24. The Secretary informed members that Chile and Argentina have submitted a joint bid and separately India had offered to host the Twenty-second Session of the IPC. There was unanimous agreement to recommend to FAO acceptance of the joint invitation from Chile and Argentina. If this invitation was accepted it was agreed that a suitable date would be October/November of the year 2004.
25. The IPC Session has not been held in the Asia Pacific region since 1988 (China) where Poplars and Willows play an increasing role in sustainable forestry and rural development in developed and developing countries. The proposal from India was appreciated and has been noted for future consideration.
26. After considerable discussion the members recommended that the theme needed to reflect topical issues of Latin America in general and Chile and Argentina in particular. Several options were discussed, but they were narrowed down to two similar approaches:
“Economic, environmental and social dimensions of Poplar and Willow cultivation” and
“The contribution of Poplars and Willows to sustainable forestry and rural development”.
The members requested the Secretary and Chairperson to liaise with the Organizing Committee to refine the theme to reflect priorities of the region.
27. In the past a questionnaire to gather information from member countries relevant to the theme and the preparation of National Poplar Commission country report had caused some confusion. The members requested the Secretary and the Chairperson to consider integrating these requests.
28. It was agreed that consideration should be given to adopting a similar format to that in Portland, Oregon for the twenty-first session with concurrent scientific and procedural sessions, with the possibility of the scientific sessions lasting for three days. Due to the anticipated attendance from Latin America, the necessity to have English and Spanish interpretation in these sessions would be reviewed by the Secretary and budgets sought.
29. Members recommended that the organisers should appoint a local Organising Committee, with responsibility for the local arrangements for the meeting.
30. The members recommended that a Scientific Committee be appointed to improve the coherence and quality of the scientific papers presented, to provide liaison between the Working Parties and to set the targets for publication of the papers and the Proceedings. It was agreed that membership of the Scientific Committee should include the Chairpersons of the Working Parties, and other members suggested by the Working Parties up to a total of eight or nine. The Terms of Reference of the Scientific Committee are to be agreed by the officials of the Working Parties.
31. Reviews of the administrative, logistical and technical arrangements of the Twenty-first Session had been prepared. The Secretary was requested to consolidate these into a single document of the lessons learned and have this translated into Spanish to assist in planning and managing of the Twenty-second Session.
