Strengthening Synergies between FAO’s ACPWP and ICFPA
Discussion Paper prepared by
A. Lazar,
President, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
1 The Partners
The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) is comprised of the vast majority of the world’s private sector paper and wood industries. ICFPA pursues common interests and common positions on global matters related to forestry.
The FAO Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products (ACPWP) is a private sector advisory body chosen by FAO which provides advice and assistance on FAO projects and seeks FAO assistance for private sector concerns.
2 Current Situation
There is considerable overlap in the agendas and the memberships of the two organizations, but roles are distinct.
ICFPA includes a broader cross section of private sector organizations which are selected by industry and not by government.
The ACPWP’s priorities and requests to FAO emerge for the most part from the largely overlapping membership of the ICFPA meeting immediately preceding the ACPWP meeting.
3 Proposals for streamlining
• Differentiate functions
- By choosing which topics are dealt with in each forum.
• Complement each other on shared functions
- By ensuring the ACPWP only looks at what the FAO wants advice on or the private sector wants assistance on.
• Rationalize the two organizations
- By having ICFPA members meet “formally” as ACPWP for the purpose of advising FAO that would entail 24 ICFPA members participating in an official capacity and the others in a non-official capacity.
4 Questions for Discussion
• Are members happy with the way the ACPWP is now?
• What form of rationalization would be most useful?
