The initiative of the Governments of Costa Rica and
Canada on category III which will be carried out through a series of expert
meetings and regional consultations to take place in 1999 and 2000.
5. The Forum expressed its appreciation to Governments,
international organizations and non-governmental organizations that had organized
various side events and presentations during the session which provided for an
in-depth consideration of a number of important issues on the Forum's work
programme and enriched its deliberations.
6. The Forum expressed its appreciation to the Forum secretariat
as well as to organizations members of the informal, high-level Inter-Agency
Task Force on Forests for their important work and contributions in support of
its deliberations. In particular, the Forum noted with appreciation that advance
texts of all of the reports had been made available to the participants two
months in advance of the commencement of the second session. Nevertheless, the
Forum underscored the importance of timely issuance of all of the reports in all
official languages of the United Nations well in advance of the sessions, so that
they could be studied in the capitals and by technical experts, as appropriate.
7. The Forum expressed its appreciation to those Governments and
organizations that had made generous voluntary contributions in support of the
work of the Forum and of its secretariat. However, bearing in mind the fact that
the work of the secretariat solely depended on extrabudgetary resources, and
having considered information on the current state of contributions, the Forum
appealed to all interested Governments and organizations to give urgent
consideration to making additional voluntary contributions in order to enable the
secretariat to ensure high-quality preparations for future sessions.
I. Promoting and facilitating the implementation of the proposals for action
of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests and reviewing, monitoring and reporting
on progress in the management, conservation and sustainable development of all
types of forests (category I)
A. Promoting and facilitating implementation (programme element I.a)
Preliminary conclusions
1. The Forum welcomed the commitment, expressed by Governments, international
organizations and other partners, to the implementation of all the Forum's
proposals for action and noted with appreciation the many activities at the
national level initiated by countries, groups of countries and international
organizations. It noted the added attention given to the social and environmental
services provided by forests as well as the challenges to address these issues.
It emphasized the need for the effective involvement of relevant interested
parties, as well as the improvement of institutional arrangements and appropriate
ways and means of communication.
2. The Forum underscored the need for implementation of strategies in terms of
investment, mobilization of domestic and international resources and in the case
of developing countries, with special attention to least developed
countries and developing countries with low forest cover appropriate financial
mechanisms and/or measures including support through official development
assistance (ODA).
3. The Forum considered national forest programmes, as defined by IPF, to be a
viable framework for addressing forest sector issues, including implementation
of IPF's proposals for action in a holistic, comprehensive and multisectoral
manner. It took note of the national case studies prepared under the Six-country
Initiative of Finland, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Uganda and the United
Kingdom, as well as of the Baden-Baden workshop and its results. This initiative
was considered an important contribution to the assessment of IPF's proposals for
action at the national level, and for supporting implementation work at national
and subnational levels. The Initiative had recognized the diversity of national
conditions and interested parties in assessing the relevance and prioritization
of the proposals at the national level, and had also produced a useful
Practitioners Guide, which should be revised to facilitate assessment exercises.
In order to enhance the implementation of the proposals for action adopted by
IPF, the Forum identified the need for effective follow-up and long-term
commitment at all levels.
4. The Forum noted that the IPF's proposals for action were numerous and complex
and covered a wide range of important issues. The Forum recognized that
sustainable forest management was a long-term process and goal and countries
would not, within a limited time-frame, be able to show substantial progress in
capacity-building, policy development, planning processes and creation of
enabling and supporting infrastructure. The Forum underlined the need for
sustained efforts in implementing IPF's proposals.
5. The Forum recognized that IPF implementation by developing countries with low
forest cover merited special attention. It called on the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), as the lead agency for this programme element, to
expedite the development of a definition of low forest cover as contained in
IPF's proposals for action. It invited the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as
well as the relevant environmental conventions, including the Convention on
Biological Diversity (see note #1), the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (see note #2) and the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, particularly in Africa,(see note #3) and international financing
institutions to look into and reflect on the special needs of developing
countries with low forest cover, and called upon the informal, high-level
Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests to coordinate its work in supporting these
countries.
6. The Forum expressed support for the work carried out by the informal,
high-level Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests. It noted that the Task Force
had been and continued to be an effective means of support of the IPF/Forum
process and of informal inter-agency coordination on forests. In future, the work
of the Task Force should be strengthened and further developed.
7. The Forum took note of the continuing monitoring of the effects of airborne
pollutants on forests within member countries of the International Cooperative
Programme on Forests (ICP Forests), as well as the establishment of new protocols
dealing with nitrogen, heavy metals and persistent pollutants under the Geneva
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, (see note #4) as well as
the beginning of regional cooperation on a monitoring network on acid rain among
countries in Eastern Asia. It noted with appreciation the offer by some
countries to extend their cooperation to interested countries not presently
participating in international networks.
8. The Forum also took note of recent regional and international initiatives that
are supportive of implementation of the IPF proposals for action, including the
strengthening of the Sub-Network of Protected Areas of the Amazon, agreed by the
Ministers of Environment of the Parties to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, in
March 1998; recent developments within the framework of the Central American
Convention on Forests; the regional workshops on IPF implementation held in
Indonesia in February 1998, in Senegal in April 1998 and in Chile in June 1998,
under the auspices of the FAO Regional Forestry Commissions for Asia and the
Pacific, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean; the Ministerial Conference
on the Protection of Forests in Europe held in Portugal in July 1998; and the G-8
Forest Action Program endorsed by G-8 Heads of State in May 1998 in England (the
Group of Eight, or G-8, comprises the United States of America, Japan, Germany,
France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Russian Federation).
Important elements for the implementation of IPF's proposals for action
9. The Forum agreed that the following are particularly important for the
implementation of IPF's proposals for action:
(a) [Provision, taking into consideration the relevant chapters of Agenda 21
(see note #5) and paragraph 10 of the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement
of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and
Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests (Forest Principles),(see note #6)
by the international donor community, international organizations and
international financial institutions of new and additional resources, including
through innovative mechanisms and/or measures] to mobilize finance, technical
assistance and transfer of environmentally sound technology at the international
and domestic levels, as well as through better use of existing mechanisms and
measures, to support national forest programmes in developing countries, and
countries with economies in transition, in particular countries with low forest
cover and with fragile forest ecosystems;
(b) Promotion, where appropriate, of an integrated approach by countries
through their national forest programmes as defined by IPF, and in collaboration
with international organizations, to the implementation of the IPF proposals for
action and forest-related work as set out under the Convention on Biological
Diversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in
Africa, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
(c) Creation and/or strengthening, by countries and international
organizations, of initiatives, approaches and partnerships, which could include
partnership agreements, to encourage long-term political commitment; relevant,
effective, sustained and reliable donor support; and participation by the private
sector and major groups; as well asrecognition of the special role of official
development assistance (ODA) in meeting the needs of developing countries, in
particular least developed countries and countries with low forest cover;
(d) A systematic assessment, by all countries, of IPF's proposals for action
and planning for their implementation in the context of countries' own national
processes aimed at sustainable forest management;
(e) Implementation by countries of the IPF's proposals for action in the
context of their national forest programmes/national policy framework in a
coordinated manner and with the participation of all interested parties. Clear
objectives and criteria should help promote effective implementation of
sustainable forest management. The policy framework should be kept under review
in order to continue to embody capabilities for intersectoral planning,
coordination and implementation, and adequate resource allocation;
(f) Establishment, by each country, of a focal point to guide and coordinate
the implementation and assessment process of the IPF's proposals for action,
including the participation of all relevant interested parties;
(g) Further assistance by the international community to developing countries
and countries with economies in transition in implementing the IPF's proposals
for action as needed. National forest programmes could be used as a framework
for channelling development assistance for implementation. Such support is
particularly needed for capacity-building, and for creating participatory
mechanisms and innovative financing arrangements.
B. Monitoring progress in implementation (programme element I.b)
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussion
1. The Forum recognized that any data collected by countries to monitor progress
should primarily serve national needs. Thus, consideration may be given
to integrating monitoring, assessment and reporting activities into national
forest programmes.
2. Monitoring, data collection, assessment and reporting are costly endeavours
and require enhanced international cooperation and national capacity-building in
all countries, particularly developing countries.
3. The Forum noted that there are various aspects to data collection, monitoring,
assessment and reporting. One aspect relates to progress in implementation of the
IPF's proposals for action in terms of existing and new legislation, policies,
programmes and processes. The other aspect relates to assessing discernible
trends in the state of all types of forests based on national-level criteria and
indicators.
4. The format for long-term monitoring, assessment and reporting can be expected
to evolve in line with the development and implementation of criteria and
indicators of sustainable forest management at the national level developed in
the different regional and international initiatives. In due course, compatible
sets of criteria and a core set of indicators might become a useful tool
available to decision makers at all levels in the forest sector. Such an approach
would also facilitate mutual recognition of regional and global initiatives in
this respect. More immediately, the data generated by the Global Forest Resources
Assessment, coordinated by FAO in cooperation with other relevant organizations
and initiatives, will contribute to monitoring the state of all types of forests.
The Forum encouraged FAO and other relevant organizations and initiatives to
elaborate further elements of a reporting system, identifying and integrating the
reporting demands of all forest-related processes and instruments. Furthermore,
there should be effective feedback from international organizations to countries
on key issues.
5. In order to make optimal use of existing reporting mechanisms, efforts must
be made to streamline reporting structures so as to avoid duplication of efforts.
There is considerable scope for cooperation and coordination among FAO, ITTO, the
Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those
Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in
Africa, UNEP and the Commission on Sustainable Development for the sharing of
forest-related information and avoiding duplication in data collection. In
particular, the efforts to harmonize methodologies, definitions and measure
standards must be intensified. Furthermore, best use should be made of the
activities of the Inter-secretariat Working Group on Forest Statistics.
6. The third session of the Forum should consider options for reporting on
progress in the implementation of IPF proposals for action on the conservation,
management and sustainable development of all types of forests. Monitoring of the
progress in implementing the IPF proposals for action in the short term could be
accomplished through the voluntary system of national reporting to the Commission
on Sustainable Development, reflecting the Commission's multi-year programme of
work, which will include forests in the year 2000, and as part of the
comprehensive review of Agenda 21 in 2002, as well as the FAO survey that will
be undertaken by FAO in 1998 on countries' progress in implementing national
forest programmes. In this regard, the Forum also noted the suggestion of the
Valdiva Group for initial voluntary exchange of information. The Forum encouraged
countries to develop their own ways of organizing the monitoring of the
implementation of IPF's proposals for action. This could include their
implementation process and results, within the context of monitoring national
forest programmes.
II. Matters left pending and other issues arising from the
programme elements of the IPF process (category II)
A. Matters left pending on the need for financial resources
(programme element II.a)
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussion
1. The participants noted the following, in moving towards the
preparations for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) The issue of financial resources for sustainable forest
management is closely linked with the broader discussion of the key role which
financial resources and mechanisms play in the implementation of Agenda 21;
participants underscored the importance of the conclusions on financial
assistance contained in the report of IPF on its fourth session, as well as the
conclusions on financial resources and mechanisms contained in the Programme for
the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, adopted by the General Assembly at its
nineteenth special session,(see note #7) and of the Forest Principles, in
particular principle 10;
(b) The proposals for action of IPF on financial assistance to
support sustainable forest management should be fully implemented;
(c) The participants considered the role of various funding
sources domestic, external, public and private in achieving sustainable
forest management, as well as the recent trends in financial flows from various
sources to the forest sector;
(d) The participants felt, however, that reliable data on both
public and private financial flows and investments in the forest sector were
often difficult to obtain; some attributed this shortcoming both to complexities
in design and to a wide range of programmes that benefit forests, as well as
related difficulties in data collection and processing at the national and
international levels;
(e) The issue of subsidies was addressed; it was stressed that
subsidies that encourage unsustainable forestry and discourage investment in
sustainable forest management should be avoided. Further work in this area was
warranted and should be guided by the conclusions on subsidies contained in
paragraph 85 of the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21;
(f) Concerns were expressed that ODA, which constitutes
a major external source of funding for forestry in many developing countries, was
decreasing. It was felt that more ODA could be channelled into the forest sector
if an enabling environment was created. It was also suggested that, even within
existing levels, more ODA could be channelled into the forest sector if
sustainable forest management was given higher priority within national
development strategies;
(g) The participants considered the situation of
developing low forest cover countries, in particular those that are least
developed countries, and stressed that special attention should be given to the
need for international support for their afforestation for land rehabilitation,
reforestation and restoration of degraded forests and for sustainable management
of existing, often unique, forests programmes, which usually encounter
difficulties in attracting international funding;
(h) The need to further examine the potential innovative
financial mechanisms and schemes to mobilize resources for sustainable forest
management was expressed; among the innovative mechanisms mentioned were schemes
recognizing the contribution of forest owners in providing such environmental
services as carbon sequestration, preserving biological diversity and performing
watershed functions; channelling proceeds from ecotourism towards forest
conservation and sustainable forest management; and debt-for-nature swaps;
(i) The participants also stressed the importance
of the private sector in financing sustainable forest management; it was
suggested that private sector representatives be invited to participate in the
next session of the Forum;
(j) Participants expressed a range of views regarding
the desirability and practicality of establishing an international forest fund
for financing activities related to management, conservation and sustainable
development of all types of forests including the implementation of IPF proposals
for action. In this regard, the need for a comprehensive assessment of the
potential use of existing funds and financial mechanisms, both domestic and
international, for financing sustainable forest management programmes was
underscored.
2. As regards guidance for the Secretariat in preparing for the third
session of the Forum, the Forum requested the Forum Secretariat to:
(a) Update and evaluate the existing data on public and
private financial flows and investments from external sources, including ODA to
the forest sector in developing countries as well as domestic funding to
sustainable forest management in developing countries; this should take into
account the contribution of local communities to sustainable forest management.
It was suggested that countries provide data that would assist in synthesizing
financial information on the forest sector;
(b) Synthesize the experience of countries with
both traditional and innovative financial mechanisms in promoting sustainable
forest management. Countries were invited to make available their experiences on
innovative financial mechanisms;
(c) Cooperate with the secretariat of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change and report, as appropriate, on financial
aspects related to the role of forests as a carbon sink;
(d) Examine and identify areas in developing low forest
cover countries where assistance could be directed so as to best serve and
enhance their afforestation for land rehabilitation, reforestation and
restoration of degraded forests and for sustainable management of existing, often
unique, forests programmes;
(e) Synthesize current evaluations of GEF and
other international financial mechanisms as regards their potential for financing
sustainable forest management and to facilitate consideration by the Forum of (i)
desirability of further coordination of existing financial sources and mechanisms
and (ii) the proposed international forest fund.
B. Matters left pending on trade and environment (programme element II.b)
[Preliminary conclusions
[1. The main objectives of mutually supportive trade and environmental
policies [in relation to sustainable forest management/forest products and
services] are for all countries [to have an opportunity to] to achieve that trade
in forest products and services from sustainably managed forests, [and to use
trade as an incentive to promote sustainable forest management]. As trade and
environmental policies have their own objectives, there is a need to make them
mutually supportive towards achieving sustainable forest management. The needs
of developing countries for social and economic development [and environmental
protection] should be taken into account, in particular as regards poverty
alleviation.*1] (*1 It was proosed that this last sentence be added as a last
sentence of paragraph 3 of the present section)
OR
[[Sustainable forest management] [The achievement of [conservation,
management and sustainable development of all types of forests] [sustainable
forest management]] can be effectively promoted through mutually supportive trade
and environmental policies. As trade and environment policies have their own
objectives, decision makers, including trade partners, should [ensure that]
[implement] policies and actions [that] link trade of forest products and
services and sustainable forest management [; thus] [, while] [Governments should
also] [take into account the needs of developing countries for social and
economic development [and environmental protection], in particular in regard to
poverty alleviation.]*2] (*2 It was proposed that this last sentence be added
as a last sentence of paragraph 3 of this section)
OR
[The achievement of [conservation, management and sustainable
development of all types of forests] [sustainable forest management] can
effectively be promoted through mutually supportive trade and environment
policies. [As trade and environment policies have their own objectives, decision
makers, including trade partners, should implement policies and actions that
contribute to achieving trade in wood and non-wood forest products and services
from sustainably managed forests] [taking into account the needs of developing
countries for social and economic development and environmental protection in
particular in regards to poverty alleviation] [, in particular avoiding
policies that have adverse impacts on the management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests].]
2. The impacts that international trade in wood and non-wood forest
products have on sustainable forest management can be both positive and negative
and are largely influenced by accompanying environmental policies. These impacts
may extend beyond what is suggested by the relatively small share of these
products traded internationally. [Trade [can] add[s] value to the resource and
thereby possibilities for sustainable forest management, but this positive impact
may be constrained [when] [by lack of] market access in forest products [is
difficult]. On the other hand, unsustainable [logging and] utilization can
trigger various underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation. [Due
to] [To ensure] linkages between trade and environment, a holistic approach to
sustainable forest management and trade is needed. [Domestic policies are also
extremely important, and those that have an adverse impact on sustainable forest
management should be avoided.]]
OR [[Trade [liberalization] [adds value to the resource and] has the potential
to improve efficiency, resource allocation and economic returns, contributing to
poverty alleviation.] [Trade liberalization adds value to the resource and may
promote economic development, contribute to poverty alleviation and reduce
environmental degradation, provided that it is accompanied by sound environmental
and social policies.] On the other hand, trade in forest products and services
can trigger various underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation.
Due to uncertainty with regard to the effects of trade liberalization on forest
products and services, a holistic approach is needed in order to further analyse
linkages between forest-related trade and environment policies.]
3. [Provided it be accompanied by sound environmental policies,
trade liberalization,] [t]Trade liberalization [may] [can] promote economic
development, contribute to poverty alleviation [and reduce environmental
degradation] and, provided that it is [complemented] [accompanied] by sound
environmental [and social] policies, also [contribute to the reduction of]
[reduce] environmental degradation. [Thus while pursuing the benefits of trade
liberalization, Governments should [establish and implement appropriate] [[give]
[ensure] attention to appropriate] environmental policies.]
4. [While the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations has yielded
significant tariff reductions in forest products, [Governments' efforts should
continue to reduce and eliminate these tariffs]. Focus should also be given to
[subsidies and] non-tariff barriers to trade and their relationship with
sustainable forest management.] [While the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations has yielded significant tariff reductions in forest products,
Governments should continue their efforts to reduce and eliminate these tariffs.
[However], special attention should [also] be given to remaining and emerging
[non-tariff] barriers to trade of forest products and services, in particular
their impact on sustainable forest management.] In this context, both
economy-wide and forest sector effects of non-tariff measures [and subsidies]
should be addressed in order to allow the realization of the potential benefits
of trade liberalization. [The achievement of these benefits continues to be
constrained by tariff escalation in some forest products importer countries,
hampering the achievement of sustainable forest management of forest goods
exporter countries, in particular developing countries.] The potential impact [,
both positive and negative] of such trade regulations on sustainable forest
management needs to be further analysed, [.] [especially in the case of
developing countries [for whom trade policies are generally aimed] [aiming at]
at promoting further processing of forest products as part of national policies
to create employment and alleviate poverty.]
5. Trade measures [intended to promote sustainable forest management, including
unilateral ones,] should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable
discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. [[Free] trade
in forest products and services can support sustainable forest management
[because] [where] it gives value to the forest in [producing] [exporting]
countries. A better understanding by consumers in [consuming][importing]
countries of this potential relationship could help to [minimize] [promote
responsible] consumer [discrimination against] [choice in] the use of forest
products.] [Actions to restrict the use of forest products, including
tropical timber, by subnational governments in some importing countries, which
are depriving exporting countries of access to these market segments, should be
reviewed with regard to their effectiveness as measures to promote sustainable
forest management and consistency with international trade rules.]
6. The Forum [recognized] [confirmed] the potential role of voluntary
certification of forest management and labelling of forest products (C & L) as
[one of the] potential tools in promoting sustainable forest management and
differentiating products [sourced] [derived] from sustainably managed forests in
the market. [However, due to limited practical experience, conclusions on its
effectiveness cannot yet be reached.] Inappropriate application of such schemes
may, however [in some cases], lead to [unjustified] obstacles to market access
[, inter alia,] [to producers who are at a disadvantage in complying with the
requirements of obtaining certification]. [These can be compounded for
medium-sized forest owners as well as those of developing countries.] [In
particular,] [S] small and medium-sized forest owners and enterprises,
[especially in] [as well as those of] developing countries, may find it
excessively costly to implement C & L schemes. [The World Trade Organization
agreements and, in particular, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and
its Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of
Standards (see note #8) are useful references to ensure [that] [for] [the
transparency [and non-discrimination of]] C & L schemes [do not become disguised
barriers to trade].] [Proliferation of C & L schemes calls for further
cooperative work towards achieving their international comparability and
equivalency while recognizing the diversity of national situations. While
premature now, this work might eventually lead to mutual recognition between
schemes.]
7. Forest products [and their substitutes] [could] [should] be adequately valued
through full-cost internalization which in turn [would] influences [influence]
competitiveness of these products. In this context, countries should analyse and
implement, as appropriate, full-cost internalization strategies for forest
products and their substitutes. [These issues need to be further analysed.]
8. [Available studies carried out on the relative [full life-cycle analysis of
the environmental impacts] [[environmental] [compatibility] [imports]]
of [both] wood and [non-wood] [alternative materials] [forest] products suggest
that], [because [forests are a renewable resource,] [wood products may be]
[[forest products] [they] [can be] [may be]] preferable to their substitutes.
Further work on the full life-cycle [analysis and] environmental impacts of
forest products and their substitutes is needed.]
9. Increased market transparency is essential in order to [, inter alia,] improve
the market access of forest products and services [coming from sustainably
managed forests]. In this regard the role of the private sector is vital but
action is also needed by [countries] [Governments] and international
organizations. [conventions and other regional organizations.]
10. [The nature and extent of illegal [harvesting and related] [trade]
[activities] in wood and non-wood forest products, [including forest biological
resources,] is a serious concern due to [loss or] damage to ecosystems, loss of
biodiversity, lost revenue by Governments, forest owners [, indigenous people]
and local communities, and distortion of markets for forest products. Action at
[both] [the] international, regional and subregional [and] [or] national levels
is required to [bring illegal harvesting and] [eliminate illegal] trade,
[together with related corruption,] [under control]. [Addressing this issue is
critical for the successful implementation of sustainable forest management,
including assuring the livelihood of [forest dwellers] [indigenous people].]]
11. [Recent [experiences with] proposals [by] [within] the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
[members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES)] to regulate [the trade of certain timber species] [trade
in endangered tree species]] [Recent proposals to include certain proposals in
the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)] have given rise to concerns regarding the criteria
applied for listing of tree species and the availability and reliability of data
on individual tree species.
12. Recent changes in the markets for forest products, such as those caused by
the Asian financial crisis, have raised concerns on the ability to continue
the implementation of measures aimed at sustainable forest management [but have
at the same time increased the need for it]. The long-term impacts of such
unpredictable events on efforts to promote sustainable forest management need
examination and monitoring. Such situations highlight the need to develop
strategies for sustainable forest management with a long-term perspective so that
the negative effects of short-term market changes can be minimized.
13. Developing countries with low forest cover and small island countries have
special problems in developing their forest sectors to meet local needs for
forest products and services. They depend, in many areas, on other countries to
satisfy their needs for forest goods and services. Trade is [often] essential to
meet such needs and international economic and trade policies may have serious
impacts on the efforts of these countries to expand and rehabilitate their forest
cover.
Preliminary proposals
14. The Forum reaffirmed the importance of fully implementing the proposals for
action on trade and environment contained in the final report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (E/CN.17/1997/12) as well as of making further
progress in this programme element. In order to [facilitate] [expedite]
implementation, the Forum:
(a) Supported continued efforts by [all countries and] the World
Trade Organization [towards trade liberalization in such a way as to support
sustainable forest management] [in accordance with existing international
obligations and commitments,] to reduce [subsidies and] tariff and non-tariff
barriers to trade in forest products and services [in a way that promotes
sustainable forest management]; [[Urged] [Encouraged] [Called upon] countries to
adopt and implement sound environmental policies complemented by trade
liberalization in forest products and services;];
(b) Invited Governments and international organizations, including
ITTO, FAO, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
and other relevant bodies, taking into account work already under way in the
World Trade Organization, through an open and transparent process, to examine (i)
how trade [policies] [liberalization] can contribute to sustainable forest
management [and combating deforestation], and how [they can avoid] possible
adverse effects [can be avoided], (ii) [how to improve consumer information on
products from sustainably managed forests,] [how consumer preference for products
from sustainably managed forests can be used to promote sustainable forest
management and] (iii) how various sustainable forest management practices can be
recognized and rewarded by the market and (iv) how to [implement] [explore ways
and means] [to move towards] full-cost internalization in [forest management and
production] [both in forest products and in non-wood substitutes] [forest
management, processing and utilization of forest products and their substitutes],
and what [its] [the] implications are for trade of forest products and incentives
for sustainable forest management;
(c) Encouraged countries to continue further dialogue and
exchange of information and experience between the countries and stakeholders
concerned on the development, [and] application [and impacts] of voluntary C &
L schemes; and requested international organizations and other relevant bodies
to carry out research, case studies, and assessment of the existing and emerging
schemes, in order to better understand the potential role of these instruments
in promoting sustainable forest management and [related] [forest products] trade,
and [to help assure] that such schemes are not used as [disguised protection]
[trade restrictive measures];
(d) [[Called upon Governments, private bodies] [Invited bodies]
involved in voluntary certification and labelling in the forest sector, and other
interested parties, after having accumulated sufficient experience, to explore
the [issues of comparability and equivalency of various sustainable forest
management standards,] [scope for mutual recognition procedures and approaches
on the basis of equivalency at appropriately high levels of environmental
protection,] taking into account differing environmental and developmental
conditions. This work should build on the principles identified by IPF;]
(e) [Called upon Governments, international organizations and
relevant bodies to identify and [assess] [discuss] the effectiveness of efforts
to [control] [eliminate] illegal [harvesting] [trade] [and international trade
in illegally harvested forest products,] and to share information and better
coordinate their efforts in establishing [effective] [adequate] mechanisms to
monitor, investigate and combat illegal [harvesting and related] trade;]
(f) Encouraged close cooperation between CITES and relevant
international organizations, including ITTO and FAO, [in order to support CITES]
in their [its] efforts to protect and improve the survival of all endangered
species living in forests;
(g) Encouraged countries to support and safeguard the basic needs
of people, including indigenous people who live in and near forests, while
promoting trade in forest products, [environmental protection] and sustainable
forest management;
(h) [Encouraged] [Requested developing] countries with low forest
cover [and relevant international organizations] to identify which forest
products and services are scarce in these countries and how to improve and
sustain their supply, including [planted forests and] imports, and [in this
context] urged [the] international [community, including relevant] organizations
and [relevant] bodies[,] to [provide special assistance to] [assist in analysing
how] these countries [in ensuring that they can] [can better] achieve sustainable
forest management;
[(i) Encouraged countries to explore possible measures to achieve
trade of forest products from sustainably managed forests.]]
C. Matters left pending on the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies to support sustainable forest management
(programme element II.c)
Preliminary conclusions
1. The Forum reiterated the importance of the Forest Principles and the
relevance of decision 6/3 adopted by the Commission on Sustainable Development
at its sixth session (see note #9), to the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies in support of the management, conservation and sustainable
development of all types of forests. The Forum emphasized the strong links among
sustainable forest management and transfer of technologies, capacity-building and
institution-building, investment and financing from both public and private
sources.
2. Although not every constraint to sustainable forest management can
be alleviated by the transfer of technology, the Forum emphasized that improved
access to and utilization of environmentally sound technologies have great
potential for enhancing sustainable forest management. Indeed, policy
environments and measures favourable to sustainable forest management and
investment are as important as the availability and appropriate application of
the technologies themselves.
3. Efforts to enhance technology cooperation should recognize the
important role of [the public and] the private sector in the development,
transfer and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies, while stressing the
responsibility of Governments, [both in developed and in developing countries]
OR [particularly in developed countries], to develop an enabling policy, legal
and institutional framework.]
4. National forest programmes [as described in the report of IPF on its
fourth session (E/CN.17/1997/12, para. 17 (a))] should facilitate development and
transfer of environmentally sound technologies in support of sustainable
forest management and forest products processing. There is a need to further the
participation of interested parties in forest-related technology development and
to facilitate efficient adaptation and use of technologies and know-how, in
accordance with national legislation, through partnerships among the public and
private sectors, including research centres, universities and companies, and
indigenous people, local communities and non-governmental organizations.
5. There is a wide range of available environmentally sound
technologies, particularly in developed countries, that can support sustainable
forest management. [The policies, actions and types of financing that are
required for efficient selection, transfer, adaptation and use of these
technologies vary depending on the type of technology, local conditions and
intended use.] [Developed countries are required to transfer their
environmentally sound technologies and corresponding know-how to developing
countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms,
according to principle 11 of the Forest Principles.] They should be demand-driven
and be consistent with national priorities [for sustainable forest management]
OR [for management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of
forests][and be reflected in national forest programmes].
6. Efforts for the comprehensive assessment of technology needs and
suitability have been insufficient so far. Many countries, in particular
developing countries, need to strengthen their capacities for assessment of the
environmental soundness, economic sustainability and social impacts of
technologies.
7. Developing low forest cover countries have technological needs
related to, in particular, afforestation for land rehabilitation, reforestation
and restoration of degraded forests and for sustainable management of existing,
often unique, forests.
[8. [Some] [O] [o]pportunities do exist to finance and support
North-South technology transfer through ODA. [Further] [O] [o]pportunities also
exist to finance and support North-South [cooperation in] technology transfer
through public and private partnerships, joint ventures and foreign direct
investments]. [There is also an important role for international organizations
in the dissemination and facilitation of transfer of existing knowledge.] [An
efficient] OR [Effective] private sector involvement in North-South technology
transfer [requires an appropriate enabling environment] OR [depends on mutual
interests and an appropriate enabling environment, including promoting policies
and regulations aimed at creating a favourable environment to attract foreign
private investment and the removal of barriers to the provision of services].
[International, regional and interregional organizations have an important role
to play in the field of forest-related technology transfer. Regional and
interregional networks could contribute to a more effective and efficient use of
already existing technologies.]]
9. South-South cooperation is complementary to North-South transfer of
technology and know-how. There is potential for further strengthening of
South-South transfer of technology and know-how. [Technologies generated in the
South may [often] OR [sometimes] be more accessible, more applicable and less
costly and have greater potential for diffusion than some technologies developed
in the North.] Environmentally sound indigenous technologies, including
traditional forest-related knowledge, should be given special attention and any
transfer of such technologies or know-how has to be carried out with the consent
of the holder and according to national legislation.
10. [The Forum emphasized the importance of technologies related to
forest biological resources. In this respect, cooperation should be strengthened
on ways and means of transferring and developing technologies for the sustainable
management of forest biological resources, as they relate to the management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests in collaboration
with the Convention on Biological Diversity.]
11. To date, relatively little attention has been given to the need
for increased technology and know-how diffusion to end-users through forest
extension services. Some countries have, to that end, effective mechanisms and/or
extension programmes, which have a significant potential to be emulated by a
broader set of countries.
12. There is an urgent need for implementation of modern, appropriate
environmentally sound wood energy technologies which would enable more efficient
use of waste and by-products created by forest logging and wood processing, as
well as wood harvested for fuelwood, for both industrial and household uses.
13. Focused attention should be given to gender mainstreaming related
to capacity-building and technology transfer, particularly in the context of wood
energy use, tree cultivation for household energy use, sustainable forest
management and tenure and ownership of forests and lands designated for
afforestation. Appropriate technologies for the use of wood as an energy source
at the rural household level have a great potential to enhance the health and
socio-economic status of women in many developing countries.
Preliminary proposals
14. The Forum stressed the importance of fully implementing IPF's
proposals for action [, chapter 34 of Agenda 21, decisions adopted at the
nineteenth special session of the General Assembly and recommendations at the
sixth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development] on transfer of
environmentally sound technologies. In order to [expedite] OR [further] their
implementation, the Forum:
[(a) Urged the establishment of an environmentally
sound technology transfer mechanism to enhance the technology transfer from the
developed countries to developing countries;]
[(b)*4 (*4 It was suggested that the present subparagraph
should be considered in conjunction with paragraph 3 in the present section.)
Urged both developed and developing countries to develop an enabling policy,
legal and institutional framework that encourages [public and] private sector
investments in environmentally sound technologies for sustainable forest
management and/or in line with the respective national forest programmes;]
[(c)*5 (*5 It was suggested that the present subparagraph
be deleted, since it contains elements similar to those of paragraph 77 (c) in
the report of IPF at its fourth session.) Urged countries [and relevant
international organizations] to support the [establishment and/or strengthening
of] OR [cooperation between] national [and] regional [and international]
[institutions] OR [mechanisms/initiatives] to facilitate assessment [of needs for
and sustainabilities], adaptation and transfer of forest-related environmentally
sound technologies through [both] North-South [cooperation which should be
complimented by] [and] South-South cooperation. [These institutions can act as
clearing-house mechanisms for environmentally sound technologies;]]
(d) Urged [the developed] countries to recognize
the importance of transfer of technologies [to the developing countries],
including human and institutional capacity-building, as an integral part of the
process of investment and development; and underscored the importance of
combining technology transfer with training, education and institutional
strengthening in order to promote effective use and broad dissemination of
environmentally sound technologies;
(e) Urged countries and relevant international organizations
to consider practical measures to promote the diffusion of environmentally sound
technologies to end-users, particularly in local communities in developing
countries, through the efficient use of extension services;
[(f) Urged countries, and relevant international
organizations, among themselves, to improve coordination and cooperation in
forest-related technical assistance, capacity-building and environmentally sound
technologies transfer;]
OR
[(f) Urged countries and relevant organizations to
improve coordination and cooperation in forest-related technical assistance and
capacity-building, including forest fire prevention, management and control;]
OR
[(f) Urged countries, and relevant international
organizations, among themselves, to improve coordination and cooperation in
forest-related technical assistance, capacity-building, and transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries in areas such as
fighting and preventing forest fires, equipment technologies, equipment to combat
fires, genetic engineering, wood processing and technology, rehabilitation/
restoration of degraded lands, product design and processing, low impact logging
and transportation systems, non-wood product processing technology, fast
screening of chemical molecule and gene sequencing of biological resources,
pest and disease control, education and training technologies and so on;]
[(g)*6 (*6 The resolution of the present subparagraph is
subject to agreement on subparagraph 14(d) above.) Underscored the importance
of assisting developing low forest cover countries in their efforts in respect
of capacity-building that
would facilitate the development and transfer of environmentally sound
technologies required for their particular needs;]
[(h) Urged developed countries that are making use of the
forest biodiversity of developing countries to share the results of the research
therein and the benefits associated with the utilization of the forest
biodiversity based on the application of the research in forest biological
resources including the giving of due recognition to this source of biological
resources utilization in patent applications for technologies in accordance with
the Convention on Biological Diversity;]
OR
[(h)*7 (*7 Facilitator's proposed text.) Underscored
the importance of sharing the benefits, as well as the results of the research
on forest biological resources, in accordance with the provisions of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as IPF's proposals for action;]
[(i) Encouraged countries to develop appropriate [national]
mechanisms and/or measures to enable indigenous people, local communities and
forest-dependent groups to realize the potential benefits of traditional
forest-related knowledge in cooperation with the Convention on Biological
Diversity, through the establishment and enforcement of intellectual property
rights linked to this knowledge [including the giving of due recognition to the
use of traditional forest-related knowledge in patent applications for
technologies];]
[(j) Urged countries, in particular developed countries, to pursue
concrete actions that would facilitate the transfer of modern, appropriate
environmentally sound wood-based technologies for, and analyse the implications
of, the use of wood, waste and by-products created by forest logging and wood
processing as an energy source at the household, local and national levels,
including in industry;]
[(k) Urged [the developed countries] to transfer and [develop]
[also to contribute to the development of] technology [in developing countries
in order to allow them] to make use of waste materials generated from wood and
non-wood processes;]
(l) Called upon countries to undertake steps to ensure equal
opportunities for women, in particular indigenous women and women in rural areas,
to become beneficiaries of environmentally sound forest-related technologies,
know-how and extension services;
(m) Urged countries to strengthen outreach programmes targeted at
women in the areas of education, training and microcredit, related to community
development programmes and household use of wood, wood lots for fuelwood and
energy-efficient cooking technology;
(n) Urged countries and relevant international organizations
to use data and information that are disaggregated by gender in sectoral surveys
and studies used in the development of technologies for sustainable forest
management policies and projects.
D. Other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process
needing further clarification: underlying causes of deforestation;
traditional forest-related knowledge; forest conservation and protected
areas; and research priorities (programme element II.d (i))
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussion
The Forum underscored the importance of the implementation of all
IPF's proposals for action relevant to these programme elements.
Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation
The Forum welcomed the initiative on international underlying causes
of deforestation and forest degradation and their relationship to national
causes, which includes the organization of consultation processes at the regional
level, participation of indigenous people organizations, elaboration of case
studies and organization of a Global Workshop to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica,
18 22 January 1999, organized by non-governmental organizations with the support
of Costa Rica and UNEP.
1. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Policy coordination is needed both inside and outside the
forest sector to ensure policy consistency to overcome major obstacles when
addressing the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation;
(b) An analysis is needed of the mechanisms for a fair and
equitable share of benefits including payments arising from the use of
traditional technologies developed by indigenous people, forest owners and local
communities for sustainable forest management;
(c) A problem-solving and solution-oriented approach should be
applied in order to achieve concrete results in policy implementation;
(d) The results of the non-governmental organization-led
initiative, taking place in Costa Rica, related to this programme element should
further support the deliberations within the Forum as well as the outcome of the
UNEP/CIFOR study.
2. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
(a) Include issues related to, inter alia, macroeconomic and rural
development policies, poverty, market forces, trade constraints, forest fires and
civil strife;
(b) Distinguish between underlying causes in forested countries
and low forest cover countries;
(c) Examine the difficulties for implementation of policies to
combat deforestation and forest degradation, including the financial cost and
institutional and technological requirements of such policies, in particular in
developing countries;
(d) Provide a comprehensive analysis and relevant proposals for
enhancing international cooperation to address underlying causes of deforestation
and forest degradation.
Traditional forest-related knowledge
3. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) The decisions of the fourth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity relevant to traditional
forest-related knowledge, as they relate to the implementation of the IPF
proposals for action in the promotion of sustainable forest management, taking
into account their crucial role in the further development of this programme
element;
(b) The importance of ensuring an adequate treatment and a
coordinated development of actions regarding the traditional forest-related
knowledge, both under the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as in the
future sessions of the Forum, and between these two forums;
(c) The need for urgent and effective implementation of IPF
proposals for action dealing with important aspects of traditional forest-related
knowledge, taking into account the Convention on Biological Diversity process;
(d) Traditional forest-related knowledge in some areas of the
world, such as Europe, has also been built up through generations of private
forest owners and forest practice.
4. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
(a) Provide information regarding the process under the Convention
on Biological Diversity on traditional forest-related knowledge;
(b) Take into account the work under the Convention on Biological
Diversity in matters such as:
(i) Application and development of legal and other forms of
protection for the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local
communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant to the conservation
and sustainable use of forest biological diversity;
(ii) Legislative, policy and administrative measures, good
practices of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, equitable
sharing of its benefits including case studies on access to forest genetic
resources, and benefit-sharing arising from the use of those genetic resources;
(iii) Consistency between intellectual property rights and relevant
provisions of the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (see note #8) and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Forest conservation and protected areas
The Forum welcomed the initiative announced by Brazil and the United
States of America of holding an International Experts Meeting on Protected
Forest Areas, to be held 15 19 March 1999, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as
the initiative of the Government of Australia for the development of an in-depth
study on forest conservation and protected areas and an International Experts
Workshop in Canberra, Australia, in September 1998.
5. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Forest conservation should be implemented in an ecosystem
approach, both inside and outside protected areas;
(b) Protected forest areas contribute significantly in respect of
determining ecological parameters for the management of all types of forests
on a sustainable basis, and also provide social, cultural, environmental and
economic benefits. Therefore, all these aspects should be taken into
consideration;
(c) The results of the government-led initiatives related to this
programme element should further support the deliberations within the Forum and
the Convention on Biological Diversity.
6. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third
session of the Forum:
(a) Take into account the implementation of the programme of work
on forest biological diversity adopted in its decision IV/7 by the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its fourth
meeting, held in Bratislava from 4 to 16 May 1998;
(b) Consider all kinds of protected areas and conservation
measures with different management regimes, including those under government,
private or community management administration, according to specific country
characteristics;
(c) Consider the possible benefits of networking among specific
forest protected areas and of the establishment of such an international network
taking into account existing networks;
(d) Consider approaches to gaps analysis to identify shortcomings
in existing networks;
(e) Consider the potential need for the adaptation of existing
definitions of protected areas for the specific purposes of forest protected
areas at international level;
(f) Address the issue of ecological corridors and buffer zones in
relation to forest protected areas.
Forest research
The Forum welcomed the initiative taken by the Governments of
Indonesia and Austria to conduct an International Expert Consultation on Research
and Information Systems in Forestry (ICRIS), to be held in Gmunden, Austria, in
September 1998, in collaboration with CIFOR, FAO and IUFRO.
7. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) The need for improved coordination could be provided by
networks for global forest-related research;
(b) Existing regional and global research networks and their
potential in terms of data availability, capacity, objectives and possibilities
for an effective linkage should be examined before new mechanisms and/or
initiatives are established;
(c) The need for more institutionalized research on various
aspects relating to all types of forests, including unique type of forests, both
in forested countries and in low forest cover countries;
(d) Improved allocation of funds for priority forest research
areas, including the support for research activities in developing countries;
(e) Adequate use of scientific and traditional knowledge to
support sustainable management of forests, especially regarding the processes
that regulate forest structure, renewal, diversity and productivity;
(f) Targeted, policy-relevant and practical research is essential,
especially to support practitioners at the field level;
(g) The results of ICRIS, organized by the Governments of
Indonesia and Austria, related to this programme element should further support
the deliberations within the Forum.
8. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
Examine and provide proposals on institutions that could act as a
focal point for undertaking a systematic review of globally relevant ongoing
research on forests, and could guide a prioritization process to improve the
information exchange among policy makers, forest practitioners and scientists.
E. Other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process
needing further clarification: valuation of forest goods and services;
economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure; future supply of
and demand for wood products and non-wood forest products; and
rehabilitation of forest cover (programme element II.d (ii))
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussion
Valuation of forest goods and services
1. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Forest valuation is one of many tools for decision-making in
sustainable forest management. Further research should be promoted to develop
forest valuation methodologies, which value and account for forest goods and
services so as to achieve sustainable forest management. Valuation methodologies
should strive to be innovative, simple, practical and cost-effective and to apply
quantitative and qualitative approaches, taking into account traditional
knowledge;
(b) While the principles of forest valuation are global, local
environmental, social, cultural and economic characteristics of countries should,
at the same time, be taken into account. Valuation should include values
perceived by a variety of interested parties including local communities and
indigenous people, with due consideration given to the role of women, and should
include market as well as non-market values. Further development and application
of forest valuation methodologies needs should take into consideration already
existing data, the need for updated forest resources assessments and research
results;
(c) Consideration of the costs and benefits of carbon
sequestration by forests needs to follow closely the agreements reached by the
parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The request
by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) of the
Framework Convention for the Framework Convention secretariat to liaise with the
secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the secretariat of the
Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious
Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, the Forum, FAO and other
international bodies and organizations to ensure that information relevant to
land-use change and forestry is available to the Conference of the Parties to the
Framework Convention (see decision 1/CP.3 of the Conference of the Parties, (see
note #10) para. 5 (a)) (agenda item 6 (b)) was welcomed in this regard.
2. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
Analyse and prepare specific proposals on the development of forest
assessment and economic valuation methodology. This could include analysis and
proposals on the promotion of the creation of market opportunities for non-timber
forest products and services, including environmental and social services
provided by forests, recognizing also the ecological, social and cultural values
of forests. This should be supported by practical examples and case studies of
the value of forest biological diversity and other non-wood forest products and
services.
Economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure
3. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) While it was stressed that matters related to land tenure fall
within the competence of national Governments, it was suggested that
decision-making on land allocation needs should include consideration of a wide
range of factors and that countries should strive to address the role of
indigenous people, local communities and women in the management of forest
resources;
(b) Countries, according to their specific domestic conditions,
are encouraged to undertake further analysis and implementation of their economic
instruments and tax policies, as appropriate, in order to remove obstacles to
sustainable forest management.
4. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
(a) Give more attention to the issues related to land tenure, as
well as to the use of voluntary economic incentives to promote management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests;
(b) Undertake a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of
alternative economic instruments and tax policies. The international
organizations involved in this work should benefit from the knowledge already
existing in countries, which, on the other hand, are encouraged to provide such
information as available. This analysis should take into account current
understanding, such as is reflected in the work of FAO on forest revenue systems;
(c) Include further analysis on the regulation and taxation of
logging, including voluntary approaches and best management practices;
(d) Provide concrete examples of the impact of policies and action
in other sectors such as agriculture and finance.
Future supply of and demand for wood products and non-wood forest products
5. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Improved quality and comparability of information about forest
resources is needed in all countries. Every country needs to become part of the
solution to this problem. Work carried out by international organizations is
only as good as the information on which it is based. Information on non-timber
forest products and services is particularly scarce. Enhanced international
support is required for human resources and institutional capacity-building, and
needed for the assessment of non-wood forest goods and services in developing
countries;
(b) The general use of wood and non-wood forest products and
services derived from sustainably managed forests should be encouraged. Supply
and demand for alternative sources may be evaluated considering their overall
environmental impact;
(c) Plantation forestry can play a positive role in easing the
pressure on natural forests. In areas of slow growth, these effects should not,
however, be overestimated;
(d) Possible implications of progress in sustainable forest
management and the increase in protected areas for the supply of wood and
non-wood forest products and services should be analysed.
6. Guidance for the Secretariat in preparation for the third
session of the Forum:
Prepare a paper, derived from information and outlook studies, with
a view to identifying policy implications at the national and international
levels.
Monitoring and rehabilitating forest cover in environmentally critical areas
7. Participants noted the following in moving towards the preparation
for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Forests play an important role in combating desertification
and land degradation. Forest plantations are of particular value as a means
of restoration in areas where the original forests have disappeared and of
reclamation of degraded land;
(b) Rehabilitation through tree plantations, where appropriate,
should have clear objectives and involve relevant interested parties, in
particular local communities and indigenous people, with due consideration to the
role of women, and to local knowledge;
(c) Special attention is required to meeting the needs of
developing countries with low forest cover. Forest rehabilitation can provide the
basis for soil and water conservation; improved agriculture and food security,
including agroforestry; contributions towards eradication of poverty, employment
and rural development; restoration of wildlife habitats; and contributions to the
conservation of indigenous species and unique forest ecosystems;
(d) Mountain areas, including watersheds, coastal areas and
mangroves, as well as small islands deserve special attention.
8. Guidance for the secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
(a) Prepare a document, in consultation with the Convention to
Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, particularly in Africa, that will enable the Forum at its third
session to consider options for action based on practical, innovative real-life
experiences with land rehabilitation in countries covering a wide range of
environmental, social and economic conditions;
(b) Include in this analysis mountain areas, as well as mangrove
forests and coastal zones.
F. Forest-related work of international and regional organizations and
under existing instruments (programme element II.e (i) and II.e (ii))
Preliminary conclusions
1. The Forum emphasized that Governments, international organizations
and all interested parties should take a holistic approach to forest matters,
which recognizes the importance of social, economic and environmental values and
functions of forests, and use their comparative advantages to cooperate in
support of management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of
forests.
2. The Forum noted that many of the IPF proposals for action are
directed towards international organizations and instruments, and that there is
significant unrealized potential for further strengthening and mobilizing the
capacity of existing international and regional organizations and instruments to
support and promote the goal of management, conservation and sustainable
development of all types of forests. This can be achieved through the
enhancement of their complementarities, the provision of financial resources,
better coordination and facilitation of the policy dialogue, and greater
coherence of action, including consistent policy guidance at the level of their
governing bodies. This approach would help to focus collective action on overall
priorities. There is a need to encourage the forging of partnerships with other
international and regional organizations and instruments to implement the IPF
proposals for action directed towards them.
3. The Forum recognized the informal, high-level Inter-Agency Task Force
on Forests as a successful informal partnership in initiating and strengthening
forest-related collaboration among organizations within and outside the United
Nations in support of the IPF proposals for action. The Task Force requires
strong support from each of its member organizations. The strengthening of the
work of the Task Force will facilitate the implementation of the IPF proposals
for action. The Task Force should continue to practise coordination on an
informal basis with respect to the implementation of IPF proposals for action
directed towards its member organizations.
4. The Forum acknowledged that in the context of the implementation of
the IPF proposals for action, the real challenges ahead lie in further
strengthening the existing partnerships among Task Force members and other
international and regional organizations and instruments in respect of
facilitating the establishment of new modalities of cooperation between Task
Force members and other partners for making the best use of all the available
forest-related institutional capabilities that exist at the regional and
international levels. In this regard, through national forest programmes, special
attention should be paid to supporting efforts of countries, in particular
developing countries and countries with economies in transition, towards
sustainable forest management.
5. The Forum underlined that the IPF proposals for action as a whole
constitute an important integrated and multisectoral approach for the achievement
of the sustainable forest management of all types of forests. Complementary
objectives and approaches on forest-related issues for promoting work among
institutions, organizations and instruments are crucial to improving efficiency
and coordination, which should be built upon the IPF proposals for action. Future
efforts by international organizations, multilateral institutions and instruments
should be flexible in order to accommodate the existing and emerging needs as
well as different levels of social and economic development of countries, in
particular developing countries. The Forum also encouraged them to provide for
the effective participation of and collaboration with all interested parties.
6. The Forum recognized the utility of designing a comprehensive
Directory of forest-related international and regional organizations including
information regarding relevant global and regional conventions. The Directory
could include, inter alia, the available institutional information concerning
missions, mandates, organizational structures, programmes, activities, personnel
and budget, as well as information on collaborative forest-related work and
activities of organizations and institutions. The Directory should be updated on
a regular basis. FAO, in cooperation with other member organizations of the Task
Force, could have a leading role. Additional information about bilateral and
multilateral forest-related activities, private sector and research institutions
and selected publications could also be included, as provided by the parties
involved in such activities. It is suggested that such a Directory be made
accessible to all Governments and other interested parties in electronic form,
for example, on the Internet.
7. The Forum emphasized that success of the efforts being undertaken by
various United Nations bodies on forest-related issues depends on addressing the
economic, social and environmental components of sustainable forest management
in the context of sustainable development, in a balanced manner. It was also
noted that the specific conditions of developing countries and countries with
economies in transition in terms of financial, technical and technological
capabilities require particular attention. Inter-agency coordination should pay
special attention to integrating the needs of developing countries with low
forest cover in relevant policies and programmes.
8. With respect to the Forum programme of work under category II.e,
according to which it is to "Consider forest-related work of international and
regional organizations. Further examine the forest-related work being carried out
by international and regional organizations and under existing instruments in
order to identify gaps and overlaps", the Forum noted that the Secretariat's
documentation provided useful input to deliberations in the Forum regarding
issues to be dealt with under category III.
9. The Forum noted that in future it will be necessary to examine
practical approaches based on results expected to be achieved and to focus on
experiences gained in the implementation of existing instruments and the work
programmes of international and regional organizations oriented towards achieving
sustainable forest management.
Preliminary proposals
10. The Forum called upon all interested parties, including the
governing bodies of relevant international and regional organizations and
instruments, to:
(a) Identify practical means for mobilizing their diverse
strengths and capabilities to support country-level efforts in implementing the
proposals for action adopted by IPF, taking into account the need to enhance the
active participation of all parties concerned;
(b) Foster synergies among different international and regional
organizations and instruments, and encourage their active participation in and
contribution to internationalforest policy dialogue, with due consideration to
the Forest Principles, chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and the IPF/Forum proposals for
action;
(c) Clarify the respective roles and work to be carried out by
international and regional organizations and instruments with respect to the
forest-related programmes of action of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development and its follow-up.
11. The Forum called upon Governments to:
(a) Utilize, as appropriate, the expertise provided by
international and regional organizations and instruments in the formulation of
their national forest programmes, in particular to better integrate
cross-sectoral linkages and the social, economic and environmental aspects of
sustainable forest management into national policies;
(b) Establish and strengthen, as appropriate, effective national
arrangements to provide coordinated and effective guidance to multilateral
organizations.
12. The Forum called upon the secretariats of the Task Force member
organizations to:
(a) Inform their governing bodies about the progress and outcome
of the IPF/Forum process so as to strengthen their forest-related activities and
their inter-agency cooperation in this regard;
(b) Explore and develop the potential for institutional synergies
with other partners, especially with regional development banks, regional
commissions and other regional intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental
organizations, other international organizations and private sector institutions;
(c) Cooperate towards developing a comprehensive Directory of
forest-related international and regional organizations and instruments engaged
in forest-related activities, including their mandates, missions, organizational
structures, programmes, activities, personnel and budget, as well as information
on collaborative forest-related work and activities of organizations and
instruments. The Directory should be updated on a regular basis. FAO, in
cooperation with other member organizations of the Task Force, could have a
leading role in this task.
13. The Forum called upon Governments to provide guidance to the
governing bodies of international and regional organizations and instruments, and
to encourage non-governmental organizations to cooperate in:
(a) Implementing activities to increase public awareness of the
direct and indirect benefits derived from forests, at national, subregional,
regional and global levels;
(b) Facilitating inter-institutional consultation on
cross-sectoral forest policies, policy reforms, and planning and programmes for
sustainable forest management;
(c) Enhancing cost-effective data systems, to allow the
preparation and the timely dissemination of information on progress in
sustainable forest management.
14. The Forum called upon relevant international and regional
organizations and instruments to consider, in their relevant policies and
programmes, the needs and requirements of developing countries and countries with
economies in transition, with special attention to low forest cover countries.
15. The Forum urged international and regional organizations and
governing bodies of instruments to support forest programmes and to integrate
forest-related aspects in programmes aimed at poverty alleviation, decreasing
population pressures, promoting food security and promoting environmental
awareness.
16. Consistent with the programme of work under element II.e, which
is to "further examine the forest-related work being carried out by international
and regional organizations and under existing instruments in order to identify
gaps and overlaps", the Forum requested the Forum secretariat to provide to the
Forum at its third session an in-depth analysis of the experiences with
implementation, compliance and achievements of forest-related work under existing
instruments and by international organizations, as well as an in-depth analysis
of the contributions that could be made by regional and international voluntary
initiatives, for example, on criteria and indicators, to achieving sustainable
forest management, as a way to contribute to building further consensus in future
sessions. In this regard, the Forum secretariat was advised to seek assistance
from secretariats of existing instruments and other appropriate sources. The
analysis should include information on actions to support sustainable forest
management as well as the extent of international cooperation, including levels
of financial support. The analysis should also include:
(a) Coherence of forest-related objectives and policies among
existing instruments and effectiveness in their implementation;
(b) The degree of effectiveness of international cooperation to
support forest-related work;
(c) The nature and magnitude of demands by the existing
instruments on national institutions as well as existing national capacities to
respond to these demands;
(d) Action-oriented proposals to meet the specific needs and
requirements of developing countries, in particular those with low forest cover;
(e) Establishment of ways and mechanisms to ensure inclusiveness.
III. International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management,
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests
(category III)
Co-Chairmen's summary of discussions
1. The participants noted the following in moving towards the
preparations for substantive discussion at the third session of the Forum:
(a) Effective international arrangements and mechanisms to promote
the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests
are of utmost importance. It is important to address their adequacy bearing in
mind continuing trends such as the rates of deforestation and forest degradation,
as well as the need to maintain and enhance the ability of forests and other
wooded lands to meet the needs of present and future generations;
(b) Deliberations under this category should draw upon the Forest
Principles, together with relevant provisions of the Rio Declaration on
Environment and Development (see note #11) and Agenda 21, existing international
and regional arrangements and mechanisms, as well as the proposals for action
resulting from IPF, and build on experiences in the implementation of existing
agreements. Furthermore, close links exist between matters discussed under
category III and those under categories I and II of the programme of work of the
Forum;
(c) Implementation of the Forum's mandate under this category
requires that the initial emphasis in analysis and discussions at the early stage
of the process be placed on identifying possible elements of international
arrangements or mechanisms. This exercise should also take into account
deliberations under categories I and II of the programme of work of the Forum,
and relevant work currently under way in other forest-related voluntary
processes, in particular the processes on criteria and indicators. In the course
of the process, continued emphasis should be maintained on working towards a
global consensus;
(d) The documentation of the secretariat on this category was
noted. In addition to the possible areas of concern and elements suggested and
identified in this documentation, additional issues proposed for further
consideration include underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation;
special needs of countries with low forest cover and fragile forest ecosystems;
specific needs of communities dependent on forests to meet their subsistence
needs; protected areas; forest fires; airborne pollution; participation of
interested parties; information-sharing and public awareness; and international
cooperation. It was further emphasized that finance, technology transfer, human
resources and institutional capacity-building are of paramount importance in
relation to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types
of forests;
(e) At present, there is no global instrument that deals with all
types of forests in a comprehensive and holistic way. Hence, reaching consensus
and engaging in further action require a step-by-step approach, focused on
substantive issues of international concern, conducted in a transparent and
participatory manner, taking into account the views of all parties involved and
without prejudging the outcome;
(f) The initiative sponsored by the Governments of Costa Rica and
Canada in support of category III was noted. This initiative will seek to
facilitate technical discussion on possible legally binding instruments on all
types of forests and consider possible elements of such instruments.
2. Guidance for the secretariat in preparation for the third session of
the Forum:
(a) Undertake an analysis with a view to clarifying the role,
effectiveness and relevance of existing arrangements and mechanisms, both legally
binding and others, in achieving the objectives of management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests. Also, relevant initiatives by
non-governmental organizations, the private sector and voluntary processes, such
as initiatives on criteria and indicators, should be taken into account. This
analysis would include progress in and impediments to their implementation and
compliance. This task should be undertaken in conjunction with the analysis
requested under programme element II.e;
(b) Clarify the concepts, terminology and role of different types
of legally binding and non-legally binding arrangements and mechanisms, as well
as of voluntary processes such as initiatives on criteria and indicators;
(c) Take into consideration the comments made by participants
during the second session of the Forum regarding the documentation of the
secretariat on this category related to the possible elements and areas of
concern;
(d) Take into consideration and analyse the outcomes of all
initiatives, including the outcome of the first meeting of the initiative led by
the Governments of Costa Rica and Canada;
(e) Further examine opportunities for implementing the Forum
mandate under this category, in particular to facilitate the process with respect
to building further consensus during the third and fourth sessions of the Forum.
IV. Other matters
1. At its 6th meeting, on 4 September 1998, the Forum heard a statement
by the Director of the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests
under this item.
2. At the same meeting, the representative of Brazil made a statement.
V. Provisional agenda for the third session of the Forum
1. At its 6th meeting, on 4 September 1998, the Forum had before it an
informal paper containing the draft provisional agenda for its third session.
2. At the same meeting, following statements by the representatives of
the United States of America and Switzerland, the Forum adopted the draft
provisional agenda.
VI. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its second session
1. At its 6th meeting, on 4 September 1998, the Forum had before it the
draft report on its second session (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/L.1), as well as a number
of informal papers.
2. Before the adoption of the report, statements were made by the
representatives of Canada, the United States of America, Brazil and the observer
for Austria (on behalf of States Members of the United Nations that are members
of the European Union).
3. At the same meeting, the Forum took note of the informal papers and
adopted its report.
4. After the adoption of the report, statements were made by the
representatives of Indonesia (on behalf of the States Members of the United
Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), Switzerland, Japan and
Gabon, as well as by the observers for Austria (on behalf of States Members of
the United Nations that are members of the European Union) and Costa Rica.
VII. Organizational and other matters
A. Opening and duration of the session
1. The Intergovernmental Forum on Forests of the Commission on
Sustainable Development held its second session from 24 August to 4 September
1998, in accordance with Economic and Social Council decision 1997/317 of 16
December 1997. The Forum held six meetings (1st to 6th meetings).
2. The session was opened by one of the Co-Chairmen, Mr. Bagher Asadi
(Islamic Republic of Iran).
3. The Officer-in-Charge of the Division for Sustainable Development of
the United Nations Secretariat made a statement on behalf of the
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
B. Election of officers
4. At its 1st meeting, on 24 August, the Forum elected, by acclamation,
as Vice-Chairman, Ms. Bibiana Vargas Morales (Colombia) who replaced Ms. Amalia
Torres (Peru).
5. The Bureau of the Forum comprised the following officers:
Chairman:
Mr. Bagher Asadi (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Mr. Ilkka Ristimaki (Finland)
Vice-Chairmen:
Mr. Yevgeny Kuzmichev (Russian Federation)
Ms. Bibiana Vargas Morales (Colombia)
Mr. Charles Essonghe (Gabon)
6. At its 2nd meeting, on 28 August, the Forum agreed that, in addition
to serving as Vice-Chairman, Ms. Bibiana Vargas Morales (Colombia) would also
serve as Rapporteur.
C. Agenda and organization of work
7. At its 1st meeting, on 24 August, the Forum adopted its provisional
agenda contained in document E/CN.17/IFF/1998/1, and approved its organization
of work. The agenda was as follows:
1. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
2. Promoting and facilitating the implementation of the proposals
for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests and
reviewing, monitoring and reporting on progress in the
management, conservation and sustainable development of all types
of forests:
(a) Promoting and facilitating implementation;
(b) Monitoring progress in implementation.
3. Matters left pending and other issues arising from the programme
elements of the IPF process:
(a) Matters left pending on the need for financial resources;
(b) Matters left pending on trade and environment;
(c) Matters left pending on the transfer of environmentally sound
technologies to support sustainable forest management;
(d) Other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF
process needing further clarification;
(e) Forest-related work of international and regional
organizations.
4. International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the
management, conservation and sustainable development of all
types of forests.
5. Other matters.
6. Provisional agenda for the third session of the Forum.
7. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its second session.
8. Also at the 1st meeting, the Forum agreed to establish two
in-session working groups, each to be chaired by one of the
Co-Chairmen.
D. Attendance
9. The session was attended by representatives of 37 States members of
the Commission on Sustainable Development Observers for other States Members of
the United Nations and for the European Community and representatives of
organizations of the United Nations system, and secretariats of treaty bodies,
as well as observers for intergovernmental , non-governmental and other
organizations also attended. A list of participants is contained in annex I.
E. Documentation
10. The documents before the Forum are listed in annex II.
Notes
1 See United Nations Environment Programme, Convention on Biological Diversity
(Environmental Law and Institution Programme Activity Centre), June 1992.
2 A/AC.237/18 (Part II)/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex I.
3 A/49/84/Add.2, annex, appendix II.
4 See 1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and its
Protocols (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.II.E.24).
5 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio
de Janeiro, 3 14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex II.
6 Ibid., annex III.
7 General Assembly resolution S/19 2, annex.
8 See Legal Instruments Embodying the Results of the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations, done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994 (GATT
secretariat publication, Sales No. GATT/1994 7).
9 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1998, Supplement No. 9
(E/1998/29), chap. I, sect. B, decision 6/3.
10 FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, chap. I, decision I/CP.3.
11 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio
de Janeiro, 3 14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution
1, annex I.
Annex I
Attendance
Members
Algeria Abderrahmane Merouane
Antigua and Barbuda
Belgium Jean-Marie Noirfalisse, Carl De Schepper, Olivier Milcamps,
Simon Legrand
Benin
Bolivia Maria Victoria Montalvo
Brazil Everton Vieira Vargas, Antonio Fernando Cruz de Mello,
Maria Nazareth Farani Azevedo, Jose Carlos Carvalho,
Antonio Carlos do Prado, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias,
Paulo Jose Prudente de Morais, Luiz Carlos Joels, Ivan
Tomaselli
Bulgaria Valentin Dontchev
Canada Jacques Carette, David Drake, Martin Loken, Olivier Jalbert,
Ken Maccartney, Denyse Rousseau, Denis Chouinard,
Rosalie McConnell, Mike Fullerton, Ralph Roberts, Germain
Pare', Clifford Wallis, David Barron, Frederick Johnson,
Richard Baerg, Charlene Higgins
Central African Republic
China Su Ming, Zhang Xiaoan, Wang Zonglai, Zhou Guolin
Colombia Amparo Oviedo Arbelaez, Bibiana Vargas Morales, Marria
Elvira Posada
Co^te d'Ivoire Jean-Claude Anoh
Czech Republic Franti sek Urban, Milena Roudna'
Democratic People's Ri Thae Gun
Republic of Korea
Djibouti
Egypt Inayat Mohamed Abdelaziz
Finland Birgitta Stenius-Mladenov, Anders Portin, Markku Aho, Aira
Pa"ivo"ke
France Bernand Chevalier, Olivier Guerot, Olivier Hamel,
Genevie`ve Verbrugge
Gabon Andre' Jules Madingou, Charles Essonghe, Athanase Boussengue
Germany Ulrich Hoenisch, Maatthias Schwoerer-Boehning, Gabriela
Bennemann, Hagen Frost, Udo Vollmer, Karsten Sach,
Christa Wolf, Jurgen Wenderoth, Karl Keilen, Thomas
Schneider, Christian Mersmann, Birgit Hagler, Martin
Strittmatter
Guyana Andrew Bishop
Hungary
India C. P. Oberai
Indonesia Arizal Effendi, Toga Silitonga, Sugeng Rahardjo, Benny H.
Sormin, Bagas Hapsoro, Mayerfas, Anita Lantu Luhulima
Iran (Islamic Bagher Asadi, Mohammad Reza Hadji Karim Djabbari,
Republic of) Seyyed Jalaleddin Alavi Sabzevari
Ireland
Japan Akira Takamatsu, Mayu Hagiwara, Ichiro Nagame, Hikoji
Matsunaga, Osamu Hashiramoto, Kenji Fujita, Elichi Shinjo,
Hiroyuki Eguchi
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico Jose' Arjona, Enrique Ochoa, Edgar Cubero Go'mez
Mozambique
Netherlands Menno van Genne, Ton van der Zon, Peter Schutz, Marco
Braeken, Rob Velders
New Zealand Don Wijewardana, John Goodman, Matthew Gubb
Nicaragua
Niger
Pakistan Munir Akram, Kehkeshan Azhar
Panama
Peru Jorge Voto-Bernales, Rube'n Espinoza, Gustavo Lauri
Philippines Ma. Angelina M. Sta. Catalina
Poland Jan Zajaczkowski, Krystyna Lundorff, Kazimierz Rykowski,
Tomasz Gradzki
Portugal Alvaro Branco Vasco, Conceic' o Ferreira, Manuela
Domingues, Maria da Grace Rato, Manuel Loureiro, Antonio
Botao
Russian Federation E. P. Kuzmichev, A. M. Gudima, A. I. Pisaranko, V. M.
Zimianine, E. G. Kulikova, I. P. Bulatny
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
Spain Raimundo Perez-Hernandez, Enrique Alonso, Pedro Molina,
Jose' Maria Solano
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Switzerland Philippe Roch, Pierre Muhlemann, Monika Linn-Locher,
Felix Hintermann, Theo Wiederkehr, Edgar Dorig, Falph
Friedlander, Serge Pannatier
Thailand Plodprasop Surasawadi, Apiwat Sretarugsa, Pravit
Chittachumnonk, Atchara Wongsaengchan
United Kingdom of David Bills, Mike Dudley, Libby Jones, Andrew Bennett,
Great Britain and Richard Dewdney, John Hudson, Sheila McCabe, Penny
Brooke,
Northern Ireland Scott Ghagan, John Carpenter, Pippa Bird
United States of Stephanie Caswell, Jan McAlpine, Diane Graham, Doug
America Kneeland, Franklin Moore, Mary Coulombe, Jay Berg,
David DiGiovanna
Venezuela Werner Corrales, Samuel Mendoza, Dulce Parra
Zimbabwe Peter Gondo
States Members of the United Nations represented by observers
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras,
Italy, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Norway, Republic of Korea, Romania, Suriname,
Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay
Entities represented by observers
European Community
United Nations
United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development
Specialized agencies
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Bank, World
Meteorological Organization, United Nations Industrial Development
Organization
Secretariats of treaty bodies
Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change
Intergovernmental organizations
Agence de cooperation culturelle et technique, Centre for International
Forestry Research, Commonwealth Secretariat
Non-governmental organizations
General consultative status with the Economic and Social Council
World Wide Fund for Nature
Special consultative status with the Council
Association of Third World Studies, Greenpeace
International, International Federation of Building and
Wood Workers, National Wildlife Federation, World
Conservation Union (IUCN)
Roster or accredited to the Commission on Sustainable Development
Environmental Investigation Agency, UK, Friends of
the Earth, International Academy of the Environment,
International Institute for Environment and Development,
International Institute for Sustainable Development,
International Union of Forestry Research Organizations
(IUFRO), International Wood Products Association, Rainforest
Action Network, Sierra Club, Sobrevivencia, UNED-UK (United
Nations Environment and Development-United Kingdom
Committee), World Conservation Monitoring Centre
Annex II
List of documents before the Forum at its second session
The Forum had before it the following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General on promoting and facilitating
the implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Forests (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/2);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on matters left pending and
other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process: trade and
environment (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/3);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on matters left pending and
other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process: transfer of
environmentally sound technologies to support sustainable forest management
(E/CN.17/IFF/1998/4);
(d) Report of the Secretary-General on matters left pending and
other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process:
forest-related work of international and regional organizations
(E/CN.17/IFF/1998/5);
(e) Note by the Secretariat on monitoring progress in the
implementation of the proposals for action of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Forests (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/6);
(f) Note by the Secretariat on matters left pending on the need
for financial resources (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/7);
(g) Note by the Secretariat on matters left pending and other
issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process: valuation of
forest goods and services; economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure;
future supply of and demand for wood products and non-wood forest products; and
rehabilitation of forest cover (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/8);
(h) Note by the Secretariat on international arrangements and
mechanisms to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development
of all types of forests (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/9);
(i) Note by the Secretariat on matters left pending and other
issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process: underlying causes
of deforestation; traditional forest-related knowledge; forest conservation and
protected areas; and research priorities (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/10);
(j) Report of the Secretary-General on matters left pending and
other issues arising from the programme elements of the IPF process:
forest-related work under existing instruments (E/CN.17/IFF/1998/11);
(k) Letter dated 15 July from the Acting Permanent Representative
of Germany to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting
the report of the Government-led Initiative in Support of the United Nations
Intergovernmental Forum on Forests entitled "Putting the IPF proposals for action
into practice", held at Baden-Baden, Germany, from 29 June to 3 July 1998
(E/CN.17/IFF/1998/12).
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Date last posted: 5 December 1999 15:45:34
Comments and suggestions: DESA/DSD