Report of the Nineteenth Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission

Abstract

This publication reports the proceedings of the APFC session held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 26 to 30 August 2002. Representatives of 27 member countries participated in the session, along with United Nations specialized agencies, and intergovernmental and international non-governmental organizations. Delegates cited several common threats to the region’s forests, including continued deforestation and degradation of natural forests, competition from alternative land uses, poor timber harvesti ng practices, pests and diseases, forest fires and illegal logging. Two in-session seminars were held, one on the issues and threats associated with invasive species (plants, pests and diseases) and a second on the impact of incentives on the development of forest plantation resources in the Asia-Pacific region. The commission also presented and discussed two key issues: illegal logging and trade, and the increasing array of international forestry fora and the multitude of objectives and demands arising from them. The document lists a summary of the 29 recommendations made by the commission session on the topics discussed.