The workshop concluded that:
_ Given the vital importance of accurate, reliable and timely information needed for sustainable forest management,
_ being conscious of the many information gaps in African countries of essential characteristics of the forestry sector,
_ considering the multiple advantages offered by the Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA), particularly in forestry data management, the use of forestry data in decision making and the promotion of sub-regional and regional cooperation, and
_ considering the need to assure a correct completion of the mandate of the FOSA Focal Points to guarantee the success of the FOSA programme.
The meeting recommended to:
1. the FOSA Focal Points in each country:
_ to prepare a detailed workplan of the tasks ahead taking into account the financial and human resources available in the country to carry out the activities and to finalize the country report on time (submission of the report before September 2000). This workplan has to be sent to FAO as soon as possible;
_ to take the necessary actions to fulfil the Terms of Reference as proposed during the workshop.
2. the Governments in each country:
_ to confirm the Focal Point which, in that capacity, is responsible for the preparation of the national prospective report and for the fulfilment of the different tasks assigned to it; These tasks include the finalisation of the country report and the participation to a second sub-regional workshop;
_ to facilitate the creation of a multidisciplinary and inter-sectorial working group, coordinated by the FOSA Focal Point;
_ to bring in financial, logistical and technical means to ensure that the tasks as described in the Terms of Reference can be executed. This support concerns, in particular, access to key information for the study and coordination with other departments & organisations active in the country.
3. FAO:
_ to provide regular technical support and guidance to the FOSA Focal Points;
_ to assist the countries in their effort to identify potential partners to complement technically and financially FOSA activities;
_ to contact, invite and encourage organisations such as ECOWAS, CILSS, ATO and NGO's active in the forestry sector to actively participate in FOSA, to enlarge the partnership programme and to reinforce the sub-regional, regional and international scope of FOSA.
