11. In presenting document FO:SCM/94/3 the Secretariat recalled the history of the Mediterranean Forest Action Programme, formulated at the request of member countries, expressed in the recommendations of the Near East Forestry Commission (1987), Silva Mediterranea (1989) and the tenth World Forestry Congress (1991). The Secretariat indicated that the contents of this document had been the subject of a broad consultation, particularly on the occasion of the special meeting of the Committee held in Lisbon in July 1993 at the initiative of the Chairman. The Committee was invited to discuss ways of implementing the Programme at national, sub-regional and regional levels. A further justification for the Programme was UNCED's recommendation appealing to all countries to implement national forest action plans or programmes.
12. The Committee confirmed its full support for the Programme. It was of the opinion that MED-FAP should be able to give further impetus to forestry activities in the Mediterranean basin and, in this way, further strengthen solidarity among the countries of the region. It noted with satisfaction that the document had been widely disseminated. It recommended that States and inter-governmental and community organizations, including funding agencies, express their commitment to the Programme within the allotted time in view of the urgent situation facing all Mediterranean forests. In this regard, the Committee had received a message from the World Bank confirming that organization's interest in participating in the implementation of MED-FAP.
13. The Committee noted that the Programme was a tool and mechanism designed to help harmonize international support and for the preparation (or review) and implementation of forest policies, strategies, plans and programmes at national, sub-regional and regional levels. It provided a reference framework for forestry planning throughout the region. It was characterized, above all, by its adaptability and flexibility which took into account the diversity of situations in Mediterranean countries. The decision to implement the Programme at national and regional levels
lay, above all, with governments. The Programme belonged to the countries, and FAO had mainly to facilitate its implementation. Although special reserve funding had not been allocated to it, the Programme was in a position to attract contributions from bilateral and multilateral funding mechanisms and agencies, thanks to the establishment of coherent plans.
14. The Committee acknowledged that it should act as an inter-governmental forum for the coordination, monitoring and orientation of the Programme. As regards international coordination per se, this would have to be undertaken by FAO, through its capacity in forestry planning, which could be stepped up if necessary.
15. The Committee stressed the need to establish within the framework of the Programme a system of exchange of know-how and experience and of technology transfer within each sub-region and between the Mediterranean region's various sub-regions.
16. The Committee recalled the relationship between the Programme and some agreements reached within the framework of the Rio Conference, especially the conventions on biological diversity and on combating desertification. It stressed the importance to be attached to the economic assessment of the plans and programmes formulated within the framework of MED-FAP and the establishment of funding priority criteria.
17. The Committee stressed a certain number of significant actions to be implemented under the Programme, particularly those contemplated in the chapter "Ecosystem protection", actions combining conservation and socio-economic development in participatory approaches, such as those implemented in the management of certain biosphere reserves. Other important actions concerned the sustainable development of mountain areas, the protection and study of old-growth forest ecosystems and training in the management of protected areas.
18. The Committee stressed the importance of encouraging national and international private sector participation in forestry development activities. It noted the measures under way to this end in some countries of the region and the programmes aimed at informing and enhancing the awareness of the business community and the public at large.
19. As regards the implementation of the Programme at regional and sub-regional levels, the Committee acknowledged the need to identify common priority areas and to formulate programmes and measures for each one.
