COFO/2005/6


COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY

SEVENTEENTH SESSION

Rome, Italy, 15-19 March 2005

REVIEW OF FAO PROGRAMMES IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR, INCLUDING FOLLOW-UP TO THE REQUESTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIXTEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY AND OF THE PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (2002-03)

Table of Contents

ANNEX 1

1. This note summarizes FAO forestry activities since the previous session of COFO in 2003. The FAO Programme Implementation Report 2002-03 provides an overview of all sectors and is available in five languages on the internet http://www.fao.org/pir/index_en.htm.

Programme 2.4.1 Forest Resources

2. New activities were undertaken under the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions Silva Mediterranea through working groups led by member countries. Active groups are working on forest fires (led by Spain), cork oak (led by Portugal) and on the interface between Mediterranean Forests and Sustainable Development (led by France). The results of provenance trials on Mediterranean conifers will be published.

3. FAO worked with Cameroon, the Republic of Congo and Gabon to develop National Bushmeat Action Plans. This work was reported to COP13 of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), calling upon FAO to convene an international workshop to develop a global action plan on bushmeat. FAO organised the 15th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission's Working Party on the Management of Wildlife and Protected Areas. Participation included international, regional and national conservation non-governmental organizations (NGOs). FAO participated in ministerial conferences on forests in Central Africa held respectively in Yaoundé, Brazzaville and Libreville. Among the issues discussed there were trans-boundary protected areas projects:

4. As host of the Interim Secretariat of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions (the Mountain Partnership), FAO supported the collaboration among members of the Partnership and played a leading role in organizing global conferences in Merano, Italy (2003) and Cusco, Peru (2004). Support was provided to Mountain Partnership events at CSD-12 and the associated Partnerships Fair. Support was provided to countries to develop enhanced institutional capacity for sustainable mountain development through workshops aimed at transforming national committees established for observance of the International Year of Mountains 2002 into long-term multi-stakeholder bodies.

5. Field projects in watershed management and sustainable mountain development were implemented in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The 24th session of the European Forestry Commission’s Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds was held in Crakow, Poland, in September 2004. A multi-stakeholder exercise to review and draw lessons from field experience in watershed management was completed with a view to improving the design and implementation of future field programmes and projects.

6. Support was provided to countries to implement criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, including countries with low forest cover. The “Expert Consultation on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management” hosted by the Forest Management Bureau of the Philippines and organized in collaboration with FAO and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) was held in March 2004. Support was provided to model and demonstration forests in Asia and Latin America and to a new initiative in Central Africa. The FAO Forestry Paper Sustainable Management of tropical forests in Central Africa: In search of excellence was published in French and English and a strategy for FAO support to forests and forestry in the Congo Basin was prepared and published with support from the FAO/Netherlands Partnership Programme. In search of excellence in forest management: examples from Asia-Pacific was published.

7. Country profiles on status and trends in forest management were collated and inserted on the FAO web site. A review of linkages between the concepts of sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach which was published as a Working Paper and in Unasylva. A regional workshop on the management of tropical secondary forests in francophone Africa was organized in collaboration with the National Reference Centre for Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality (EC LNV), the Netherlands, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Regional Office/Cameroon. FAO collaborated with ITTO, CIFOR, IUCN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the publication of policy guidelines for the restoration, management and rehabilitation of degraded tropical and secondary forests. Work was initiated on Practical Guidelines for Secondary Forest Management in collaboration with ITTO.

8. An assessment of the status and trends in mangrove areas worldwide was undertaken and work initiated on a World Atlas on Mangroves in collaboration with ITTO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the United Nations University (UNU) and the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME).

9. National status assessments and regional workshops on forest tree genetic diversity were supported in Central Africa, Central America and South Asia, with corresponding information published and made available on-line. Support to the evaluation and assessment of international species and provenance trials aims to provide regional and global applications to comparative field trials of socio-economically important tree species, including Mediterranean conifers, Acacia and Prosopis. Continuous support was provided to sustainable tree resource and forest management in arid zone countries.

10. An Illustrated Guide to the State of Health of Trees: Recognition and Interpretation of Symptoms and Damage was published. The global information system on insect and disease outbreaks and their impacts on forests and trees was further developed. Information was validated for the Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) Update 2005. A network for forest pest management in Africa was revitalised, and a web site dedicated to forest pest management issues of importance to Africa was constructed to serve the network. Information on insects and diseases with transboundary potential was updated and disseminated. Support to pest management through TCP projects was provided to 12 countries in four regions in response to requests from governments related to specific pest problems affecting forests and food security.

11. Support to national, regional and global efforts to prevent and manage forest fires continued with financial assistance from the FAO/Norway Partnership Programme. A study was being undertaken to obtain information on trends in forest fires as part of the GFRA Update 2005 in partnership with the Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC). The Pan-American Conference on Wildland Fire was organized and attended by 27 national Heads of Forestry. The Ministerial Meeting on Forests convened by the Director-General on 14 March 2005 included International Cooperation on Forest Fires as an agenda item. Nine regional forest fire management networks were supported, and direct support was provided to Cape Verde, Cuba, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Turkey, Syria and the Seychelles.

12. Support was provided to FAO member countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe to develop tools, collect information, and establish networks to promote trees outside forest (including agroforestry and urban and peri-urban forestry). Low forest cover countries were supported in the framework of the Tehran Process. FAO served as a member of the organizing committee for the First World Agroforestry Congress organized by ICRAF and the University of Florida in 2004. FAO sponsored participants from developing countries (Africa, Asia and Latin America).

13. Seed, Forest Reproductive Material and Biotechnology was published, an overview of issues related to forest reproductive materials. A draft global review of extension manuals of relevance to forest seed was released. Work is on-going to provide information on the global status and trends of forest seed supply and demand. The effects of forest tree germplasm exchange and use were considered through a biosecurity perspective. Global assessments and regional case studies were commissioned to quantify the “invasiveness” by introduced forest trees. Applications of biotechnology in the forestry sector were reviewed worldwide to provide quantitative data.

14. A planted forest database and website were established. Technical papers were published and case studies were conducted on the role of planted forests in different ecological zones. Support was provided to international meetings on planted forests, including the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Inter-sessional Expert Meeting: “Maximizing the Role of Planted Forests in Sustainable Forest Management”, New Zealand, 2003. FAO joined the Forest Landscape Restoration Partnership and Organizing Committee for the Global Workshop on Forest Landscape Restoration proposed in Brazil, April, 2005. Technical support was provided to Governments, institutions, multi-lateral organizations and projects (Government Cooperative Programme and Technical Cooperation Programme) in afforestation and reforestation in several countries.

15. FAO support to international processes related to Climate Change included provision of technical input and organization of side events in all SBSTA and COP meetings; assistance to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Secretariat in a technical paper on small-scale forestry projects in the clean development mechanism (CDM); preparation of small-scale forestry projects under the CDM; initiation of an emission factor data bank for forest carbon inventories; provided technical input to UNFCCC workshop on carbon accounting in harvested wood products; lead authorship on biomass and carbon inventories in forests in the 2003Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC) Good Practice Guidelines; authorship of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for Agriculture, Forestry and other land uses (AFOLU); presentation to IPCC work programme on forest degradation; organized the process of harmonizing forest-related definitions continues with a third expert meeting at the start of 2005. A separate study is being carried out on harmonizing forest, biomass and carbon related definitions in the context of GFRA 2005 and the 2003 IPCC Good Practice Guidance.

16. Country capacity support was provided to member states on forests and climate change. FAO conducted 10 workshops in Africa, Asia and Latin America to build capacity for UNFCCC negotiations and for implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and the UNFCCC in the forest sector, jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and IUCN. Seventeen national capacity building workshops were organized in Central America.

Programme 2.4.2 Forest Products and Economics

17. The Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA) was widely disseminated in three languages – Arabic, English and French, and follow-up activities were supported to translate the findings into action. Of particular importance are the case studies on “Lessons learnt on sustainable forest management in Africa” implemented jointly with the Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry and the African Academy of Sciences. The findings of FOSA have been mainstreamed into the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). FOSA was used to formulate a forest sector strategy for the Congo basin.

18. Two new regional outlook studies were completed: (a) the Latin America and Caribbean Forestry Sector Outlook study and (b) the European Forestry Sector Outlook Studies. The Latin America and Caribbean study includes 17 country outlook papers, 3 sub-regional reports and a regional overview report. This was the most comprehensive review ever undertaken of the forest sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the involvement of countries through a dynamic process of consultation. The draft regional report was discussed at the Latin America and Caribbean Forestry Commission meeting in October 2004. The European Forestry Sector Outlook Studies, undertaken jointly with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), was reviewed by the joint session of the FAO European Forestry Commission /UNECE Timber Committee held in October 2004.

19. The Forestry Outlook Study for West and Central Asia is making substantial progress. Most countries participating in the study are preparing country outlook papers. During 2004 planning work shops were held in Beirut for the countries in West Asia, and in Budapest for countries in Central Asia and Caucasus. Technical and financial support was provided to the countries to prepare the country outlook papers.

20. Preparatory work to update the Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook study was initiated. The initial focus is to examine developments since the publication of the earlier outlook study in 1998 and to assess the deviation of developments from what was envisaged in the outlook. An auto-evaluation of forest sector outlook studies was completed.

21. The contribution of forestry to income and employment was analysed. The analysis considers trends in gross value added in the forestry sector, how it is distributed between wood production, wood industries and pulp and paper industry and the share of forestry in GDP and employment. Further analysis is related to how different forest owners capture economic benefits from forests. The results are presented in SOFO 2005. A more detailed assessment of the economic aspects of sustainable forest management is in progress.

22. In-depth studies on fiscal policies and forest revenue systems were conducted in a number of countries and technical advice provided to countries to improve revenue collection. A detailed analysis of pricing and royalty rates fixation was undertaken for Fiji. Support to improve revenue systems was provided to Suriname and Liberia. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, a study was initiated on the role of forestry in the alleviation of poverty, focusing on Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

23. With financial support from Japan, a detailed analysis of the linkage between trade and sustainable forest management was completed and the reports were made available through the FAO Website. A synthesis report summarising the major findings and recommendations was published.

24. Based on the Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire data on production, consumption and trade of all forest products were updated in the FAOSTAT up to the year 2003. The Yearbook of Forest Products was produced for 2001 and 2002, and the Yearbook pertaining to 2003 is under preparation. Pulp and paper capacity survey providing the current and projected capacity for pulp and paper production has been completed and published. Recovered Paper Data for 2003 was completed and published in 2004. Results were distributed through traditional publications, CD-ROMs, and on the FAO Forestry web-site.

25. In collaboration with the UNECE Timber Bureau analysis of the Forest Products Market Analysis was carried out for the years 2002-03 and 2003-04.

26. Best practices for forest harvesting and engineering were promoted including capacity building on the implementation of the Central and West African Harvesting Code and National Codes through a workshop, case studies and periodical information. FAO continued the work related with the development of guidelines and methodologies for environmental impact assessment of forest operations and established teams of specialists on gender aspects in forestry and on forest contractors.

27. Within the framework of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/Economic Commission for Europe/International Labour Organization (FAO/ECE/ILO) Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training, an international workshop on Forest operation improvements contributed to the implementation of advanced operations in small-scale private forest ownerships.

28. The non-wood forest products (NWFP) programme continued to serve as a global information exchange centre for methodologies and statistics on trade in NWFP; analysing the role and impact of certification schemes for NWFP for poverty alleviation and sustainable forest management; publication of technical documents and electronic list servers; and exploration of a global partnership on NWFP among key stakeholders. Technical assistance was provided to FAO member countries for the improved utilization of NWFP through TCPs and donor trust funds.

29. Wood energy planning and policy development activities were expanded with a focus on the utilisation of tools developed by FAO such as the “Woodfuel Integrated Supply-Demand Overview Mapping” (WISDOM) and the “Guide for wood fuels surveys”. These were successfully applied in Mexico, Slovenia, Mozambique, Senegal, and Chile. I-WEIS (Interactive Wood Energy Information System), a database on national production, trade and consumption of fuelwood, charcoal and black liquor (woodfuels) of approx 200 countries, was updated and upgraded.

30. In collaboration with partners (Institut de l’Énergie et de l’Environnement de la Francophonie (IEPF); International Energy Agency (IEA); West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU); and others) actions aimed to improve the Energy Information Systems in Senegal, Niger and Togo were initiated.

Programme 2.4.3 Forestry Policy and Planning

31. The National Forest Programme Facility (NFPs), an independent mechanism hosted by FAO, expanded its Partnerships to 36 countries and 2 sub-regional entities, aiming to enable governmental and civil society actors to successfully manage and develop nfp processes. The Facility’s "catalytic" support is focused on developing national capacities and on sharing information and knowledge about forests.

32. Cross-sectoral policy impacts between forestry and other sectors was published as a reference for policy decision-makers, followed by the publication of the “Manual on environmental and economic accounting for forestry”, which provides a tool for cross-sectoral policy analysis.

33. The analysis of issues related to law enforcement resulted in the development of Guidelines for Law Enforcement in the Forest Sector, which were produced jointly with ITTO. Law enforcement also continued to be supported through several TCP projects, for example in Mozambique and Costa Rica.

34. Assistance was provided for capacity building, especially in the area of forest policies, to Angola, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Gambia, Latvia, Mexico, Mongolia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey.

35. Regional workshops were held on trends in forest use and conservation, assistance to the private forestry sector in Central and Eastern Europe, and HIV/AIDS programming in the forest and environment sectors in Southern Africa.

36. Support to forests, poverty alleviation and food security, in collaboration with other organizations and member countries, including contributions to FAO’s Special Programme on Food Security, was continued. The development of community-based commercial enterprises was supported in Colombia, Uganda, China, the Gambia, and Central America.

37. Support to forestry research was provided through regional forest research networks in Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA) and Asia (APAFRI), which included the development of a FORNESSA website and regional workshops in Asia on the role of forest research in addressing global, cross-sectoral issues such as poverty alleviation and climate change. Studies were conducted on forest-related research capacity in Eastern Africa.

38. Activities in support to forestry education undertaken in collaboration with regional networks included surveys of trends in forestry education and training, the development of an action plan in East Africa, and an assessment of training needs and training workshops in Central Africa.

39. With the objective to link nfps actors and provide them with access to expertise in other countries, “communities of practice” (stakeholder networks) were established on financial mechanisms for sustainable forest development, stakeholder participation in nfps and HIV/AIDS and forestry. Recognizing that HIV/AIDS affects all economic sectors, a strategy to address the impacts in the forestry sector was developed and implemented through engagement with research and development partners, information exchange, and workshops.

40. The implementation of a forestry extension strategy focused on extension as a support function to facilitate knowledge and communication processes with an emphasis on small-scale producers; and the assessment of tools and methods of extension communication through symposia and publications.

41. Support was provided to the development of equitable and sustainable partnerships between smallholder producers and the corporate forestry sector through a joint FAO/CIFOR meeting and the ensuing publication “Towards equitable partnerships between corporate and smallholder partners - relating partnerships to social, economic and environmental indicators.”

Programme 2.4.4 Forestry Information and Liaison

42. FAO continued to support the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) through the secondment of a professional staff member the UNFF Secretariat, paid by FAO; and by preparing documents for consideration by the forum and in country-led initiatives. FAO supported the implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) proposals for action by supporting national forest programmes, through advice to member countries, and through regional workshops in Africa and the Near East. FAO chairs the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) and hosts the CPF web-site, the CPF portal, and the CPF sourcebook of funds for sustainable forest management. FAO chairs the CPF task force to streamline forest-related reporting. FAO continues to collaborate with CPF organizations on a wide range of activities, for example by hosting three expert meetings to harmonize forest-related definitions.

43. FAO continues to improve the world’s most comprehensive forest information system which is available through http://www.fao.org/forestry/index.jsp in five languages. The heart of the web-site is country information, including comprehensive statistics and description of the economic, environmental, social and institutional dimensions of forestry in every country, as well as links to national and regional web-sites. Through the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO), FAO publishes a comprehensive report on trends and data about forests in five languages. Through the quarterly journal Unasylva, FAO presents the latest news and information about the most important forestry topics of the day in three languages. FAO maintains the world’s most comprehensive agriculture and forestry library.

44. FAO has a decentralized organization with professional forestry officers in four regional offices, four sub-regional offices, and staff assigned to UN offices in New York and Geneva. In addition, FAO Representatives in approximately 100 countries assist with the operation of dozens of forestry field projects. The six FAO Regional Forestry Commissions have met a total of 127 times between 1948 and 2005. Other statutory bodies related to forestry meet on a regular basis, including the Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products, the Panel of Experts on Forest Genetic Resources, the International Poplar Commission, and Silva Mediterranea.

 

ANNEX 1

FOLLOW-UP TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SIXTEENTH SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY

The following table summarizes recommendations of the Sixteenth Session of the Committee on Forestry and the action taken or proposed.

RECOMMENDATIONS
ACTION TAKEN OR PROPOSED

The role of the Regional Forestry Commissions in implementing Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) proposals for action (Item 5)

1. Strengthen FAO Regional Offices to Support Regional Forestry Commissions

1. FAO increased by 11 % the forestry budget allocated to regional offices in 2004–05

2. Regional Forestry Commissions strengthen links with other regional organizations and processes.

Increase the participation of the private sector and NGOs in Regional Forestry Commissions.

Increase country capacity efforts.

2. In Africa the AFWC established a new technical committee with members of the Bureau and representatives of regional intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and private organizations.

In Latin America, the LACFC has promoted a close working relation with the Organization of the Amazon Treaty Secretariat (OTCA) especially in the validation of Criteria and Indicators for sustainable forest management (SFM).

In the Near East, the NEFC strengthened its links with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) and Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment & Development (AAAID).

In Asia and the Pacific, APFC expanded its work with ASEAN (implementing codes of practice for forest harvesting), RECOFTC (devolution) and CIFOR (forests and water); the APFC and the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network joined the Regional Alliance Against Hunger.
3. Regional Forestry Commissions support the implementation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) proposals for action and other internationally-agreed actions in countries.

FAO increase efforts to mobilize resources and provide information on sources of funding for countries to implement the IPF/IFF proposals for action.

 3. FAO organized regional workshops on implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action in Africa, Latin America and Asia, involving regional IGOs, NGOs and the private sector.

National workshops have been held in all regions on national forest programmes, participatory processes, poverty reduction and forest certification.

4. Encouraged FAO and other Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) members to help fund country efforts for sustainable forest management (SFM). 4. The CPF developed a comprehensive Sourcebook on Funding for SFM.
5. Regional Forestry Commissions facilitate the flow of information between the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and countries. 5. There is work in progress.
6. Regional Forestry Commissions increase awareness of the importance of SFM in countries. 6. Each Commission has been involved in promoting national actions toward SFM.

Forests and freshwater (Item 6)
7. FAO Facilitate improved national and international coordination in freshwater management. 7. FAO led a multi-partner stocktaking exercise about experiences in watershed management in order to define the next generation of watershed management programmes. A large number of countries and institutions participated in the process, including in four regional workshops and a global workshop.

FAO is implementing projects with a focus on forests and water in P.D.R. Korea, Tajikistan and in the Fouta Djallon region in Africa.

 FAO hosts the Mountain Partnership, which is developing an initiative on watershed management.

8. FAO report on linkages between forests and water in the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment. 8. A special study on Forest and Water will be included in the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment Update 2005.

National forest programmes as a mechanism to implement the key outcomes of the WFS:fyl and WSSD (Item 7)
9. FAO continue to support national forest programme processes.

National forest programmes should cover all types of forests and trees outside forests; contribute to socio-economic and environment goals; and be integrated with national development programmes and plans related to the management of other natural resources.

 9. The National Forest Programme Facility was launched with assistance from FAO to assist countries in starting or in implementing their national forest programmes (nfps). Assistance has been provided to integrate nfps into broader national strategies (poverty reduction in Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda, combating desertification in Mongolia), and to develop new mechanisms to fund forestry (payment of environmental services in Central America).

The NFP Facility has expanded its Partnership in 36 countries and two sub-regional entities, covering a wide range of forest and varied ecosystems for the benefit of the countries.

FAO TCP funds provide direct support to national forest programmes in an average of 10 new countries/year.

The FAO Regular Programme developed guidelines and provided direct support to many countries, and supported multiple stakeholder consultations in the design of nfps.


The future of forests: implications of the Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA) (Item 9)
10. FAO continue to support research institutions.

FOSA follow-up should include regular updates of country data and information to ensure their relevance for the development and implementation of strategies.

FAO and partners, including countries, promote the participation of stakeholders in national processes; continue to provide information on factors that affect poverty; and assist countries to build capacity for long-term strategic planning and sustained action.

FAO continue to disseminate information and reports on progress as a potential tool for others to replicate successful approaches and experiences.

 10. FAO has continued its support to the Forestry Research Network for Sub-Saharan Africa and individual research institutions.

Through support to national forest programmes, including direct support by FAO, support through the NFP Facility, and through the FAO/Netherlands Partnership Programme, FAO actively supports national efforts in many countries to increase participation in forest decision-making. “Participatory Forestry” is a programme element in FAO’s programme of work.

FAO actively supports education and extension programmes in many countries in Africa.


Review of FAO programmes in the forestry sector (Item 10)
11. FAO focus on its mandated role as a source of global forestry information, and continue to give high priority to forest resources assessments, emphasizing the importance of strengthening national capacities to collect and analyze information about forests, and of improving compatibility between national, regional and international assessments. 11. Monitoring, assessment and reporting is covered in more detail in document COFO 2005/8. FAO convened a CPF task force to develop a streamlined and integrated approach to forest-related information and reporting by countries. FAO continues to develop the world’s most comprehensive website about forests, built on country information.

FAO has actively promoted Model Forests and “In Search of Excellence” initiatives in Africa and Asia-Pacific through partnerships. The Forest Pest Management Network for Africa was revitalized, and the forest health information system was developed.

12. FAO continue its work on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; model and demonstration forests; participatory forests; forest fire control; wildlife management; forest biological diversity; forests and climate change; support to national forest programmes; the links between forests, forestry and poverty alleviation; trade and sustainable forest management and assistance to countries to prevent and control forest pests and diseases. 12. FAO co-hosted international conferences and three regional meetings on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management. A project was initiated to validate 15 priority indicators for the sustainability of the Amazon Forest. Publications were prepared with practical guidelines for use of criteria and indicators for forest management.
13. FAO work on simplifying the procedures and reducing the time frame required for obtaining its support. 13. The FAO field programme was stabilized after a period of decline due to reduced donor support. FAO has eliminated the backlog on TCP requests and has now received more TCP proposals than there are funds available.
14. FAO continue to give high priority to supporting forestry education, extension and research. It noted that FAO has a comparative advantage in these areas. 14. FAO continued to support regional forestry research networks in Asia and Africa. FAO initiated an assessment of training needs in the forest sector and provided technical assistance for improvement of national forest and environment education and curricula through field projects.
15. FAO forestry programme outputs for 2004-2005 and beyond clearly show linkages to the IPF/IFF proposals for action and the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity. 15. The FAO Forestry Programme of Work is directly relevant to the IPF/IFF proposals for action and the CBD expanded programme of work on forest biodiversity.
16. FAO, along with key partners (e.g. UNEP and UNCCD), provide technical support to low forest cover countries (LFCCs) for the sustainable management of forests and trees outside forests, rehabilitation of degraded lands, desertification control and strengthening national planning and institutional frameworks. 16. FAO provided assistance to the Tehran Process and to LFCC member countries.

UNEP and FAO jointly organized a regional workshop and launched a follow-up programme in support to Near East and African Low Forest Cover Countries (LFCCs).

FAO initiated a project to support Mali on these issues. FAO established a new “priority area for interdisciplinary action” (PAIA) for desertification.

17. FAO continue to serve as neutral forum for discussing issues related to forest certification schemes.
 17. FAO convened the first-ever meeting of the heads of major forest certification schemes to share information and experiences.
18. FAO support countries’ efforts in forest law enforcement.
 18. Together with ITTO, FAO is developing new guidelines for forest law enforcement.
19. FAO’s programme of work related to forests and climate change be expanded.
 19. FAO was actively involved in the evolution of the international work on forests and climate change, in collaboration with UNFCCC and the IPCC, with a focus on integrating climate change in FAO’s traditional fields of work.
20. FAO provide increased emphasis on socially and ecologically based fire management and foster information exchange, including at a regional level.
 20. Refer to COFO 2005/4 for a detailed discussion of FAO and forest fires. FAO helped to establish 12 ISDR Regional Wildland Fire Networks; FAO maintains a global database on fire policy and legislation; FAO maintains a global trilingual wildland fire terminology reference service.
21. FAO continue support to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and its leadership in the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and that these roles be continued and strengthened.
21. FAO continues to support the UNFF process through the preparation and review of documents and direct support to the UNFF Secretariat; FAO continues to chair the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
22. FAO continue to give high priority to criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management.
22. FAO maintained a lead role in the Criteria and Indicators process. In the last two years, FAO has co-hosted the CICI Conference and three regional workshops on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management. A project was initiated to validate 15 priority indicators for the sustainability of the Amazon Forest. FAO prepared publications on practical guidelines for use of criteria and indicators for forest management. FRA 2005 is being harmonized in reporting on the extent of forest resources, biological diversity, forest health and vitality and the productive, protective and socio- economic functions of the world’s forests.