Asia-Pacific Forestry Week: Forestry in a changing world

Hanoi - The world’s forests, and the strategies that are adopted to protect and manage them, are at a crossroads. Never before have the stakes been so high – we either collectively develop workable strategies – or suffer the consequences, FAO said today in underpinning the role of the first Asia-Pacific Forestry Week.

The most pressing challenges facing the Asia-Pacific forests go far beyond simply the trees and are entwined in a complex web of issues and concerns.

"In the past two or three years, forestry – along with agriculture – has returned to the international agenda", said He Changchui, assistant director-general and FAO regional representative for Asia and the Pacific. "Climate change, deforestation, poverty, food insecurity, water scarcity and loss of biodiversity are threats being felt globally and locally – and nowhere as strongly as in the Asia-Pacific region. For the foreseeable future, where climate change leads, forestry will follow."

Forestry Week will examine one of the most compelling challenges of our generation: climate change – and how forests can buffer the effects of global warning and forest management can be adapted in the face of a changing environment.

It is against this backdrop that representatives of governments, multilateral institutions and civil society are coming together for the first-ever Asia-Pacific Forestry Week.

This landmark event, held in Hanoi from 21 to 26 April 2008, represents a critical opportunity for charting the stewardship of the region’s forests and ecosystems over the next decade.

The week-long series of events will also tackle forest governance and possible approaches for addressing corruption and trade in illegal forest products.

"Emerging from Forestry Week will be a roadmap for how these issues can most meaningfully be addressed", added Patrick Durst, FAO senior forestry officer.

The stories, the snapshots and the strategies that will unfold over the course of Asia-Pacific Forestry Week will be precedent-setting. "Asia-Pacific Forestry Week: Forestry in a changing world" will be a watershed event helping to define and shape the future of Asia-Pacific forests.

Asia-Pacific Forestry Week is expected to attract over 600 participants from more than 50 countries. It is hosted jointly by the Vietnamese Government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It will be held at the National Convention Center in Me Tri, Tu Liem, Hanoi.

Journalists are invited to attend Forestry Week, starting with the opening ceremony on Monday 21 April 2008 at 09:00 hours. For further information contact:

For Vietnamese media:
Mrs Nguyen Thi Tuyet Hoa : Tel +84 (0)4 843 3400 ; Cell +84 (0)912 312 895 ; Fax +84 (0)4 733 0752 ; Email [email protected]
Ms Bui My Binh : Tel +84 (0)4 843 7450 ; Cell +84 (0)989 096 252 ; Fax +84 (0)4 733 0752 ; Email [email protected]

For international media:
Regan Suzuki : Cell +84 (0)944 017 838 ; Email [email protected]

More information at:
http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/44755/en/