PLACE OF FORESTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEPAD

Secretariat Note

1. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is a strategic framework adopted by the African Union during its 37^thsummit in July 2001. Among the various sectoral priorities identified, agriculture and environment have the most bearing on forests and forestry in Africa. Within the framework of agriculture, the NEPAD Secretariat with the help of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has prepared the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). CAADP has focused on four pillars of agricultural development, namely: (a) land and water management, (b) rural infrastructure and trade related capacities for improved market access, (c) increased food supply and reduction of hunger and (d) agricultural research, technology dissemination and adoption.

2. Realizing the critical direct and indirect role of forestry, livestock and fisheries in contributing to food security, the agriculture ministers of Africa stressed the need to expand CAADP to address the development needs of those sectors. It was in pursuance of this that FAO initiated the process of developing a chapter on forests and forestry to be included in CAADP, giving due attention to the forestry proposals under the environmental initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

3. Taking advantage of the recently concluded Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA), FAO has provided technical assistance to the NEPAD Secretariat to develop the draft chapter on forestry. FAO contributions to this effort consisted of outlining the current status of forests and forestry; describing key issues and problems in the development of the sector; proposing a vision for forestry within the framework of NEPAD that links forestry with NEPAD strategies and priorities; and estimating resource requirements. This document specifically took note of the linkages with the four pillars of CAADP and the key elements contained in the NEPAD Environment Initiative.

4. The NEPAD Secretariat, supported by FAO through a TCP project, assumed the responsibility for wider peer review of the draft forestry chapter. Therefore, the document was sent to all countries and several institutions, including government agencies, academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector for input. As a result of comments received, the document was revised and is being presented in this in-session seminar by the NEPAD Secretariat.

5. The Commission may wish to review the current draft forestry chapter and provide views on ways to further improve the forestry component in the NEPAD framework.

6. Based on inputs received, the chapter will again be revised. Taking on board suggestions from relevant bodies of the NEPAD, it will then be incorporated into the companion volume of CAADP along with other components such as fisheries and livestock. In addition, efforts are underway to support countries to develop programmes and projects within the framework of the NEPAD.

7. The Commissionmay examine further measures to be taken to enhance the role of forests and forestry, including wildlife, in reaching the vision and accomplishing the strategies contained in the NEPAD framework. It may also advise FAO on how it and other partners could further support the process so that forestry is fully integrated into the national, sub-regional and regional development agenda.