10. The Committee noted with interest the information communicated by the delegations of member countries on the basis of national reports concerning the situation of the forestry sector in their respective countries.
11. The majority of delegations stressed the persistence of the processes of degradation of forest lands, due above all to wild fires in the northern Mediterranean countries and to over-grazing and over-utilization for fuelwood in the southern and eastern countries.
12. Although the funds set aside in national budgets for operational expenses and investments were, in general, constantly increasing, in most countries they were still not sufficient to meet the needs for protection, conservation and development of the forest resources.
13. Despite an overall increase in afforestation and reforestation efforts, in the vast majority of the countries they fell far short of requirements. Not only did they not make it possible to cover the increased needs for wood, but in several countries they did not suffice to compensate for the losses due to various forms of degradation.
14. Several countries had modified their laws and regulations in forestry and related fields in order to rationalize them and adapt them to socio-economic and institutional changes. In some countries account had had to be taken of regionalization policies and corresponding transfers of responsibility at regional and local levels.
15. Among the many non-wood products of the Mediterranean forests, cork played a very important role in the forest economy of some of the western countries and its production could be extended to other countries in the region. The Committee agreed that greater priority should be accorded to the coordination of research activities on the cork oak.
16. The Committee noted the legislative and institutional measures taken in various countries to ensure better participation by the population in forest conservation, development and management actions, and the efforts made by some to enhance the awareness of the public and educate it. It stressed the need to strengthen training in the field of forestry, most especially at vocational and technical levels.
17. increased efforts had been made in several countries with regard to the establishment and management of protected areas, particularly in the humid zones important for migratory birds: efforts which went hand in hand with increased public awareness of the priority to be given to protection of the environment.
18. Contrary to what had happened during 1989 and 1990, which were characterized by a disturbing increase in wild fires in the northern countries, more favorable climatic conditions had limited their number and extension in 1991 in certain areas of the region. Fires were more serious in the north because of rural exodus and the abandonment of the land. It was noted that the number of small, immediately controlled fires had increased, and that large fires difficult to control were becoming increasingly devastating.
19. The delegations described the main trends and subjects of forestry research in their respective countries. The Committee noted that many were common to the majority of the countries and that this pointed to the need for better coordination and cooperation in the field of research, notably through the networks of Silva Mediterranea.
20. The Committee was informed of the forestry activities conducted in the Mediterranean region by the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations represented at the session, and noted with appreciation the sustained support received by the Committee and its networks from Unesco and ICAMAS. It noted in particular:
- the recent publication in Unesco's MAB Report series of a summary review of Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral systems, and the imminent appearance (May-June 1992) of a paper on Mediterranean mountains and forests; an international symposium on evergreen oak ecosystems held in September 1990; various activities carried out within the framework of the international network on Biosphere Reserves, including a meeting held in Tunisia in October 1991 on the Biosphere Reserves of the Mediterranean Region; and, lastly, the launching of a Unesco/lUBS/SCOPE programme of research on biodiversity (DIVERSITAS);
- the projects co-financed by the World Bank, at various stages of formulation and implementation, in various Mediterranean countries; and the preparation by the World Bank of a forestry orientation document for the region;
- the studies and meetings conducted on the initiative of WMO concerning the relationship between climate and wild fires in forest areas, and particularly the technical meeting on meteorological information for forest fire management which was held in Morocco in 1991;
- the activities conducted by the ICAMAS centres, particularly that at Chania (Greece), relating to education in forestry and the management of natural resources, this organization's networks, and the support it provides to other networks, including those of Silva Mediterranea;
- the activities connected with Mediterranean forestry research of IUFRO's working groups, lUFRO's forthcoming organization in Bari (Italy) of a meeting on the decay of oaks, and the publication of an information letter for the Mediterranean region.
21. The representative of the International Forestry Students Association thanked the Committee for the opportunity for his Association to participate in its work.
