102 FORESTS 2001 PART INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS
102 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 103 International dialogue and global regional and national initiatives n international commitment to work towards then under the Intergovernmental Forum on sustainable development was made almost Forests (IFF) IFF recently completed its work and a decade ago at the United Nations Conference on has put forth a proposal for an international Environment and Development(UNCED), also arrangement on forests, including the known as the Rio Conference, which took place in establishment of the United Nations Forum on Rio de janeiro, Brazil in June 1992. Preparations Forests(UNFF) re now being made for the Rio+10 Conference, The terms for three international conventions which willl be held in 2002 Rio +10 will take were agreed on at UNCED: the Convention on stock of the progress made over the past ten years Biological Diversity, the Framework Convention towards meeting the commitments made at on Climate Change and the Convention to UNCED. The review will focus on the Combat Desertification, 2 all of which are relevant plementation of Agenda 21, the plan of action to, but not solely concerned with, forests. The past produced by UNCED, and identify measures for few years have brought further progress in their its further implementation. implementation as well as strengthened links with Forests were among the many subjects one another, with IPF and IFF, and with longer- addressed at UNCED, and the Conference served standing conventions, including the Convention as a catalyst for the intense discussions and wide- on International Trade in Endangered Species of ranging initiatives on forests that followed. This Wild Fauna and Flora(CItEs) and the ramsar chapter highlights major initiatives-international Convention 3 and regional, governmental and non governmental - to promote sustainable forest on forests have intensified since UNCED, regional management. Although the focus is on cooperation in forest issues also increased and developments over the past two years, many of strengthened. Among the existing regional these efforts were initiated at, or were later tergovernmental initiatives related to forests, offshoots of UNCED recent developments have occurred in the Cong The countries of the world were much divided basin/ central Africa, southern Africa, Central on forest issues at UNCED. In order to advance America, the amazon basin, Asia and europe beyond the agreements contained in the "Forest Increased cooperation is also occurring at the Principles and Chapter 11(Combating ecoregional level; initiatives for countries with a deforestation) of Agenda 21, intergovernmental low forest cover and for mountain forests discussion and debate continued, first under the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and The full name is the Convention to combat desertification in those Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification, The full name is the ne ding authoritative articularly in Africa. 3 The full name is the Convention on wetlands of International Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat(also known as Types of Forest. the Wetlands Convention)
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 103 An international commitment to work towards sustainable development was made almost a decade ago at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Conference, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992. Preparations are now being made for the Rio +10 Conference, which will be held in 2002. Rio +10 will take stock of the progress made over the past ten years towards meeting the commitments made at UNCED. The review will focus on the implementation of Agenda 21, the plan of action produced by UNCED, and identify measures for its further implementation. Forests were among the many subjects addressed at UNCED, and the Conference served as a catalyst for the intense discussions and wideranging initiatives on forests that followed. This chapter highlights major initiatives – international and regional, governmental and nongovernmental – to promote sustainable forest management. Although the focus is on developments over the past two years, many of these efforts were initiated at, or were later offshoots of, UNCED. The countries of the world were much divided on forest issues at UNCED. In order to advance beyond the agreements contained in the “Forest Principles”1 and Chapter 11 (Combating deforestation) of Agenda 21, intergovernmental discussion and debate continued, first under the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and International dialogue and global, regional and national initiatives then under the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF). IFF recently completed its work and has put forth a proposal for an international arrangement on forests, including the establishment of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). The terms for three international conventions were agreed on at UNCED: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification,2 all of which are relevant to, but not solely concerned with, forests. The past few years have brought further progress in their implementation as well as strengthened links with one another, with IPF and IFF, and with longerstanding conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Ramsar Convention.3 While international discussions and agreements on forests have intensified since UNCED, regional cooperation in forest issues also increased and strengthened. Among the existing regional intergovernmental initiatives related to forests, recent developments have occurred in the Congo basin/central Africa, southern Africa, Central America, the Amazon basin, Asia and Europe. Increased cooperation is also occurring at the ecoregional level; initiatives for countries with a low forest cover and for mountain forests are 1 The full name is the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forest. 2 The full name is the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa. 3 The full name is the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (also known as the Wetlands Convention)
104 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 most notable. Cutting across geographic regions, related to forests remain controversial, complex such initiatives serve to increase intercountry and politically sensitive, countries agree that the collaboration based on ecological similarities main priority for the next few years is the In agreeing to the Forest Principles of UNCED's implementation of the proposals for action Agenda 21, countries committed themselves to adopted between 1995 and 2000 by IFF and its working towards the sustainable management of predecessor, IPF. (The topics of the proposals for all types of forests to ensure the continued action are listed in Table 13. )Contributing to vailability of the goods and environmental and this enhanced international dialogue has been social services that they provide. The need to the active participation of non-governmental define what sustainable forest management and indigenous peoples'organizations, which tually means in practice and to provide tools to have taken a leading role in a number of measure progress gave rise to the development of regional and global initiatives and international criteria and indicators for sustainable forest meetings of experts management Model and demonstration forest IFF recognized that increased financial resources programmes have been established to illustrate the transfer of environmentally sound technology, what sustainable forest management looks like in and capacity building to support national forest practice as well as the processes that may be programmes were essential elements in the employed to work towards it. implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for Recognition of the fact that sustainable forest action. The continued coordination of the forest management cannot be achieved in the absence of related activities of intemational organizations and an enabling institutional framework has led to nstruments was also recognized as important. The increased international support for national forest informal Interagency Task Force on Forests (ITFF) programmes. The results of a recent review of set up in 1995 as a coordination mechanism for national forest programmes are reported in the support to iPf by international organizations, was section, National-level efforts to support acknowledged as one of the main institutional sustainable forest management, p. 114. legacies of the IPF/IFF process. Integral to the concept of sustainability are One of the most controversial issues facing IFF social development and equity, which necessitate was how to establish an international arrangement widespread participation in decision-making so nd mechanism on forests, including the question that stakeholders can represent their own of a legally binding instrument on all types of interests. NGOs(including those representing the forests. After long and intense deliberations, IFF interests of various civil society sectors)have ached an agreement on the establishment of a become major recognized voices in international new intergovernmental body, which should be discussions on this topic and are key catalysts for built on existing forest-related arrangements. More action at the local level specifically, IFFs recommendations were for the Economic and Social Council(EcOSoc) and the THE IFF AND UNFF PROCESSES FF achieved notable progress in building (a)"Establish a new intergovernmental body consensus on international forest policy issues which may be called the United Nations through the intensive deliberations carried out Forum on Forests UNFF during its term, from July 1997 until April 2000. (b) Invite the executive heads of relevant As a result, the wide gap that existed between organizations of the United Nations syst North and south at the unced conference in 1992 and at the rio+5 Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1997 has narrowed 'See the Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests considerably. Although a number of issues on its fourth session(E/CN. 17/2000/14)
104 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 most notable. Cutting across geographic regions, such initiatives serve to increase intercountry collaboration based on ecological similarities. In agreeing to the Forest Principles of UNCED’s Agenda 21, countries committed themselves to working towards the sustainable management of all types of forests to ensure the continued availability of the goods and environmental and social services that they provide. The need to define what sustainable forest management actually means in practice and to provide tools to measure progress gave rise to the development of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. Model and demonstration forest programmes have been established to illustrate what sustainable forest management looks like in practice as well as the processes that may be employed to work towards it. Recognition of the fact that sustainable forest management cannot be achieved in the absence of an enabling institutional framework has led to increased international support for national forest programmes. The results of a recent review of national forest programmes are reported in the section, National-level efforts to support sustainable forest management, p. 114. Integral to the concept of sustainability are social development and equity, which necessitate widespread participation in decision-making so that stakeholders can represent their own interests. NGOs (including those representing the interests of various civil society sectors) have become major recognized voices in international discussions on this topic and are key catalysts for action at the local level. THE IFF AND UNFF PROCESSES IFF achieved notable progress in building consensus on international forest policy issues through the intensive deliberations carried out during its term, from July 1997 until April 2000. As a result, the wide gap that existed between North and South at the UNCED Conference in 1992 and at the Rio+5 Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1997 has narrowed considerably. Although a number of issues related to forests remain controversial, complex and politically sensitive, countries agree that the main priority for the next few years is the implementation of the proposals for action adopted between 1995 and 2000 by IFF and its predecessor, IPF. (The topics of the proposals for action are listed in Table 13.) Contributing to this enhanced international dialogue has been the active participation of non-governmental and indigenous peoples’ organizations, which have taken a leading role in a number of regional and global initiatives and international meetings of experts. IFF recognized that increased financial resources, the transfer of environmentally sound technology, and capacity building to support national forest programmes were essential elements in the implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for action. The continued coordination of the forestrelated activities of international organizations and instruments was also recognized as important. The informal Interagency Task Force on Forests (ITFF), set up in 1995 as a coordination mechanism for support to IPF by international organizations, was acknowledged as one of the main institutional legacies of the IPF/IFF process. One of the most controversial issues facing IFF was how to establish an international arrangement and mechanism on forests, including the question of a legally binding instrument on all types of forests. After long and intense deliberations, IFF reached an agreement on the establishment of a new intergovernmental body, which should be built on existing forest-related arrangements. More specifically, IFF’s recommendations4 were for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN General Assembly to: (a) “Establish a new intergovernmental body which may be called the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF); (b)Invite the executive heads of relevant organizations of the United Nations system 4 See the Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests on its fourth session (E/CN.17/2000/14)
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 105 TABLE 13 Topics of the IPF and IFE proposals for action Programme element Progress through national forest and land use programmes Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation Traditional forest-related knowledge Fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought Impact of airborne pollution on forests Needs and requirements of countries with low forest cover A A Financial resources Transfer of environmentally sound technology to promote sustainable forest management HILA Assessment of the multiple benefits of all types of forests D.8 Assessment, monitoring and rehabilitation of forest cover in environmentally critical areas Forest conservation and protected areas ILD. 4 Forest research ILD.6 Economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure IL D.7 Future supply and demand for wood and non-wood forest products and services Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management ILB Trade and environment International organizations and multilateral institutions and instruments, including appropriate legal mechanisms ILE Forest-related work by international and regional organizations and under existing instruments ternational arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management, conservation and Promotion and facilitation of the implementation of the IPF proposals for action Monitoring of progress in implementing the IPF proposals for action and heads of other relevant intemational and (c)Within five years,. consider with a view regional organizations, institutions and recommending the parameters of a mandate instruments to form a collaborative for developing a legal framework on all UNFF and to enhance cooperation and∝° partnership on forests to support the work types of forests (d) Take steps to devise approaches towards coordination among participants appropriate financial and technology transfer
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 105 Programme element Description IPF IFF I.A Progress through national forest and land use programmes I.B II.D.1 Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation I.C II.D.2 Traditional forest-related knowledge I.D Fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought I.E Impact of airborne pollution on forests I.F Needs and requirements of countries with low forest cover II.A II.A Financial resources II.B II.C Transfer of environmentally sound technology to promote sustainable forest management III.A Assessment of the multiple benefits of all types of forests II.D.8 Assessment, monitoring and rehabilitation of forest cover in environmentally critical areas II.D.3 Forest conservation and protected areas III.B II.D.4 Forest research III.C II.D.5 Valuation of forest goods and services II.D.6 Economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure II.D.7 Future supply and demand for wood and non-wood forest products and services III.D Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management IV II.B Trade and environment V International organizations and multilateral institutions and instruments, including appropriate legal mechanisms II.E Forest-related work by international and regional organizations and under existing instruments III International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests I.A Promotion and facilitation of the implementation of the IPF proposals for action I.B Monitoring of progress in implementing the IPF proposals for action TABLE 13 Topics of the IPF and IFF proposals for action (c) Within five years, ... consider with a view to recommending the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests ...; (d)Take steps to devise approaches towards appropriate financial and technology transfer and heads of other relevant international and regional organizations, institutions and instruments to form a collaborative partnership on forests to support the work of UNFF and to enhance cooperation and coordination among participants;
106 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 support to enable the implementation of ECoSOC to initiate. before the councils sustainable forest management, as substantive session in July 2000, informal recommended under the ipf and iFF consultations on where to place UNFF within the ocesses UN system. These consultations commenced in IFF also reached a consensus on the proposed early June and continued through the ECOSOC working modalities for UNFF, stating that it session, but without a conclusion being reached should be open to all states"and"would on the location of unff Other unresolved issues initially meet annually.. UNFF would have a rship and voting rights. In its high-level ministerial segment, for two to three resumed session in October 2000, ECOSOC days, as required. The high-level segment could created an intemational arrangement on forests include a one-day policy dialogue with the heads inchuding UNFF which was established as a of organizations participating in the collaborative subsidiary body of ECOSOC. At the partnership..UNFF would work on the basis of organizational meeting of UNFF, held in February a multi-year programme of work, drawing on the 2001, it was decided, among other things, to base elements reflected in the rio Declaration, the the unff Secretariat in New York. The cpf was Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and established in April 2001. UNFF's first substantive the IPF/IFF proposals for action. At its first session was held in june 2001 meeting on Environment and Development, UNFF will adopt its multi-year programme of work and develop a plan of action. which INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS would address financial provision AND AGREEMENTS RELATED IFF stated that the Collaborative Partnership TO FORESTS on Forests( CPF)-the official name for the Convention on Biological Diversity partnership referred to in (b)above-"could The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties build on a high-level, informal group, such as COP-5)to the Conference on Biological Diversity, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests [TFF], which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2000 which would receive guidance from UNFF highlighted the need to expand the focus of the facilitate and promote coordinated and Conventions programme of work in forest cooperative action, including joint programming ogical diversity from research to action- and submissions of coordinated proposals to the oriented activities. COP-5 called on Parties respective governing bodies; and facilitate donor governments and organizations to take practical coordination". It said that a compact secretariat actions to do this within the scope of the existing should be established to service unff work programme. Forest biological diversity will constituted in accordance with established rules be the major thematic focus of the seventh and procedures of the United Nations and meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, strengthened through staff from secretariats of Technical and Technological Advice(SBSTTA-7)in international and regional organizations, ovember 2001, for which a substantive report institutions and instruments analysing the status, trends and options for action At its eighth session in April-May 2000, the will be prepared. The conclusions will be Commission on Sustainable Development(CSD) discussed at COP-6, scheduled for April 2002. The endorsed IFF's conclusions and proposals for aim will be to propose an action-based, integrated action. csd invited ecosoc and the un and holistic approach to the conservation and General Assembly, as appropriate, to take action sustainable use of forest biological diversity. on the proposed terms of reference for an international arrangement on forests, as recommended by IFE. It invited the President of Adopted at COP-4 in May 1998
106 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 support to enable the implementation of sustainable forest management, as recommended under the IPF and IFF processes.” IFF also reached a consensus on the proposed working modalities for UNFF, stating that it “should be open to all states” and “would initially meet annually.... UNFF would have a high-level ministerial segment, for two to three days, as required. The high-level segment could include a one-day policy dialogue with the heads of organizations participating in the collaborative partnership.... UNFF would work on the basis of a multi-year programme of work, drawing on the elements reflected in the Rio Declaration, the Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and the IPF/IFF proposals for action. At its first meeting on Environment and Development, UNFF will adopt its multi-year programme of work and develop a plan of action ... which would address financial provisions.” IFF stated that the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) – the official name for the partnership referred to in (b) above – “could build on a high-level, informal group, such as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests [ITFF], which would receive guidance from UNFF; facilitate and promote coordinated and cooperative action, including joint programming and submissions of coordinated proposals to the respective governing bodies; and facilitate donor coordination”. It said that a compact secretariat should be established to service UNFF, “constituted in accordance with established rules and procedures of the United Nations and strengthened through staff from secretariats of international and regional organizations, institutions and instruments”. At its eighth session in April-May 2000, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) endorsed IFF’s conclusions and proposals for action. CSD invited ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly, as appropriate, to take action on the proposed terms of reference for an international arrangement on forests, as recommended by IFF. It invited the President of ECOSOC to initiate, before the Council’s substantive session in July 2000, informal consultations on where to place UNFF within the UN system. These consultations commenced in early June and continued through the ECOSOC session, but without a conclusion being reached on the location of UNFF. Other unresolved issues regarded membership and voting rights. In its resumed session in October 2000, ECOSOC created an international arrangement on forests, including UNFF, which was established as a subsidiary body of ECOSOC. At the organizational meeting of UNFF, held in February 2001, it was decided, among other things, to base the UNFF Secretariat in New York. The CPF was established in April 2001. UNFF’s first substantive session was held in June 2001. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATED TO FORESTS Convention on Biological Diversity The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to the Conference on Biological Diversity, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2000, highlighted the need to expand the focus of the Convention’s programme of work in forest biological diversity5 from research to actionoriented activities. COP-5 called on Parties, governments and organizations to take practical actions to do this within the scope of the existing work programme. Forest biological diversity will be the major thematic focus of the seventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-7) in November 2001, for which a substantive report analysing the status, trends and options for action will be prepared. The conclusions will be discussed at COP-6, scheduled for April 2002. The aim will be to propose an action-based, integrated and holistic approach to the conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity. 5 Adopted at COP-4 in May 1998