Priority areas with regard to ASEAN's role in the development and implementation of national codes and the application of RIL in ASEAN Member Countries are as follows:
To better promote the development and implementation of national codes of practice for forest harvesting and RIL, ASEAN should seek to enhance cooperation with other regional organisations that similarly seek to advance sustainable management of tropical forests (e.g. APFC, FAO's Regional Office, andlTTO)to:
For a lasting impact on SFM, it is crucial that forest harvesting and forest management practices actually change as a result of implementing codes of practice for forest harvesting. This is unlikely to happen just through adopting national codes. Rather, it takes systematic, concerted and continuous follow-up support for capacity building, promotion of RIL and labour-intensive technologies, promotion of certification, and monitoring and evaluation. It is recommended to:
1 . Establish an advisors' group on developing and implementing national codes of practice for forest harvesting.
Suggested objectives:
- foster common understanding among ASEAN Member Countries on the importance of developing and implementing national codes of practice for forest harvesting as a mean of promoting SF Mintropical forests; and
- facilitate the transfer of knowledge, technologies and experience on national codes of practice forforest harvesting, RIL and LIL.
Recommended activities:
- support regional programmes for interaction among ASEAN Member Countries on the development and implementation of national codes and promotion of RIL and LIL, including labour-intensive, low-impact logging. Target groups are decision-makers and senior officials.
- enhance capacity building through the development and implementation of a strategy on training of trainers.
- support the development and implementation of national codes and promote RIL/LIL through technical assistance in ASEAN Member Countries, and assist in the review and revision of codes as and when required.
- support national training institutions and curricula development to increase the effectiveness of training by, inter alia, disseminating manuals and training materials. Target groups comprise national and local trainers, middle-level management, field operators and other priority stakeholders involved in forest management and timber harvesting.
2. Establish monitoring and evaluation systems for implementing national codes of practice for forest harvesting and the application of RIL.
Suggested objectives:
- monitor progress, identify constraints and opportunities, and assess impacts regularly; and
- ensure commitment and continuity.
Recommended activities:
- create a forum for key personnel involved in the implementation of national codes;
- develop monitoring and evaluation systems;
- conduct monitoring and evaluation; and
- organise regional meetings every three years to share and disseminate lessons learnt.
In recent years, common issues have arisen in the forestry sector of ASEAN Member Countries. It is therefore recommended to install a permanent forestry unit in the ASEAN Secretariat that would have the followingtasks:
