MINISTERIAL MEETING ON FORESTS

on
International Cooperation on Sustainable Forest Management

PROVISIONAL ANNOTATED AGENDA

1. Opening of the Meeting

Statement by the Director-General.

2. Election of the Co-Chairs

The meeting will elect two Co-Chairs.

3. Adoption of the Agenda and Arrangements for the Meeting

The meeting will adopt the agenda and will be informed of the meeting procedures.

4. International Cooperation on Forest Fire Management

Fire is an important land management tool but careless or criminal use of fire as well as fires caused by lightning or other natural causes may have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires are major causes of forest degradation and may result in loss of human life, economic devastation, social disruption and environmental deterioration. The frequency, intensity and extent of damage from forest wildfires can be reduced through effective fire management, which includes fire prevention, fire preparedness and fire suppression.

Potential exists to increase cooperation at global and regional levels on forest fire management, including information and early warning systems, and fire prevention and control. The Ministers will be invited to consider initiating action to develop a global accord for international cooperation on forest fires.

5. Maintaining International Commitment to Sustainable Forest Management

At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, international commitment to sustainable forest management was confirmed and its role in sustainable development recognized. In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) reaffirmed the contribution of forest resources to energy, health, food security, water resources and conservation of biological diversity -- key elements of sustainable development that are also addressed by the Millennium Development Goals. These summits underscored the important contributions from all sectors in achieving sustainable development.

Various regional and global efforts, including the IPF/IFF/UNFF processes, are intended to help countries improve forest management. National commitments to develop and protect forest resources have increased over the past decade. Nonetheless forest degradation continues to be unacceptably widespread, in part due to forces outside the forest sector. Furthermore, the continued demand for land keeps deforestation at a high level in many regions. Addressing deforestation and forest degradation will require not only concerted efforts in sustainable forest management, but also stronger intersectoral cooperation, particularly at the national level.

Ministers will be invited to discuss ways to strengthen international cooperation to accelerate sustainable forest management and approaches to improve national intersectoral cooperation and coordination.

6. FAO’s work in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of countries and communities bordering the Indian Ocean that were affected by the tsunami that occurred on  26 December 2004

In response to the disaster, FAO fielded emergency coordinators and technical experts to assist governments and partners in the most affected countries in needs assessment and rehabilitation planning in the fishery, forestry and agriculture sectors. Local and international staff are cooperating closely with the UN country teams. In addition, FAO experts are working closely with their counterparts in other agencies. A dedicated web site has also been established (http://www.fao.org/tsunami/) to provide updated information on FAO’s situation analysis, response and links to the Organization’s technical web sites for specific technical advice, as well as to links to other relevant non-FAO web sites.

Much of the infrastructure destroyed by the tsunami was made of wood, including piers, bridges, boats, houses and other buildings, and many of the affected communities rely on fuelwood for heating and cooking. At the same time, mangroves and other coastal forests and trees were damaged by the tsunami. FAO is planning to carry out an in-depth assessment of these aspects, and a plan to support countries in their reconstruction efforts has been developed. Accordingly, the effects of, and response to, the tsunami will be examined at the 17th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry, which will be held from 15 to 19 March 2005, immediately after the Ministerial Meeting on Forests.

Ministers will be informed of forests’ contributions to the global humanitarian and reconstructions efforts, with the emphasis on forest resources and the need for wood products in reconstruction.

7. Adoption of a Statement of the Ministerial Meeting

8. Closure of the Meeting