CPF continues its efforts to make reporting easier for countries. In 2002, UNFF member states mandated a CPF Task Force for streamlining forest-related reporting. The objective of the CPF Task Force is to propose ways to reduce the forest-related reporting burden, for example, through reducing and streamlining reporting requests, synchronizing reporting cycles, harmonizing data collection methods and increasing data comparability and compatibility, and facilitating the accessibility and flows of existing information.
The purpose of this work is also to guide ongoing international processes by sharing experiences and lessons learned on different reporting frameworks and by seeking possibilities for common approaches for data and information collection, storage and reporting by international organizations. In the longer term, the work aims to contribute to better information management system(s), whereby data and information will be more easily accessible and widely available, and in which the information could eventually be inserted and updated by countries themselves.
The CBD Secretariat was requested by the COP-10 COP in decision based on the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) Task Group on Simplifying Forest Reporting, including Organization, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Agriculture, a meeting of the Task Force, before the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties, to verify whether there are gaps in the monitoring and reporting of forest biodiversity aware of the need to follow up on the decision IX/5, section 3 (g), with the aim of further improving the biodiversity component of the Global Forest Resources Assessment and other relevant processes and initiatives; and a progress report to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting prior to the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties.
To respond to this request, the CBD, together with UNFF, FAO and other CPF members, requested the preparation of a study on forest categories to be published as a background document for the Subsidiary Body responsible for providing scientific information. , technical and technological advice to the CBD in the session to be held from April 30 to May 2012.
