1.     INTRODUCTION

The Regional Coordination Workshop on Rehabilitation of tsunami-affected forest ecosystems: strategies and new directions was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and held from 07 to 08 March 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. The overall goal of the workshop was to strengthen and enhance rehabilitation efforts in the tsunami-affected areas to provide for a better future for people living in coastal areas.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

• exchange information and knowledge related to the impacts on forest ecosystems and the effective rehabilitation of forest ecosystems in tsunami-affected areas;
• strengthen coordination and collaboration of national, regional and international agencies involved in forest rehabilitation and management of tsunami-affected areas; and
• develop a mechanism for coordination and action to be taken at the regional level to support the rehabilitation of tsunami-affected forest ecosystems and to address other forest-related issues in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

The workshop brought together 15 national representatives from seven countries^[1] (India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) affected by the 26 December 2004 tsunami in Asia. They were joined by about 30 representatives from international and regional organizations. The workshop provided participants the opportunity to share information, collectively assess initial findings related to rehabilitation needs and opportunities, share plans and proposals for future rehabilitation work and develop mechanisms for collaboration and joint activities.

Mr He Changchui, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific made a welcoming speech. He emphasized the importance of effectively pooling resources, information and technology for rehabilitating the forest and tree ecosystems along the tsunami-affected coastal areas, and called for a coordinated effort by all parties concerned. After an introduction to the workshop by Mr Patrick Durst, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, five invited speakers set the scene with the following presentations:

• the role of mangroves and other vegetation in protecting against tsunamis and tidal surges;
• integrated coastal zone management;
• the assessment of the impacts of the tsunami on coastal vegetation; and
• the assessment of wood use and needs in the region for reconstruction.

During an open forum, participants from seven of the affected countries described rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. In particular, they highlighted the role of forests and trees in the overall rehabilitation approaches taken in their respective countries, ongoing and planned activities, key challenges to be addressed and the potential role of, and expectations from, strengthened regional coordination from a national perspective.

The representatives from international and regional organizations had the opportunity to outline ongoing and planned activities. In addition, several speakers presented ideas for better coordination at national and regional levels.

Based on the presentations, discussions and ideas expressed, participants were divided into three topical working groups to:

• discuss the development of a coordination mechanism;
• elaborate a common vision and principles that should guide forest-related rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the region; and
• formulate recommendations for strengthening coordination efforts in the region (elaborated further below).

^[1] The participant of Bangladesh was unable to attend.