Major Programme 2.4: Forestry

Distribution of Resources by Strategic Objectives

Major Programme 2.4

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

2.4.1

Forest Resources

2.4.2

Forest Products

2.4.3

Forestry Policy and Planning

2.4.4

Forest Programmes Coordination and Information

Legend

Greater than zero, less than US$ 1 million

US$ 1 million to 2 million

US$ 2 million to 4 million

More than US$ 4 million

Main Substantive Thrusts and Priorities

534. The rapid evolution of demands on the forestry sector presents challenges to countries to achieve sustainable management and conservation of forest resources, while ensuring that the social and economic needs of society are met. Most constraints and opportunities for forests and forestry are cross sectoral and inter-disciplinary in nature. In particular, there are critical links between forestry and food security. Forests provide a direct source of income for hundreds of millions of people, and hence play a major role in sustaining livelihoods and reducing poverty. They are a direct source of food for millions of people in the form of non-wood forest products (NWFP) and forage for animals. Healthy forests are essential to sustainable agriculture by conserving soils and providing clean water for drinking and irrigation. The environmental services of forests, including biodiversity, are increasingly valued. In effect, areas where deforestation has been most severe, are often among the poorest.

535. International concern about forest loss and degradation is being translated into political commitment to sustainable forest management, and international dialogue on forests will have even greater prominence in the near future, with the establishment of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the supporting Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) chaired by FAO. FAO will play a leading role in providing information and knowledge to support policy discussions and actions, as well as in monitoring progress made by member countries toward sustainable forest management and implementation of their commitments.

536. Recognising that countries themselves hold the key to successful action, FAO will aim to strengthen national capacities to address forest sector and inter-sectoral issues through participatory processes. A National Forest Programme Facility will be established in collaboration with key partners to support these efforts.

537. In relation to threats to fragile ecosystems, including mountain forests, upland watersheds, deserts and mangroves, particular emphasis during the biennium will be given to FAO's lead role in the International Year of Mountains (IYM) 2002, and to ensuring effective follow-up to new initiatives which are likely to arise from this event.

538. The Organization will continue to provide comprehensive and timely information about all aspects of forests - environmental, social and economic. The Committee on Forestry (COFO) called upon FAO to provide leadership in knowledge management, to facilitate international dialogue on forest definitions and terminology, to expand the scope and reliability of global forest resource assessments, and to ensure that information about forests is updated on a continuous basis with heightened participation of national institutions. Forest information will be made available to Members in all official languages through use of advanced information technology, as well as traditional media.

539. Natural and planted forests provide an important source of climatic stability through carbon sequestration. At the same time, forests are increasingly threatened by changes in climate, fire and pest outbreaks, and other catastrophic events. FAO will play a key role in synthesising research and disseminating timely and accurate information about forests and climate change. This work will be carried out within the context of international agreements related to climate change and in collaboration with the relevant secretariats. As requested by COFO, the Organization will also work with member countries to facilitate coordinated efforts to prevent and fight forest fires.

540. Critical support will be provided to the formulation and promotion of policies for sound development of forest-product industries and trade, including non-wood and wood-based forest products. Special emphasis will be given to the inter-actions between social, economic and environmental dimensions.

Resources and Structural Changes

541. The programme structure was further rationalised in the Medium Term Plan 2002-2007. The number of technical projects (TPs) and continuing programme activities (CPs) have been reduced from 21 to 14. This new structure will provide more flexibility by concentrating resources in relatively fewer entities. It is important to stress that the elimination of some entities does not imply cessation of work in related areas, as resources have been shifted and activities consolidated (cf. details below).

542. The overall net increase in resources under this major programme will strengthen a number of important priorities as recommended by COFO at its last two sessions. It will also permit the establishment of seven new professional posts, mostly at junior grade levels.

543. In Programme 2.4.1, Forest Resources, two entities have been removed in order to consolidate work on resource management in entity 241A1, and on resource conservation in entity 241A4. The reduction under entity 241P1, Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources, does not indicate a lower priority, but simply reflects the unusually high allocation in 2000-01 to finalise and publish the results of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000). Increased funding for entity 241S1 shows due emphasis on support to the field programme, direct advisory services to member countries, and inter-disciplinary work.

544. In Programme 2.4.2, Forest Products, two programme entities have also been removed in order to consolidate resources for normative work into three major areas: environmental aspects of forests; forest products information; and forest products utilisation. It should be noted that funds for the Forest Products Yearbook, including the development and maintenance of the statistical databases on forest products production, consumption and trade, have been shifted from Programme 2.4.3 to 2.4.2, hence most of the large increase in total resources in the latter, leading to an improved balance in programmes within Forestry. Entity 242S1 is also being strengthened.

545. The apparent reduction for Programme 2.4.3, Forestry Policy and Planning, masks a significant increase in funding for work to strengthen institutional capacities and national forest programmes in entities 243A3 and 243P1. Three entities, including two particularly small ones, have been eliminated in the interest of consolidation, while resources are shifted to 243A1, Forestry Sector Outlook Studies.

546. Under Programme 2.4.4, Forest Programmes Coordination and Information, additional resources will be used to increase the number of FAO languages in which key technical publications are issued and in the Forestry section of FAO's Internet website. It should be noted that the reduced provision for entity 244A1 does not mean lower priority to the support to international arrangements, as some related aspects, including support to national forest programmes, have been shifted from 2.4.4 to 2.4.3.

Programme 2.4.1: Forest Resources

241A1 - Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands

547. Objective: to support and increase national capacities to conserve, enhance and sustainably utilise natural forests and woodlands for the provision of a wide variety of goods and services.

548. Approach: agreement will be sought among the various regional and international processes on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, including key indicators for monitoring progress toward sustainable forest management at the international level and the incorporation of these indicators in national forest monitoring systems. At least two new sub-regional initiatives (Central Africa and Asia) will aim at increasing the area of forests under sustainable management through the promotion of model and demonstration forests, and the sharing of experiences and information through networking, coupled with new initiatives to address the special problems of countries with arid lands threatened by desertification. This TP will develop methodologies and best practices in silviculture and multi-purpose management of natural forests, including fragile ecosystems such as mountain forests and mangroves, and disseminate related guidelines, handbooks and case study reports. It will also cover: support to country driven regional action plans for management of forest genetic resources; secured web-based access to and enhancement of, the Global Information System on Forest Genetic Resources (REFORGEN); provision of an effective international coordination mechanism and relevant cooperative action for forest fires; and promotion of integrated pest management practices.

241A4 - Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems

549. Objectives: to identify constraints and facilitate the uptake of improved methods of biodiversity conservation and of sustainable use of forest and wildland animal resources; to enhance the protective role and functions of trees in fragile ecosystems and marginal lands and prevent erosion and control desertification; and to increase awareness of, and action on, sustainable mountain development issues, including integrated watershed management, especially in view of the observance of the International Year of Mountains 2002.

550. Approach: the TP includes dissemination of technologies and technical information on critical issues in fragile ecosystems, with special reference to mountains and drylands, including capacity building in countries and networking and a guide on best practices in watershed management. Pilot watershed management activities are to generate knowledge and information on, inter alia, highland-lowland linkages. Guidelines will support effective conservation and sustainable management of biological diversity, including wildlife, in forests and wildlands, together with inventories of research needs, training and support to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Other activities are capacity building through training materials and workshops at regional and country level, and support and reporting to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), Rio+10 and other Agenda 21 related processes, according to FAO's Agenda 21 task manager responsibilities. The TP will coordinate preparation for, and follow-up to, the International Year of Mountains 2002.

241A5 - Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests

551. Objectives: to support national efforts in planning, management and monitoring of forest plantations and trees outside forests (including agroforestry systems, and urban and peri-urban environments), through the adoption of best practices in seed handling and supply, tree improvement, nursery, silviculture, agroforestry practices and protection intervention.

552. Approach: the information collection and dissemination component will include databases on forest plantations and planted trees, and provision of information on appropriate tree planting materials and tree improvement technologies (including seed exchange networks, studies and guidelines and direct advice to national institutions) as well as on management of forest plantations and planted tree resources. National efforts will benefit from the formulation of land use planning and ecosystem conservation strategies through agroforestry and other tree-based systems outside forests, and of policies and programmes for the increased integration of trees in urban and peri-urban environments.

241P1 - Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources

553. Objectives: to systematically analyse, document and report on the status and trends in forest resources; to develop and update methods for forest inventory, analysis, assessment and monitoring based on common and agreed concepts and terms; and to strengthen national capabilities to assess forest resources and the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation.

554. Approach: global forest assessment work will continue to report on quantitative as well as qualitative information, including additional environmental, social and economic parameters. Improved Internet access to assessment results will be sought, including information on baseline data and maps on forest resources. This entity will further refine and disseminate methodologies for assessing changes in all types of forests and woodlands and support capacity building in selected countries on forest resources assessment and monitoring.

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels
Zero real growth (ZRG) provisions would entail the need to abandon the proposed establishment of one important new post of P-3 Forestry Officer (Wildlife Management) in the Regional Office for Africa. ZRG would imply an (delete)overall much reduced level under entity 241A4, Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems, and reductions in services to member countries under 241S1. The implementation of a coordinated international system in response to forest fires under project 241A1, Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands, would also be affected, together with support to networking, capacity building on forest surveys and monitoring under entity 241P1, Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources.

Extra-budgetary Resources

555. An increasing demand from Members is expected for support to the sustainable management and conservation of forest resources and trees outside forests. Areas which will be supplemented by extra-budgetary resources include: strengthening of national capacities to assess and monitor forest resources; the International Year of Mountains 2002, including follow-up actions in key countries; management, rehabilitation and conservation of forests in areas with threatened ecosystems, including dry zones, mangroves and mountain areas; development and implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management; assistance to countries in implementing model and demonstration forests; advice to countries on the development of effective agroforestry and other multi-disciplinary approaches; and development of effective tools and strategies for watershed management. Collaboration with member countries, Non-governmental Organizations and the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to address key issues related to forests and biodiversity may also attract extra-budgetary support.

Programme 2.4.2: Forest Products

242A1 - Environmental Aspects of Forests

556. Objective: to contribute to the analysis of the environmental dimension of forests and forest practices, including their impact on climate.

557. Approach: a major activity is the support to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), to be accompanied by workshops for capacity building on land use, land use change and forestry in relation to the Convention. Various publications are to be issued, e.g. forests' contributions to climate change mitigation, trade and marketing linkages to environmental issues, alternative systems for certification of sustainable forest management and a number of related meetings and/or seminars are to be held.

242P1 - Forest Products Information

558. Objective: to improve availability of, and access to, information on forestry sector utilisation, production, trade and marketing.

559. Approach: this entity will maintain the database of the global study on harvesting intensities and impact assessments. Publication outputs will include: two issues each of the Forest Products Yearbook, Non-Wood News, and the Recovered Paper Survey, four issues of Forest Energy Forum, as well as technical publications on forest harvesting and engineering intensities and related environmental impacts and unified measurements for rattan inventory, processing and trade and manual on non-wood forest products (NWFP) socio-economic assessment. An electronic network on forest energy will be supported, and updated wood energy information disseminated.

242P2 - Appropriate Utilisation of Forest Products

560. Objective: to develop and promote methodologies for best practices in forest utilisation covering harvesting, engineering, processing, trade, marketing of NWFP and wood energy.

561. Approach: codes of forest harvesting and engineering practices will be promoted, particularly in Africa and Latin America (including publications and workshops). Four studies will be carried out on environmentally sound harvesting and engineering in selected tropical countries, as well as a review on logging impacts in moist tropical forests. Two workshops will be held on forest products marketing, and forest products trade issues and an international expert consultation will address NWFP. Technical publications will cover: marketing of selected forest products and wood energy planning, while two issues of the Forest Harvesting Bulletin are foreseen.

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels
Programme 2.4.2 is only marginally affected by reductions from real growth (RG) to ZRG allocations.

Extra-budgetary Resources

562. There has been a gradual decline in requests for direct FAO support to forest industries, as this work has shifted to the private sector. At the same time, there is increasing interest from donors to support normative work in the following areas: forestry and climate change, including definitions and terminology (FAO's inter-disciplinary work in this field is coordinated by the Forest Products Division); analysis of environmental, economic and social aspects of trade in forest products. Extra-budgetary support is also expected for: the development of non-wood forest products and their contribution to food security and sustainable rural livelihoods; the development and analysis of wood energy systems; and the development and implementation of regional and national model codes of forest practices and reduced impact logging.

Programme 2.4.3: Forestry Policy and Planning

243A1 - Forestry Sector Outlook Studies

563. Objective: to facilitate long-term strategic forestry planning efforts, stimulate appropriate forestry policy reform in countries and to orient donor assistance and investment programmes to the needs of the forestry sector.

564. Approach: major outputs will be the State of the World's Forests (SOFO) 2003 which is also to be posted on the Internet, and the Forest Sector Outlook Study for Africa (including five sub-regional reports). Work will be initiated on the Forestry Sector Outlook Studies for Latin America and the Caribbean and for Europe (completion planned in the 2004-05 biennium). In addition, the TP carries out analytical activities related to long-term projections, descriptive scenarios and the quantitative implications of the long-term future of forests in society.

243A3 - Strengthening of Institutional Capacities at Country Level

565. Objective: to enhance institutional arrangements and legal instruments for the forestry sector at national level.

566. Approach: in collaboration with key partners, an important new activity is the establishment of a National Forest Programme Implementation Facility to provide effective coordination of international support to national capacities to achieve sustainable forest management. Also relevant to national capacity building are: planned analyses of institutional issues and dissemination of results to FAO Members and partners and ongoing support to regional and international cooperation and networking for enhanced capacity in forestry research, education and extension, as well as transfer of technology for sustainable forest management.

243P1 - Formulation of National Forest Programmes

567. Objective: to ensure that national forestry programmes maximise the contributions of the forestry sector to socio-economic development.

568. Approach: this entity will carry out continuous analysis of cross-sectoral linkages, influences and inter-relations between forestry policies and other national policies. It will facilitate national processes in countries to address inter-sectoral issues, also through workshops. The CP includes studies on key forestry policy issues such as: privatisation, decentralisation of policy decisions, impact on forestry of globalisation and integration processes, public policies affecting forest fires, and financing. Support to countries will also benefit from the formulation of updated guidelines and the regular dissemination of status information on the implementation of national forest programmes.

243P2 - Analysis of Economic Factors in Forestry

569. Objective: to help countries define forest policies and implementation procedures that are fiscally and economically sustainable, thereby supporting long-term strategic forestry planning efforts and appropriate forestry policy reform.

570. Approach: this CP will analyse further the analysis of fiscal measures and tenure arrangements that serve sustainable forest management, including cross-country comparison. It will issue technical guidelines on best practice in forest products pricing, forest tax regimes and incentives for forestry, and on how to incorporate forest externalities into forestry policies and national forest programmes, and generate investment in sustainable forest management. Manuals and training workshops on the use of economic tools in forest management decisions are also planned during the biennium.

243P4 - Participatory Forestry

571. Objective: to support both sustainable forest management and sustainable livelihoods, especially of the most vulnerable, through an enabling environment for participatory management of trees, forests, and other natural resources and increased capacity by the different actors, especially those most dependent on forest resources.

572. Approach: major activities will be the assessment and design of supportive policy frameworks, processes, and institutions; and the preparation and dissemination of materials on participatory approaches and programmes (including linkage between conservation and development, and pathways for effective decentralisation). This will be complemented by methodologies and guidelines for improving natural resource management and ensuring sustainable livelihoods, and effective tools for improving gender participation in forest decision making processes.

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels
The most critically affected entity would be project 243A3, Strengthening of Institutional Capacities at Country Level, as ZRG would detract from the implementation of the National Forest Programme Facility (also impacting on services provided under 243P1, Formulation of National Forest Programmes). Progress on the Latin American and Caribbean Forest Outlook Study would be slowed by reduced funding for project 243A1, Forestry Sector Outlook Studies.

Extra-budgetary Resources

573. International forest policy dialogue over the past decade has resulted in increasing demands on FAO to support national forestry policies and institutions, and to assist member countries in implementing proposals for action from the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF). As recalled above, the centrepiece of collaborative effort between FAO and external partners, is the National Forest Programme Facility. Extra-budgetary resources will continue to support increased participation of all sectors of society in forest decision developments; facilitate processes to achieve consensus and resolve conflicts; and enhance the contributions of forests to sustainable rural livelihoods and the reduction of poverty. Extra-budgetary support is also critical to carry out regional forest sector outlook studies in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Programme 2.4.4: Forest Programmes Coordination and Information

244A1 - Follow-up to UNCED and International Forestry Processes

574. Objective: to provide coordinated inputs and support to international processes and initiatives affecting the forestry sector.

575. Approach: analytical studies of key issues and other background documents will be required to support the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). This work will be coupled with technical and policy-related studies in the context of the Work Plan of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), chaired by FAO, with lead agency responsibility for agreed subject matter areas. At more local level, this TP will provide assistance to member countries in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) proposals for action, which will contribute to the development of an effective international monitoring and reporting mechanism. The TP will also ensure: coordinated forestry inputs to international conventions, including those on biodiversity, desertification, and climate change; and periodic reports to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) on the implementation of two chapters of Agenda 21 for which FAO is the task manager - Chapter 11 (Combating Deforestation) and Chapter 13 (Sustainable Mountain Development).

244P1 - Forestry Information

576. Objective: to disseminate forestry-related data, information and knowledge to a wide range of users.

577. Approach: two important ongoing activities are the Forestry Information System (FORIS), with Internet-based tools to facilitate distributed "ownership" and remote entry of data by countries and partner organizations; and updating of the Forestry section of FAO's website, including balanced use of FAO languages. This CP also covers advisory services to, and institution-building in, countries for the management of forest-related data, information and knowledge, particularly through technical backstopping of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO)/European Commission project "Mobilizing scientific information on forests to promote their sustainable management in ACP countries". Eight issues of Unasylva are included, as well as other more specifically targeted information materials.

244S1 - Support to Statutory Bodies and Liaison with the Regional Offices

578. The following sessions of FAO Statutory Bodies in forestry are to be organised: Sixteenth session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO); six Regional Forestry Commissions; the Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products; the International Poplar Commission; Silva Mediterranea; the Working Group of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission; and the Panel of Experts on Forest Genetic Resources.

579. In addition, this entity will coordinate the implementation of forestry programmes across Headquarters and Regional and Sub-regional Offices, support FAO staff seconded to other organizations and, in collaboration with the Government of Canada, provide secretariat services to the XII World Forestry Congress to be held in Québec City, 21-28 September 2003.

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels
The lower allocation under entity 244P1, Forestry Information, would constrain the increased language coverage for key technical publications and in the forestry pages of FAO's website.

Extra-budgetary Resources

580. As FAO will play a leading role in support to international forest processes, including the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, extra-budgetary support is expected to enhance FAO's contributions, including the development and implementation of effective approaches for monitoring, assessing and reporting on progress toward sustainable forest management, implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for action, and implementation of the UNFF Plan of Action.

Programme 2.4.9: Programme Management

581. This programme covers the immediate Office of Assistant Director-General (FOD), including the Programme Coordination Unit (FODP), the offices of division directors and those parts of the Regional Office direction attributable to forestry activities.