I. MAJOR TRENDS IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (continued)
I. PRINCIPALES TENDANCES ET POLITIQUES EN MATIERE D'ALIMENTATION
ET D'AGRICULTURE (suite)
I. PRINCIPALES TENDENCIAS Y POLITICAS EN LA AGRICULTURA
Y LA ALIMENTACION (continuación)

6.4 Forestry (Tenth World Forestry Congress)
6.4 Forêts (Dixième Congrès forestier mondial)
6.4 Silvicultura (Décimo Congreso Forestal Mundial)

C.H. MURRAY (Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department): This item is dealt with in document C 91/29, and with your agreement, Sir, I would only dwell on the more salient features.

As distinguished delegates know, the Tenth World Forestry Congress was hosted by the Government of France. It was inaugurated by Mr François Mitterand, President of the Republic of France in the presenceof Mr Louis Mermaz, Minister of Agriculture and Forests of France, Mr Jacques Delors, President of the European Economic Commission, and Mr Edouard Saouma, Director-General of FAO, all of whom delivered keynote addresses.

The Congress also heard keynote speeches from His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, who is also Honorary President of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, and also from Mr Maurice Strong, the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, as well as a number of other eminent personalities.

World Forestry Congresses are convened every six years and represent the most important gatherings of the international forestry community. Participation in the Paris Congress what the highest ever, with some 2 700 participants from 136 countries. There were in attendance 30 Ministers and 12 Vice-Ministers; and representatives from many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

As is customary, the host Government, France, through the various Ministries and institutions involved, was responsible for all the physical and logistic arrangements which were coordinated by a specially established Congress Organizing Committee. FAO provided professional and technical inputs through an associate secretariat located in and supported by the Forestry Department.

The arrangements for the Tenth Congress were marked by an exceptionally close relationship between the French technical secretaries and their FAO counterparts throughout the preparatory stages, and during the Congress itself.

The Congress was held in a most serious and positive atmosphere. Preparations had included the review of some 1 200 invited and voluntary papers, some 400 of which had been edited and published as a set of eight volumes and distributed to participants on registration at the Congress in Paris. It was the first time in the history of these meetings that the Congress documentation was available at the commencement of the meeting. This innovation was highly commended by all and helped to enrich the discussions. The final volume of the proceedings of the Congress itself will be available early in 1992.

The overall Congress organization and arrangements could be described only in superlatives. The extensive use of audio visuals enlivened the sessions. Press coverage was especially good in France and in Europe generally, and contributed significantly to the achievement of one of the goals of the

Congress, that of dissemination of information to the general public. A wide range of satellite meetings served to extend the scope of the topics covered at the Congress and also provided opportunities for the gathering of a diversity of interest groups, including NGOs.

The theme of the Congress was: Forests, a Heritage for the Future. Deliberations were organized according to six discussion areas broken down into 25 themes and some 104 topics.

The Congress addressed the major challenges facing the forestry profession and forestry practice today: deforestation and degradation of forests; desertification; the sustainable management of forests - including their interactions with climate change and air pollution. The fundamental issue with which the Congress was confronted was how forests could contribute to development and socio-economic progress, while also ensuring their conservation. The sustainable management of forests and better utilization of forest products, both wood and non-wood, in order to respond to the growing and diversified needs of society received endorsement.

The need for reliable and timely information on the state of forests and of global forest cover was stressed. The Congress underlined the need for continuous monitoring of the resources and specially recognized FAO's work on the global forest resources assessment.

The deliberations of the Congress, according to the discussion areas and technical topics, resulted in a series of conclusions and recommendations primarily directed to forestry practitioners and professionals.

In addition, the Congress endorsed, by acclamation, the Paris Declaration which is reproduced as Appendix A of the document before us C 91/29. The Declaration solemnly calls on decision-makers to commit themselves to greening the world through afforestation, reforestation and sustainable forest management.

Policy-makers were also exhorted to limit all emissions of pollutants that damage forests, and contain emission of greenhouse gasses; secondly, to strengthen international cooperation particularly in the framework of the Tropical Forests Action Programme, the Mediterranean Forest Action Programme or other programmes; thirdly, to work toward harmonious development of international trade in forest products through the prohibition of any unilateral restriction not in conformity with GATT; fourthly, to integrate its conclusions and recommendations into the process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development scheduled for Brazil in 1992; and finally, to raise the awareness of and inform the public, particularly the young generation, on forest issues so that they will be better informed and the issues will be appreciated by all.

It was gratifying for the Secretariat to note the specific recognition given by the Paris Congress to FAO's work on forest resources assessment which represented international endorsement of the Organization's efforts in this field.

The Congress also recognized FAO's central role in forestry and invited the Organization to monitor the follow-up to its recommendations; and in this connection, the Secretariat is encouraged by the remarks made by His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture and Forests of France who, when

he addressed the Plenary, indicated willingness to collaborate with FAO in following up the conclusions and recommendations of the Congress.

At the closing session, three countries offered to host the next, Eleventh, Congress, namely Chile, Senegal and Turkey.

Before closing, I should like, on behalf of the Director-General and the Secretariat to pay special tribute to the host country, France, and to all those institutions and individuals which contributed to the success of this considerable undertaking. Special appreciation goes to the Organizing Committee, to the French Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, to its Office national des forêts, and more generally to the many other national institutions which were involved. Due cognizance must also be taken of the efforts and contributions of foresters from practically all countries of the world without whose participation the Congress would have been hollow.

The Secretariat is ready to answer any questions or clarify any points which members may have with respect to the Congress.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I should like to thank Mr Murray, the Assistant Director-General and the Director of the Forestry Division, for his introduction to this item. Now I should like to open the floor for any comments on this item.

Amor BEN ROMDHANE (Tunisie) (Langue originale arabe) : Je voudrais tout d'abord remercier Monsieur Murray pour sa présentation de ce point de l'ordre du jour. C'est une occasion propice pour notre délégation d'exprimer notre considération pour les efforts positifs déployés par la FAO afin de préparer le dixième Congrès forestier mondial réuni à Paris.

Nous exprimons également notre considération au Gouvernement français qui a accordé à cette question toute son attention et a mobilisé au service de ce Congrès toutes les possibilités humaines et matérielles faisant ainsi de cette réunion une manifestation internationale qui rend honneur à la République française à laquelle nous devons exprimer notre respect et notre considération.

Le Président Ben Ali, Président de la République tunisienne, avait abordé la question des forêts dans son allocution prononcée à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale de l'alimentation sur le thème: "L'arbre, source de vie", le 16 octobre 1991, invitant à la préparation d'un pacte de coopération en tant que moyen pour cette génération de préserver les forêts en tant que source naturelle vitale pour les générations futures.

La communauté internationale devra fournir les assistances financières et techniques nécessaires afin de consolider le développement forestier, surtout dans les pays en voie de développement.

Le dixième Congrès forestier mondial a abouti à une série de recommandations et de résultats qui ont été inclus dans la Déclaration de Paris, qui nous impose à tous la nécessité de demander à la FAO de prendre les mesures nécessaires pour son suivi et pour informer les différentes organisations gouvernementales ainsi que notre Conférence des résultats de ce Congrès.

Cela nous pousse à inviter le Secrétariat à rechercher des sources de financement budgétaire et extrabudgétaire à cet effet.

Convaincue de l'importance de cette question, la Tunisie a parrainé une résolution, en coopération avec l'Allemagne et le Malawi au sujet de l'approbation de la Déclaration de Paris et demande au Secrétariat de mettre au point le texte d'une résolution et de le soumettre aux membres de cette Commission, espérant que cette résolution trouvera un appui de tous nos collègues pour servir au mieux les intérêts de notre humanité.

Si vous le désirez, je suis prêt à vous donner lecture de ce projet de résolution.

CHAIRMAN: I would like to thank the delegate of Tunisia. You may, if you wish, read to us the Draft Resolution and we will pass it on to the Resolutions Committee for them to consider it further.

Amor BEN ROMDHANE (Tunisie) (Langue originale arabe): Projet de résolution en appui de la Déclaration de Paris du dixième Congrès forestier mondial, présenté par l'Allemagne, la Tunisie et le Malawi:

Prenant en consideration l'importance du dixième Congrès forestier mondial qui s'est tenu à Paris, en France, en septembre 1991, ayant pour sujet: la forêt, patrimoine de l'avenir, de manière à préserver ce patrimoine,

Rappelant qu'elle avait attiré l'attention sur les dangers de la deforestation et qu'il est devenu nécessaire de préserver les forêts et de les exploiter de manière rationnelle,

Exprimant sa conviction que cette génération se devra en tant que responsable de préserver les forêts ayant une importance vitale pour les générations futures,

Constatant avec satisfaction la reconnaissance par le dixième Congrès du rôle de la FAO dans le domaine forestier,

1) Exprime son appui entier à la Déclaration de Paris.

2) Exhorte les pays membres ainsi que les organisations et les individus à répondre à l'appel du dixième Congrès forestier mondial en prenant les mesures nécessaires pour répondre au renouvellement des forêts et en tenant compte des services rendus par les forêts d'une manière susceptible de préserver ces forêts et de prendre les mesures nécessaires compatibles avec les décisions du dixième Congrès forestier mondial.

3) La communauté internationale devra donc fournir les assistances financières et techniques aux pays en voie de développement ainsi qu'aux pays qui traversent une période de transition économique afin de les aider à préserver leurs forêts.

4) Exhorte tous les pays à encourager l'utilisation rationnelle des produits forestiers et à développer le commerce international de ces produits sans aucune restriction.

5) Demande à l'Organisation de prendre les mesures nécessaires concernant les informations telles que mentionnées dans la résolution du dixième Congrès forestier mondial et de participer au suivi de l'exécution des décisions de ce Congrès dans les limites de ses ressources.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabie): I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Tunisia. We would like to have a copy of the text of your Resolution so that it will be possible to submit it to the Resolutions Committee. I would now like to give the floor to Senegal.

Amadou Moustapha CÁMARA (Sénégal): Laissez-moi me réjouir de la qualité du rapport du dixième Congrès forestier mondial tenu à Paris du 17 au 26 septembre 1991 et d'en féliciter M. Murray, le Secrétariat et le Département des forêts de la FAO.

Ce Congrès a été un grand moment autant par le nombre et la qualité des participants que par la pertinence des conclusions auxquelles il a abouti.

Je voudrais à ce stade rendre hommage au Gouvernement français pour toutes les dispositions prises pour faire de cette rencontre la réussite que l'on connait.

En effet, par la Déclaration de Paris, le Congrès a lancé un appel solennel aux décideurs pour qu'ils s'engagent à reverdir par diverses mesures le globe.

Je voudrais à ce niveau refléter à nouveau une préoccupation que le Gouvernement du Sénégal, à l'occasion de ce Congrès, a soulignée à Paris, touchant l'étroite relation qui existe entre la nécessité d'augmenter la productivité des terres arables par unité de surface, donc d'intensifier 1 agriculture par l'utilisation plus soutenue de facteurs modernes de production d'une part, et l'urgence à protéger et à développer les forêts d'autre part.

Cette question est fondamentale pour le Sahel et dans toutes les régions du monde où l'agriculture doit couvrir les besoins d'une population en expansion.

Enfin, je voudrais saisir l'occasion qui m'est offerte aujourd'hui pour confirmer que mon pays, le Sénégal, serait heureux de pouvoir accueillir à Dakar le onzième Congrès mondial forestier.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabie): Thank you very much, Senegal, for that statement. I would also like to thank you for the invitation to welcome us to the Eleventh World Forestry Congress. I now give the floor to the distinguished delegate from Trinidad and Tobago.

Winston R. RUDDER (Trinidad and Tobago): Thank you, Mr Chairman, for permitting Trinidad and Tobago to intervene on this agenda item on behalf of the Member Nations of the CARICOM region of Latin America and the Caribbean. First of all, our thanks to the Secretariat for the lucidity of the presentation of this particular item. Secondly, we wish to extend, as have others before us, our gratitude to the Government of France for having undertaken and implemented the Tenth World Forestry Congress. This is of great significance to us since, small though we may be, we understand fully the importance and significance of forestry in the whole development process, particularly those of us who have limited resources. Our interest on this agenda item lies in the Paris Declaration emanating from the Congress. The Declaration is a very comprehensive yet concise summary of its conclusions and recommendations, embodying a set of principles to which we should all adhere. We note in particular the call to action issued to decision-makers, enjoining them to commit themselves to the greening of the world through a wide array of programmed actions. It is gratifying to observe that such actions as are implied and intended therefrom constitute a reaffirmation of decisions and declarations that we ourselves have made as members of this august assembly of nations. Accordingly, it is with justifiable pride and a sense of satisfaction that we note also the recognition given during the Congress to FAO's work in the area of forestry development.

Mr Chairman, the Declaration speaks very directly to the need to strengthen international cooperation inter alia specifically in the framework of the Tropical Forests Action Programme (TFAP). In this regard we wish to endorse this appeal on behalf of all developing tropical countries who have been participants in the TFAP.

To many of us TFAP represents a last hope and a major vehicle for mobilizing resources for forestry development in its several manifestations: exploitation of forest products, preservation of protected areas, wildlife management, watershed management, etc. Many of us have entered as partners and cooperators in the TFAP process on the understanding that diagnosis and analysis would have been followed promptly by implementation and execution, that the modalities of the TFAP process would be a key to unlock the resources required for TFAP implementation. Unhappily the rhetoric, and indeed our expectations, have not been matched by action and resource support. My delegation sincerely hopes that the several significant and influential international actors who participated in the Tenth World Forestry Congress, and who adopted by acclamation the Paris Declaration with all its implications, would find a way to rescue the TFAP by committing required levels of technical and financial resources to facilitate continuing implementation of TFAP-induced and identified programmes and projects.

Mr Chairman, my delegation notes that the Paris Declaration calls for comprehensive and integrated action for forestry development. This we fully endorse. It also refers to actions being undertaken within the context of the UNCED. We wish to advise however that as important as the UNCED is, and of that there is no doubt, there is life before UNCED and there will be life after UNCED. These global summits are milestones to mark progress and chart new courses. However, it is the actions translated therefrom that we pursue on a continuing basis which make the difference to the lives and welfare of people. In this regard, it would be tragic if actions which we should take now to get the TFAP back on track be suspended implicitly or

explicitly, pending the deliberations of UNCED. TFAP was spawned out of a crisis; the crisis still exists, and the time for action was yesterday. We subscribe to the tenets of the Paris Declaration and endorse them for consideration and adoption by Member Nations.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank the distinguished delegate of Trinidad and Tobago, and I would agree when he said that the world existed certainly before UNCED and will continue to exist after that Conference is held. Obviously our main goal is to achieve our objective. Let me now give the floor to Pakistan.

S. NAJMUS-SAQIB (Pakistan): We in Pakistan are keenly interested in forestry and the related issues of environment; and also try to effectively participate, at appropriate levels, in all deliberations on the subject. At the Tenth World Forestry Congress, Pakistan was represented by an eight-member delegation headed by our Food and Agriculture Minister.

The Tenth World Forestry Congress tended to highlight crucial and important aspects of forests in developmental and environmental effects, and laid the basis for further dialogue and deliberations. We take this opportunity to felicitate both the Government of France and the FAO for making this event a success.

The importance of forests as a source of economic, social and cultural wealth, as well as a vital component of the ecological balance of the biosphere, cannot be denied. There is need for coordinated action for the protection of environment and forests. All countries must jointly work towards this end, as each country has an equal right to determine its own respective priorities and programmes as these relate to its own respective natural resources, including forests.

In present times, issues relating to forestry have a global dimension as well, due to the impact of forests on climate change and conservation of biological diversity. However, the unfortunate part is that the question of the development and conservation of forests has moved from the technical and professional level to the international political agenda; - and politics, interestingly, has its own peculiar dimensions. Resultantly, the issue has been growingly politicized.

Perhaps the good part is that, at the same time, awareness in this respect has also been growing: the critical role that forests play in maintaining the health and stability of the Earth's environment has been recognized. Perhaps for this reason, amongst the issues being addressed in the preparation for the United Nation's Conference on Environment to be held at Rio in June 1992, forestry is central to a variety of concerns for sustainable development. Primary attention is now focussing on the role of forests as 'sinks for absorption and storage of carbon dioxide, and as the primary source of biodiversity and genetic resources - which is essentially the ecological role of forests'. Forests thus figure prominently in all conventions dealing with climatic changes and biodiversity.

In the backdrop of the above concerns, the Tenth World Forestry Congress in Paris, managed to bring together on a single platform a large number of scientists, forestry professionals and experts, policy makers - and

politicians. The final Declaration of the Congress highlighted the various roles that forestry plays, including economic, social and ecological. The role of forests as being beneficial for mankind alongwith the need for their conservation as a heritage was recognized. Their recommendations laid the basis for further objective studies and dialogue.

We in Pakistan have been able to develop the National Forestry Action Plan, which operates both at the federal and provincial levels. It calls for forest conservation, development, extension and research. It also deals with desertification, water-logging and salinity by providing adequate tree cover.

Mr Chairman, before I end, two observations are made: while formulating global policies on forestry and environment, it should be considered that:

1. Developing countries have a right to their sovereign forests in the first instance; they are as much interested, perhaps more so,in the conservation, and sustainable development of their own forests, as anyone else. Therefore, all policies must be jointly worked-out and formulated- policies to be sustainable and workable must never be thrust upon the developing countries.

2. While preparing any policy the peculiar conditions of want and hunger prevailing in the developing countries must never be overlooked.

Vishnu BHAGWAN (India): Thank you, Mr Chairman. My delegation would like to thank Mr Murray for presenting a very brief and pointed report on the Tenth World Forestry Congress. We wish to pay our tribute to the Government of France for having hosted the Congress in a most commendable manner.

India's delegation was led by the Minister for Environment and Forests and included our Inspector-General of Forests and several heads of State Forest Services, research institutions and university faculties. They have benefited immensely from it and also contributed in their own measure to the grand success of the Congress. We also wish to compliment FAO and particularly those officers who were directly concerned with the organization of the Congress.

Mr Chairman, we believe that the conclusions and recommendations of the Congress are of fundamental importance for the future sustainable development and conservation of forests and related resources. We attach particular importance to the clarion call given by the Congress for the greening of the world. We would, therefore, be interested that all necessary measures are taken for the follow-up and implementation of this and other conclusions of the Paris Conference, so that the collective wisdom of the specialists and other Congress participants is converted into action-oriented programmes and projects. We fully support FAO's endeavour in this regard and look forward to positive results.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic) : I would like to thank the distinguished representative of India for his very brief and complete statement. I hope that all other delegations will be able to follow his example and be brief, particularly in the light of the limited time available to us.

Yavuz YÜKSEL (Turkey): Mr Chairman, I would like to thank you for giving me the floor. I would like to thank Mr Murray, Assistant Director-General for the Forestry Department of FAO, for his clarifying introduction concerning the Tenth World Forestry Congress. I would like to convey our thanks to the French Government for successfully hosting the Tenth World Congress in Paris.

I would like to express with pleasure that we welcome and support the conclusions and recommendations stated in the Paris Declaration of the Tenth World Forestry Congress. During this Congress, deliberations revolved around the general theme "Forests, a Heritage for the Future" and conservation, protection and management of this heritage received major attention. In this connection, recommendations were made to give emphasis to the activities on afforestation, reafforestation and sustainable resource management. In addition, remarks were also made on the immportance of the "Mediterranean Forestry Action Plan" in the context of the Tropical Forestry Action Programme.

For many years in Turkey several work programmes in line with similar principles to those stated in the Paris Declaration have been implemented over large areas covering extremely diversified ranges of ecological conditions.

It may be worthwhile to point out that, today some 10 000 plant species exist in Turkey, of which some 3 000 are endemic. From the forestry point of view, it may attract global interest that natural forests with their biological diversity still exist in Turkey. Such a rich ecological environment creates an excellent workshop for foresters to study, to learn and to work. As a matter of fact, several of the inter-regional training activities under TCP were undertaken in our country which took excursion and study tours in the workshop mentioned above.

In the opinion of the participants and FAO Secretariat, these training activities have been effective in strengthening regional cooperation and exchanging information among respective countries. From this standpoint and in line with the recommendations stated in the Paris Declaration, we are prepared to make further contribution to technical cooperation activities by establishing an international training centre on forestry in Turkey.

Mr Chairman, during the closing session of the Tenth World Forestry Congress in Paris the Turkish delegation proposed to host the Eleventh World Forestry Congress. As you know, world forestry congresses have never been held in our region. Therefore, the Turkish delegation renews their invitation to host the next World Forestry Congress in Turkey where West meets East.

CHAIRMAN: I would like to thank the distinguished delegate of Turkey, and allow me to thank you as well for your kind invitation to host the next International Congress on Forestry.

David JOSLYN (United States of America): Thank you very much, Mr Chairman. The United States participated fully in the Tenth World Forestry Congress

in Paris and would like to commend the Government of France and the organizing Committee for the very interesting and productive Congress.

During the Congress United States worked with other members to develop the Paris Declaration and joined the consensus at that time in giving our full support to the Declaration. Therefore, we encourage this Conference to endorse this Declaration and direct the FAO Secretariat to support the conclusions and recommendations of that Declaration.

Mr Chairman, my delegation is sympathetic with the idea put forward by the delegates of Tunisia of a resolution endorsing the Paris Declaration, but to the extent that this resolution goes beyond a simple endorsement of the Paris Declaration we would need to study further the exact language of this resolution.

We also agree with the delegate of Trinidad and Tobago that the revamping and strengthening of the tropical forestry action programme can be delayed no longer if this programme is to fulfil its promises.

Mr Chairman, many of the important recommendations included in the Declaration of Paris will be included in Agenda 21 and Declaration of Principles on Forests presently being negotiated within the preparatory process for UNCED, a process that my Government hopes will result in renewed and increased dynamism on global forestry issues.

Thank you very much.

CHAIRMAN: I would like to thank the distinguished representative of the United States. We will, of course, submit the proposed resolution that has been put forward by Tunisia, and it will be submitted to the Resolutions Committee and placed for support for the Member States.

David DRAKE (Canada): Thank you, Mr Chairman. Mr Chairman, the Canadian delegation welcomes this item and would like to thank the Secretariat for preparing this document, as well as for its important contribution to the Congress.

We also thank Mr Murray for his clear introduction. First and foremost, however, the Canadian delegation would like to reiterate its deep appreciation to the Government of France for hosting this important and highly successful gathering of world foresters. The Canadian delegation led by Minister of Forestry Oberle, played an active part in the deliberations of the Congress.

Mr Chairman, Canada's deep commitment to the conservation and sustainable management and development of forests derives from our recognition of a wide range of economic, social, cultural, spiritual and environmental aspects of forests for our country and the rest of the world.

Our concern for forests in sustaining human existence was recently highlighted when, on the occasion of World Food Day, Canadian Minister of Agriculture McKnight addressed the UN General Assembly on the theme of "Trees for life".

Mr Chairman, my delegation would like to point out that the Tenth World Forestry Congress which was made up of some 2 500 delegates from 136 countries, unanimously adopted the Paris Declaration which is appended to document C 91/29.

The Declaration, which is composed of clear and simple language, takes important steps of appealing to world leaders to commit themselves to the greening of the world through afforestation, and reforestation and sustainable management of the multiple functions of trees and forests in the form of integrated programmes, involving the participation of people concerned in accordance with national land use policies.

The Congress also called upon decision-makers to work towards the prohibition of unilateral restriction on trade in forest products as well as on UNCED to integrate the conclusions and recommendations of the Congress into the process of a non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

My delegation would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the high level of importance which Canada attaches to the preparation of an authoritative statement on guiding principles within the context of UNCED for approval by world leaders in June of next year in Rio de Janeiro.

As pointed out in document C 91/29, the Paris Declaration addresses and strongly supports various aspects of the work of the FAO, such as the tropical forestry and Mediterranean action programmes, and is very much in line with the decisions and declarations of the FAO's governing bodies.

Mr Chairman, my delegation believes that the Paris Declaration is an important step focusing world leadership on the critical issues involved for the management, conservation, and sustainable development on world forests.

In view of the unanimous approval of the Paris Declaration by the Congress and the FAO's position as the world's foremost United Nations Agency for forestry, as we said in our statement to Plenary, my delegation urges this Conference to fully endorse the Paris Declaration.

Mr Chairman, we agree with the remarks just made by the delegate of Trinidad and Tobago, and finally we agree also with the remarks made by the delegates of the United States, and we feel that it is appropriate that we thank the sponsors for their initiative with regard to this draft resolution, we feel that it is appropriate that this Commission have the opportunity to reflect and consider the resolution at a later stage in its deliberations.

Thank you, Sir.

Dody S. SUKADRI (Indonesia): Mr Chairman, first of all, on behalf of the Government of Indonesia, my Delegation wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of France for their warmest hospitality and excellent arrangements that have been made

for the World Forestry Congress. Likewise, our appreciation is also accorded to FAO, particularly the Forestry Department, for their exceptional jobs in providing technical support to the host country organizing committee.

We in Indonesia pay great attention to this important Congress. More than 60 delegates representing governments, universities, experts and private sectors led by the Minister of Indonesia attended this World Forestry Congress.

Mr Chairman, the document C 91/29 contains information on the report of the Congress, including the Paris Declaration and implications for FAO. Nevertheless, I wish to inform the Conference that in addition to the Appendix A of the document there is another outcome that needs particular attention, that is the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Congress on which my delegation would also like to give its views and observations.

During the Congress we learned from various discussions on the six major chapters for us to keep the economic and socio-ecological aspects in harmony. This I believe is a reflection of the theme, "Forests, a heritage for the future" meaning that forests are valuable assets and resources which people have always relied on for decades. There has been no other time when this issue has been highlighted as much as today. As we are all aware, forests not only provide us with products indispensable for survival and socio-economic development of countries, but also play an important role in maintaining a sound living environment.

In other words, forests contribute a major component of global ecosystem and are source of enormous benefit for humankind through the production of various commodities, soil and water conservation, biological diversity, and so forth.

Mr Chairman, it is the time now to increase solidarity and cooperation and not confrontation of all communities, institutions and organizations of all concerned parties as we move towards the new era of the world's forestry development.

The Congress has significantly marked this cooperation reflecting the wishes and hopes of not only foresters, but also all disciplines that are affected and influenced by the existing forests in the world.

During the Congress many participants expressed their hopes that foresters' consideration will be fully reflected in taking necessary actions in the near future. My delegation is very pleased to note that the achievements that have been achieved during the Congress have been the result of frank and open discussion by all participants. We are confident that this close working relationship will continue in the years to come.

Mr Chairman, with regard to implications for FAO, my delegation is happy to note that FAO's work, particularly in the field of global forest resources assessment, has been specifically recognized. In this context, Mr Chairman, the invitation to FAO to monitor follow-up actions and to inform other inter-governmental organizations in any actions and programmes related to the forestry sector should particularly be fully anticipated.

Having said that, Mr Chairman, my delegation is of the view that FAO's role in the field of forestry should continuously be strengthened.

My delegation found that the conclusions and recommendations of the Tenth World Forestry Congress have been satisfactory. Furthermore, my delegation would also like to underline specifically the two following points stated at the outcome of the Congress which I quote personally, "the Congress called upon decision-makers to integrate conclusions and recommendations into the process of UNCED in order to define a non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

Secondly, the boycott on tropical timber would not be considered as a positive action towards sustainable forest utilization, and in fact would accelerate the disappearance of tropical forests by lowering the prices of construction wood, thus rendering other uses of the land more attractive.

Finally, Mr Chairman, my delegation wishes to recommend that the outcome of the Tenth World Forestry Congress could be fully endorsed by the Conference as we move towards the united Conference on Environment and Development to be held in 1992.

As regards the draft resolution, my delegation wishes to have some time to study the draft, and therefore wishes to come back at a later stage during the Commission for the detailed debates on the substance and language of this draft resolution. We follow with great attention the generous offers of Senegal and Turkey for hosting the next Conference and hope that the Secretariat could inform the next Council's meeting on their advice regarding this matter.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank the distinguished delegate of Indonesia, and allow me to say that the draft resolution that has been presented by Tunisia, Germany and Malawi has been distributed. Copies should be available now so that you will be able to take a look at that document.

Jean-Pierre POLY (France): En tant que représentant du pays hôte de cette manifestation, laissez-moi vous dire combien Paris se félicite d'avoir accueilli au mois de septembre dernier le dixième Congrès forestier mondial, qui, après la Conférence Internationale Silva sur l'arbre et la forêt de 1986 et la Conférence ministérielle pour la protection des forêts en Europe qui s'est tenue à Strasbourg, organisée conjointement avec la Finlande en 1990, a contribué à une prise de conscience universelle des perspectives d'évolution du patrimoine forestier mondial.

Ce Congrès, organisé en collaboration étroite avec la FAO, dont l'appui technique et le soutien logistique ont joué un rôle déterminant dans le succès de cette manifestation, a retenu pour thème La forêt, patrimoine de l'avenir", soulignant ainsi l'impérieux devoir de solidarité de la communauté internationale, d'une part entre les générations, d'autre part entre les nations.

L'affluence à cette manifestation, que d'autres intervenants ont soulignée avant moi, témoigne de l'intérêt suscité dans la communauté internationale par le thème retenu.

Les débats, étayés par un fonds documentaire d'une ampleur exceptionnelle et d'une grande qualité scientifique et technique et alimentés par une participation active et soutenue tout au long des travaux, ont contribué à la fois à faire échec aux thèses, parfois trop marquées par les préoccupations liées à la conservation des écosystèmes, qui semblaient prévaloir dans certaines organisations et à balayer quelques idées reçues dans l'opinion publique internationale, montrant ainsi, par exemple: qu'il est faux de prétendre que la forêt tropicale est une usine à oxygène; qu'il est faux également d'imputer à la deforestation l'effet de serre; ou encore qu'il est faux de dire que l'industrie du papier concourt à la mise à mort de la forêt; qu'il est faut encore de proclamer que l'utilisation du bois à des fins domestiques tend à disparaître.

Les débats du Congrès, dont le ton très professionnel et la rigueur scientifique n'étaient pas sans trancher avec le ton, tantôt académique, tantôt passionné de ceux qui se sont tenus à ce sujet dans cette enceinte, ont débouché sur l'adoption par consensus d'une importante déclaration.

En dépassant les traditionnels clivages Nord-Sud, la Déclaration de Paris revêt un caractère universel, même si la priorité qu'il convient d'accorder au plan d'action forestier tropical a de nouveau été soulignée, comme l'a été le besoin de développer un programme d'action forestier méditerranéen.

Partant du constat que la principale cause de deforestation réside dans le sous-développement économique et que, par suite, les politiques forestières doivent être intégrées dans les politiques de développement, le Congrès a estimé que la sauvegarde et la prospérité du patrimoine forestier international passent par un effort soutenu pour combattre la pauvreté, garantir la sécurité alimentaire et l'approvisionnement énergétique, améliorer la productivité agricole. Il a invité la communauté internationale à adapter les mécanismes et accroître les moyens financiers des programmes forestiers, à libéraliser le commerce international des produits de la filière bois, à développer la coopération politique et à coordonner les programmes de développement économique.

Ma délégation considère qu'il est important de réunir les conditions favorables à la mise en oeuvre et au suivi des recommandations de la Déclaration de Paris, référence privilégiée pour la coopération internationale dans le secteur forestier. La France, pour sa part, est disposée à participer à ce programme, en liaison avec la FAO, dans la perspective, notamment, de la préparation de la prochaine CNUED mais également au-delà de cette Conférence.

Je vous remercie, M. le Président.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank the distinguished delegate of France for his very interesting and complete comments, and I must say I do agree with him. I think that if we wish to protect and safeguard forests, then we must accept our duty to help

developing countries and give them support in their efforts. I think it is important for us to give them the ways and means of limiting deforestation, and this I think would be possible if we gave them further support for assuring food security as well as increasing agricultural production in these countries.

Jorgen Skovgaard NIELSEN (Denmark): Thank you, Mr Chairman. I am happy to take this opportunity to state that in our opinion FAO deserves the role as centre of excellence for world forestry issues. With the restructuring of relevant environment-related FAO divisions into the ICPF; the International Cooperative Programme Framework, we believe that FAO will be able to maintain and enhance its balanced and multi-disciplinary approach of conservation, management and utilization also in the forestry sector.

Mr Chairman, I am pleased to inform the Commission that Denmark had a very successful seminar on the item "Trees for Life" when we celebrated World Food Day in October.

As the Paris Declaration points out, deforestation is basically caused by extreme poverty and not least by rapidly growing populations.

The Declaration also mentions participation of people concerned as one of the basic elements in national land management policies.

These few examples, Mr Chairman, indicate that FAO has a natural position as global centre of excellence in providing policy advice and technical assistance in matters of sustainable forestry management. These upstream activities should supplement and enhance government execution.

Recent experience has demonstrated there is a wish to lift governance above the institution level. There, the clarification of the interface between governance and management is extremely important in this sector.

Based on these comments, Denmark can support the adoption of the draft resolution contained in document C 91/LIM/41 to the extent that its language enhances the Paris Declaration.

Mr Chairman, permit me to make a few comments on the decision taken in the Council on the future of the TFAP which has also been specifically mentioned in the Congress Declaration from Paris. Denmark would have preferred option (b). However, as a clear majority supported the establishment of an ad hoc group, Denmark goes along with this decision in the hope that the ad hoc group will be able to very quickly suggest solutions on institutional matters as well as on substance issues.

We hope that this situation might eventually enhance FAO's credibility as a manager that can work closely and intimately with its governors.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank the distinguished representative of Denmark for his comments. I hope, and I would like to ask, that those speakers who take the floor please concentrate their comments on the Tenth World Forestry Congress.

Hissem LAHOUCINE (Maroc): La délégation du Maroc tient à présenter ses sincères félicitations au Secrétariat pour la qualité du document C 91/29 soumis à la Conférence qui a, d'une manière synthétique, fait ressortir l'essentiel des points importants touchant le secteur des forêts. Je tiens également à présenter mes félicitations à la FAO pour les efforts qu'elle a déployés et l'appui qu'elle a apporté à différents pays dont le Maroc dans leurs actions de conservation et de développement des forêts.

Ces efforts louables ont permis de sensibiliser toute la communauté internationale à l'importance de la conservation des ressources naturelles, et particulièrement des forêts, pour un environnement de qualité et un développement durable.

La délégation du Maroc qui a participé au dixième Congrès forestier mondial tient à féliciter la France pour l'organisation de ce congrès et apporte son plein appui à la Déclaration de Paris. Elle souhaite que la Conférence adopte cette Déclaration.

L'impact des forêts étant de nature internationale, ma délégation souhaite que les efforts à déployer et les ressources à mobiliser pour la conservation et le développement des forêts concernent l'ensemble des forêts du monde.

A ce titre, ma délégation, tout en appuyant les actions menées dans le cadre du PAFT, souhaite que les autres régions puissent bénéficier d'un programme similaire; et à ce sujet la référence au plan d'action forestier méditerranéen dans la Déclaration de Paris est une heureuse initiative que la délégation du Maroc tient à saluer.

La FAO, qui ne ménagera certainement aucun effort pour la mise en oeuvre de ce plan, trouvera auprès du Maroc toute la disponibilité et l'appui nécessaires.

Je tiens à conclure que le Maroc a engagé depuis quelques années un vaste programme de conservation et de développement forestiers. Je ne citerai à cet égard que l'opération nationale de reboisement lancée depuis quelques années qui a porté les programmes de reforestation à un niveau assez élevé, à même de reconstituer nos ressources forestières et de développer les ressources naturelles dans l'optique d'un développement durable au bénéfice des populations rurales.

Samba COULIBALY (Côte d'Ivoire): Je voudrais associer à mon tour la délégation de la Côte d'Ivoire aux félicitations exprimées à l'égard de la France et de la FAO pour le succès retentissant du dixième Congrès forestier mondial et féliciter également le rapporteur de la FAO pour la densité et la clarté du résumé qu'il a fait de cet important Congrès.

Il a été rapporté un incident qui a eu lieu à Paris, dans la salle même du Congrès, à savoir la manifestation de certaines ONG demandant le boycott intense de bois tropicaux.

Cette manifestation, qui reflète l'état d'esprit négatif de certains pays développés vis-à-vis des bois tropicaux, ignore les efforts des pays tropicaux pour pérenniser leurs forêts, facteur vital d'équilibre essentiel. Nos pays et notamment la Côte d'Ivoire, malgré la crise,

consentent des efforts pour sauvegarder ce patrimoine en lui consacrant des investissements importants; à preuve, pour les cinq années à venir, la Côte d'Ivoire entend consacrer environ 280 millions de dollars E.-U. pour sauvegarder et aménager l'ensemble de ses massifs forestiers.

Nous pensons donc qu'il est nécessaire et indispensable qu'une campagne de sensibilisation intense soit menée sous l'égide de la FAO pour améliorer l'image de nos pays en Occident dans le secteur de la gestion et de la protection des forêts car aujourd'hui les bois assurent, quoi qu'on dise, une part non négligeable des recettes d'exportation de nos pays, recettes qui pour une bonne part retournent au secteur de la forêt sous forme de plans d'aménagement et de financement des programmes de reforestation.

D'un autre côté, nous souhaitons l'appui technique et financier de la FAO pour aider nos pays à promouvoir le Programme national d'aménagement durable et fiable de nos forêts.

Ms Ljiljana VELASEVIC (Yugoslavia): First, I should like to thank Mr Murray for his excellent introduction to this item. Secondly, I should like to congratulate the French Government on the organization of the Tenth World Forestry Congress and express the hope that the conclusions of the Congress and the Paris Declaration will be translated into practice.

In conclusion I should like to stress that we fully support the Paris Declaration.

Rolf AKESSON (Sweden): I should like to express our sincere thanks and congratulations to the French Government and to the FAO for the very successful Tenth World Forestry Congress.

Our main impressions from the vast documentation and from all the discussions and meetings that took place might be summarized in three points. First, environmental issues now seem to have made a breakthrough also in the forestry debate. All through the discussions there was an undercurrent of hope and expectations that the UNCED Conference in Rio will be a turning point for the present critical forest situation. Secondly, a number of statements were made by countries, many of them from the developing world, on the need to acquire the critical knowledge needed to develop forest policies and to make long-term plans for differentiated sustainable forestry geared to multiple use of forest and forestry resources. Thirdly, the Congress showed the importance of the activities of people's participation, of the green popular movements, and of a knowledgeable and enlightened general public, and also of the necessity to engage women and young people in matters concerning forestry and the environment.

The Congress also adopted a declaration, the Paris Declaration, which is contained in an Appendix to our document. My delegation strongly supports this Declaration which calls upon decision-makers to undertake a number of decisive actions and devise ways for the follow-up of the recommendations. We are pleased to support the proposal that the FAO Conference endorse the Paris Declaration.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): Angola has asked that their complete text be included in the minutes of this session.

Kiyoshi SAWADA (Japan): My Government very much appreciates the success of the Tenth World Forestry Congress held by FAO and the Government of France at a golden opportunity in the UNCED process. At no other time have the issues of forests and forestry been highlighted as much as today.

My delegation would like to inform you on this occasion that my Government endorses the Paris Declaration. In Japan my Government, in cooperation with ITTO, organized another international meeting called the Conference of Senior Foresters in Yokohama, Japan, in July of this year to give foresters an opportunity to discuss the sustainable management of tropical forests. The Conference was attended by around 300 eminent foresters and forestry-related experts from 41 countries and 12 international organizations.

Forest, which is a crucial element of earth's environment, has considerable functions not only as a carbon sink and genetic reservoir but also as a soil and water conserver and desertification controller; it also plays a socio-economic and cultural role for inhabitants.

We hope that the concept of comprehensive functions of the forest I have just mentioned will be involved in the so-called global consensus of forest in the UNCED process. Also, we expect that FAO will submit the definition of technical terminology in the so-called non-binding principle declaration on forests which has been prepared for the next Preparatory Committee.

In this connection we hope that FAO will take the leadership in the UNCED process based on its expertise and the Paris Declaration.

Hans-Dietrich VON BOTHMER (Germany) (Original language German): As we have already heard from Mr Murray in his very clear introduction to this subject, the World Forestry Congress - which in fact has been organized since 1929 and is no recent innovation - was held this year on the theme of "Forests, a Heritage for the Future", which is a very important slogan. We know that the result of that Congress was the Paris Declaration signed by no less than 137 countries.

Since the most important forestry questions are at present being discussed at the political level throughout the world - and here I mention only the negotiations to conclude conventions concerning protecting the climate and certain species - we believe that the UNCED 1992 Conference has been organized to deal with all those important subjects. Therefore, like the Tunisian delegation, we would urge Conference to adopt a resolution which will honour the Declaration adopted in Paris.

Here we should also like to take the opportunity to thank the French delegation for their excellent organization of the Paris Conference. We believe that their efforts have certainly led to a very meritorious conclusion.

Mme. Amina BOUDJELTI (Algérie): Je voudrais en premier lieu m'associer à l'hommage unanime que viennent de rendre, à juste titre, les nombreux

délégués qui m'ont précédée, au Gouvernement français et au Secrétariat de la FAO pour les efforts qu'ils ont bien voulu accomplir, car le Congrès forestier mondial leur doit beaucoup.

Je voudrais également féliciter et remercier le représentant du Secrétariat pour le rapport sur le dixième Congrès qu'il nous a transmis, ainsi que pour la présentation claire et pertinente qu'il nous en a faite.

Mon pays a eu la chance et l'honneur de participer au Comité de rédaction chargé d'élaborer ce qu'il est maintenant convenu d'appeler la Déclaration de Paris. C'est dire que c'est bien volontiers que ma délégation répond à l'appel lancé par le représentant de la Tunisie en se portant co-auteur du projet de résolution sur l'approbation de cette déclaration. Celle-ci nous semble d'autant plus pertinente qu'elle associe les populations rurales à l'aménagement des territoires forestiers.

L'appel solennel qu'elle lance aux décideurs revêt à mes yeux une grande importance en ce qu'il tend à renforcer la coopération et la solidarité internationales, qu'il cherche à adapter des mécanismes financiers au long terme de la forêt et qu'il encourage les financements internationaux en faveur des pays en développement.

Enfin permettez-moi d'ajouter que nous sommes d'autant plus attachés à cette déclaration qu'elle reconnaît la nécessité de mettre sur pied un programme forestier méditerranéen.

Morad Ali ARDESHIRI (Iran, Islamic Republic of) (Original language Arabic): First of all, I would like to thank Mr Murray for his excellent introduction on this item. Secondly, Mr Chairman, on behalf of my delegation I would like to express my deep appreciation to FAO for its remarkable contribution in launching such an important Congress on forestry issues in order to encourage Member Nations to conserve and utilize forestry resources in a sustainable manner. I would particularly like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Forestry Department of FAO, as well as to the organizing committee, who made great efforts to arrange the Congress efficiently and effectively. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Government of France for hosting the Congress and accommodating some 2 700 experts, scientists and researchers from 136 countries of the world.

On behalf of my delegation I fully support the Paris Declaration of the Tenth World Forestry Congress on the whole, and I would like to emphasize the following matters which we consider to be important. Firstly, as mentioned in the Paris Declaration, the main causes of deforestation and destruction of forestry resources in developing countries are poverty, under-development and a need to meet the basic requirements of rural peoples. Therefore, in order to overcome this problem, it is important to have a combined effort to reduce poverty, increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security and energy supplies. This should be taken into consideration in the appropriate manner in the report of the Conference, for example in a resolution in this regard. Secondly, in order to achieve effective international cooperation for the conservation and sustainable utilization of forest resources of the Mediterranean ecological zone, I would like to suggest the enhancement and promotion of the development of the Mediterranean Forestry Action Plan, which should receive

high priority. Thirdly, given the importance of forestry resource statistics and modalities, I would like to support the action of forestry resources assessment and particularly the assessment of the forest resources of the sub-tropical and moderate region. Fourthly, we support the recommendation of the Paris Declaration mentioned on page A2 of document C 91/29, particularly regarding the long-term use of land and that development of agro-forestry systems, afforestation and reforestation be intensified. Fifthly and finally, on behalf of my delegation, I strongly urge Conference to adopt a resolution including the main and highlighted points of the Paris Declaration.

S. RAJASEKAR (New Zealand): Thank you for the opportunity to make a few comments on this important issue. At the outset may I join others in expressing our appreciation to Mr Murray for his introductory comments. In our Plenary statement the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture and Forestry highlighted the importance of forestry both from the perspective of environment and economic development and the important position of forestry in our own economy. New Zealand was a participant at the Tenth World Forestry Congress and supported the conclusions and recommendations of the Paris Declaration. Protection and sustainable management of global forestry resources is the responsibility of all of us and the World Forestry Congress was an important step towards realizing this goal.

New Zealand is playing its part in the worldwide effort to protect natural forests. We are fortunate to have an alternative timber supply in the form of manmade forests. Plantation forestry clearly has a significant economic and environmental role to play in New Zealand and internationally. For our part, we have been active in drawing this to the attention of countries in the lead-up to the 1992 UNCED Conference on environment and development.

In conclusion I would like to record our appreciation of the valuable contribution that FAO is making to the work of UNCED, and we hope that the conclusions and recommendations of the World Forestry Congress are taken into account in the lead-up to the final conference in Rio. I would like to endorse the comments made by earlier speakers in regard to the Resolution that has been put in front of us in the form of document C 91/LIM/41. We can go along with the general thrust of the resolution but we would like the opportunity to study it in greater detail.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): Thank you. As far as the Resolution which is being distributed is concerned, this is a draft resolution which will be sent to the Resolutions Committee and then brought back here.

Frederik C. PRILLEVITZ (Netherlands): Every World Forestry Congress is a success and the Paris one was not an exception to this rule. This large gathering of foresters from all of the world every six years gives everybody who is interested in the forestry sector an idea where we stand with scientific knowledge about forests and what concerns are from the sector itself and from society as a whole. In the Declaration of Paris, which was adopted at the end of Congress, concerns are expressed and indications are given as to how problems can be solved. My delegation welcomes the Declaration and considers it in the first place as a very clear signal from the forestry sector itself to the United Nations

Conference on Environment and Development to take the right actions in this respect. My Government is in favour of the preparation of an authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and the adoption of such a statement at UNCED. After Rio de Janeiro we have to work on a legally binding Forest Instrument, in the opinion of my Government. That will not be an easy task. There is a lot of opposition to a Convention of such a nature, but the Paris Conference made it very clear that there is an urgent need for much stronger international cooperation in the field of forestry. The forests in the tropics as well as in the northern hemisphere are threatened. Everywhere in the south, and in the north to a certain extent, wrong forest management is still practised and the influence of air pollution on the quality of forests is already visible in many forests in the world. Now FAO is invited to monitor the follow-up action of this Congress. How will that be undertaken? Is it FAO's intention to formulate a special project proposal? Does FAO need trust fund money and, if so, how much? My delegation welcomes the idea that FAO is asked to prove between now and the next Congress, so in six years' time, that the Paris Declaration will be more than just a piece of paper. However, it is a difficult job and we would like to know more about the methodology FAO will use to perform this task before my Government will consider any support for an eventual project concerning this matter.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of France for organizing this Congress and to compliment it on its success. It is, in my opinion, preferable that the next Congress be organized by a tropical country.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I Would like to thank the distinguished Representative of the Netherlands. It seems that everyone would like the Paris Declaration to be effective and not to simply remain a dead letter.

Per Harald GRUE (Norway): I ztoo would like to thank France for hosting the Tenth World Forestry Congress and Mr Murray for his introduction. My delegation supports the Paris Declaration and finds it very important. As underlined in the document before us, the conclusion is in line with the decisions and declarations of FAO's own governing bodies. We are pleased that the Forestry Congress recommends the long-term use of land, planned on the basis of its potential to determine that which is suitable for forestry and, in so doing, that attention be paid to the needs of the people concerned, particularly those who depend on forests for their livelihood.

Our main challenge for the future is to have an active and sustainable use - and I underline the word "use" - of forest in all parts of the world. Further, it is important that the Forestry Congress strongly recommend that its conclusions and recommendations be taken into consideration in the preparatory process of UNCED to be held in Brazil in 1992. The Congress called for deliberate action to implement its recommendations so as to safeguard the world's forest heritage. Finally, Mr Chairman, the situation facing TFAP is critical and difficult. This question was commented on by the Nordic countries in Commission II earlier this week and I will not repeat our views here.

M. Manlio MARIANI (Italie): Nous aussi remercions M. Murray pour son rapport sur le dixième Congrès forestier mondial. Nous nous félicitons encore, avec le comité organisateur et les autorités françaises qui nous ont permis de participer à cette rencontre dans les meilleures conditions.

L'Italie, qui avait également proposé sa candidature, y a participé avec son Ministre de l'agriculture et plusieurs experts. Notre contribution s'est développée avec la présence d'un coordinateur, de plusieurs rapporteurs et la présentation de trente cinq relations.

Ce congrès s'est tenu dans un moment critique pour l'état et l'avenir de la forêt et pour la responsabilité qui en revient aux techniciens forestiers confrontés à de nombreux problèmes (dont celui des forêts est l'un) et à des changements tellement rapides qu'ils se heurtent parfois avec le temps de réflexion et d'expérimentation propres à la science forestière.

"La forêt, patrimoine de l'avenir", c'était le thème conducteur du congrès. Un patrimoine à sauvegarder mais qui doit être géré (dont celui des forêts est l'un) le plus vite et le mieux possible, afin d'être sauvegardé. La poursuite de l'objectif de la recherche est indispensable comme l'est la nécessité d'opérer vite sur la base des connaissances acquises pour protéger et rétablir un couvert forestier. La sensibilisation de l'opinion publique et une information correcte sont également indispensables. Les forestiers, avec leurs capacités professionnelles réaffirmées, et les décideurs des politiques sociales, qui vivent parfois loin de la forêt, doivent poursuivre l'objectif de trouver un consensus compatible avec les nécessités de ceux qui dépendent directement de la forêt ou qui sont pour toute leur vie dans la forêt. C'est une tâche difficile, mais l'impression que nous avons eue lors des travaux du congrès nous laissent penser qu'un consensus peut être trouvé en vue de bien gérer la forêt.

Pour conclure, nous appuyons le projet de résolution présenté par les délégations de l'Allemagne, du Malawi et de la Tunisie.

G.P. SAKANDA (Malawi): Thank you, Mr Chairman. Mr Chairman, since this is the first time for the Malawi delegation to speak in this noble house, I would like to join my colleagues in the other delegations, who have congratulated you before, in congratulating you, Mr Chairman, on your election as Chairman of this Commission.

Malawi was represented at the Tenth World Forestry Congress by a three-man delegation which was led by the Malawi Ambassador to France. As you may be aware, Mr Chairman, Malawi coordinates forestry in the regional grouping for the Southern African Development Coordination Conference, made up of 10 countries in southern Africa, namely Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Malawi delegation presented a brief at the Congress outlining the region's activities in forestry.

At this point, Mr Chairman, I would like to point out that Malawi would like to support the proposal made by Tunisia on the resolution to endorse the Paris Declaration.

My delegation has carefully read the report on the Tenth World Forestry Congress which has been presented by the Secretariat in document C 91/29, and has listened with interest to the very stimulating introduction by the ADG, and consider that the Congress is indeed an important event to FAO in particular and to the world in general.

To begin with, Mr Chairman, as the ADG has pointed out, the World Forestry Congress is the highest forestry event that draws on global forestry expertise and experiences and deals with current forestry issues which are of especial relevance to FAO's various committees.

The Tenth World Forestry Congress also draws on the recommendations of two previous congresses, whose themes generally dealt with forests and people's well-being. It gave particular importance to the need for worldwide adoption and implementation of the tropical forestry action programme and the preparations for the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Environment and Development to be held in Brazil in 1992.

Secondly, in my delegation's view, Mr Chairman, and as has been heard from the majority of the delegations here, the Congress was ably, effectively and pleasantly organized by the host country, France, in collaboration with FAO, to the satisfaction of all the delegations. My delegation therefore would like to take this opportunity to thank the people and Government of France for the warm welcome and hospitality offered to its delegation who were attending that Congress. The Congress was definitely a success and achieved its objective. Since, Mr Chairman, the Congress invited FAO to make a follow-up to its recommendations and to inform inter-governmental bodies and the Eleventh World Forestry Congress, it is proper that the Paris Declaration be endorsed by this Conference through a resolution. My delegation supports the motion that a resolution along the lines laid out before by Tunisia be passed by this Conference.

J.M. SCOTT (United Kingdom): Thank you, Mr Chairman. I will be very brief.

The United Kingdom delegation congratulates the Secretariat for document C 91/29 and also the French Government for hosting the Tenth World Forestry Congress, in which the United Kingdom participated. The United Kingdom delegation also wishes to associate itself with the remarks of the distinguished delegates of Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States of America, and to express disappointment with progress made on revamping and strengthening the TFAP. We would like time to consider the implications of the draft resolution proposed by the distinguished delegates of Tunisia, Germany and Malawi. Our initial reaction is that the time has now come for action rather than words on the conservation and rational sustainable use of forest. The United Kingdom delegation believes the TFAP still offers the best hope of a way forward if positive action is taken speedily.

LI ZHENG-DONG (China) (Original language Chinese): Thank you, Mr Chairman. I would like to join with all the other representatives who have spoken before me, and would like to thank the French Government for successfully organizing the Tenth World Forestry Congress.

I would now like to make three brief comments. Firstly, taking into consideration the unbalanced distribution of forest resources, we should concentrate our limited resources on helping some regions or countries develop their forestry production. Secondly, taking into account the differences of level in forestry development and the serious effects of cutting trees and forests, we therefore promote the common improvement and utilization of the level of forest resources. Thirdly, because agricultural production sometimes is contradictory to developing forestry production, especially in areas where land resources are limited, we support the treating of the relationship between forestry and agricultural production in terms of technical and political points.

Praphas WEERAPAT (Thailand): Mr Chairman, my delegation would like to thank you for allowing us to intervene. My delegation recognizes the importance of forestry in the social economy and in conservation for future generations. Consequently my delegation also endorses the inclusion of other aspects in the report of the document C 91/29.

My delegation would like to make the following comments. The concluding recommendation of the Tenth World Forestry Congress is an important result of the Congress, so it should be circulated to the Commission for consideration, as proposed by the Indonesian delegation. Secondly, the draft resolution should also be considered by the Commission at a later stage.

Mr T.J. RAMOTSOARI (Lesotho): Thank you, Mr Chairman, for giving me a chance to speak on this issue.

Mr Chairman, the country of Lesotho does not have natural forest. We only have grass. But we are happy to announce that during the past 15 years we have been able to afforest over 5 000 hectares. Lesotho was represented at the Paris Congress by two officers.

We would also like to support resolution C 91/LIM/41 put forth by Tunisia, Germany and Malawi and if possible, Mr Chairman, by adding clause No. 6 with the following words: Requests Member Nations to implement the Paris Declaration as an enhancement of environment and land-base protection.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): Thank you very much, distinguished delegate from Lesotho. The amendment you mentioned to the draft resolution will be taken by examining that draft resolution in the Committee and then looking at your document amendment.

Kiala KIA MATEVA (Angola): M. le Président, laissez-moi d'abord me réjouir pour la présentation faite par M. Muny du document C 91/29. Ce document nous retrace le déroulement du dixième Congrès forestier mondial tenu à Paris, qui s'est terminé par la Déclaration de Paris, document très important qui, nous le souhaitons, doit être adopté par tous les pays du monde: puisqu'il s'adresse aux décideurs pour mener concrètement plusieurs actions, notamment rendre verte la surface du monde, renforcer le PAFT au

niveau national, limiter toutes émissions d'agents polluants causant le dépérissement des forêts pour ne citer que les conclusions.

M. le Président, l'Angola a participé au dixième Congrès forestier mondial. Mon pays ne peut que féliciter en général tous ceux qui de loin ou de près ont contribué à la réussite de ce congrès, et en particulier la FAO pour avoir apporté son appui technique et le Gouvernement français qui a bien voulu accepter que ce forum ait lieu dans sa belle capitale, en mettant à la disposition du Congrès tout ce dont il avait besoin. Tout le monde le dit, le Congrès a été couronné de succès.

Au niveau de l'Angola, la Déclaration de Paris a été largement diffusée pour sensibiliser non seulement les décideurs à tous les niveaux.

En ce qui concerne le projet de résolution contenu dans le document C 91/LIM/91 présenté par la délégation de Tunisie, le Malawi, la délégation angolaise accepte qu'elle soit transmise à la plénière de la Conférence pour son adoption.

Le document C 91/29 nous parle déjà du llème Congrès forestier mondial. Le paragraphe 14 nous présente 3 pays qui se sont présentés pour l'accueillir. Il me semble que la liste n'est pas close puisque d'autres pays peuvent aussi proposer leur candidature. L'Angola accepte la proposition présentée dans le même paragraphe, celle de laisser à la FAO faire des consultations et au Conseil le soin de prendre une décision finale sur ce point.

Je vous remercie.¹

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): Now, ladies and gentlemen, the speakers' list is closed on that point on our agenda, and therefore, I would now like to give the floor to the Secretariat in order to reply to certain questions which have been raised.

C.H. MURRAY (Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department): Thank you, Mr Chairman.

Allow me first of all, Mr Chairman, to express on behalf of the Secretariat our appreciation and gratitude for the words of encouragement, and appreciation for the efforts and the contribution which the Organization has made towards the outcome of the Congress.

The Secretariat has noted very carefully the various comments made by distinguished delegates, particularly those which refer to the Tropical Forests Action Programme, the Mediterranean Forest Action Programme and the emphasis placed on the importance of sustainable management and development of forests, the need for strengthening and continuing international cooperation.

¹ Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès-verbal

With respect to the Mediterranean Forest Action Plan I could confirm to interested delegates that this plan is all but ready and it will be presented to the next meeting of the Silver Mediterranea which is due to convene early next year hosted by the Government of Portugal.

Several references have been made during the discussion to the UNCED process, to FAO's involvement in the UNCED process and the role of forestry in the UNCED.

I can confirm, Mr Chairman and distinguished delegates, that FAO as a whole, has been very actively participating in and supporting the work of the UNCED Secretariat, and the Forestry Department in particular has been making substantial and perhaps even the major input from the technical point of view to the preparatory work which was taking place at the level of the forestry committee at all the meetings to date.

We are in very close touch with the main actors at the UNCED Secretariat, and continue, and will continue to make significant technical input to the process up to and including the Conference in Brazil.

I noted, Mr Chairman, that there is general endorsement of the Paris Declaration, and I could say the same for the main thrust of the resolution presented by the distinguished delegate from Tunisia.

Some delegates have indicated the necessity for time to study its contents, and the Secretariat can confirm that the draft as presented to you will return to this Commission after it has been reviewed by the Resolutions Committee so that the entire membership of the Commission will have an opportunity later, early next week, to review and discuss the resolution.

Also discussed and referred to on several occasions, the whole question of follow-up to the Congress. I think in this context it is important to bear in mind that the Paris Declaration calls upon all decision makers to devise ways and means of following up the recommendations of the Congress. FAO most certainly intends to play our role in follow-up, both through the Regular Programme and the Field Programme.

In response to this specific question posed by the distinguished representative from the Netherlands, we are not now in a position to dictate or decide whether or how much extra-budgetary funds would be needed, but we have noted the generous offer confirmed by the government representative from France here at this Commission of their willingness to cooperate with FAO.

Before long we would be in a better position to indicate not only what if any extra-budgetary sources we need, but how we visualize pursuing the full range of recommendations in all the avenues open to us, as I said, both to the Regular and the Field Programme.

In this connection, Mr Chairman, I can also confirm to the distinguished delegates that the conclusions and recommendations flowing from the Congress have already been circulated to all the permanent representations here in Rome, and we intend to ensure that the Ministries and Forest Services concerned also get copies of the directory from my department.

The same applies to the UNCED Secretariat. We have formally, in keeping with the request embodied in the Paris Declaration, we have already formally transmitted to the Secretary General of UNCED the recommendations of the Paris Declaration so that they will be in a position to take that into account in their own deliberations.

I think, Mr Chairman, with those comments, I think I have dealt with most of the points raised, but we are here and are ready to answer other questions if there are any.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank Mr Murray, the Assistant Director-General for Forestry, for the answer that he has given to the questions raised, but I see that Indonesia is asking for the floor.

Natigor SIAGIAN (Indonesia): Thank you, Mr Chairman, for giving me the floor.

As a preliminary reaction to the explanation of the Secretariat, my delegation wishes to note the explanations regarding the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Congress.

If I am not mistaken, Mr Chairman, the Secretariat expressed that the Conclusions and Recommendations have been circulated to the Permanent Representatives.

Mr Chairman, document C 91/29 had annexed as Appendix A the Paris Declaration. My delegation believes, Mr Chairman, as we have expressed in our earlier statement, the conclusions and recommendations of the Congress are also an important part of the task of the Congress.

We wish, Mr Chairman, through you to appeal again to the Secretariat and its conclusions and recommendations be made as a part of the Conference document, so it could be used by our delegation, Mr Chairman, for the debate of the draft resolution.

Again, Mr Chairman, my delegation is of the opinion that the conclusions and recommendations of the Congress are the anticipated part of the result of the Tenth Forestry Congress, and should be used as a basis also for considering the draft resolution regarding this matter.

I thank you, Mr Chairman.

Paulo Estivallet de MESQUITA (Brazil): Thank you, Mr Chairman.

Just to support what was just said by the delegate of Indonesia, I think it would be very useful for all if the conclusions and recommendations were made available as part of the Council's recommendations.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic): I would like to thank the distinguished delegate of Brazil, and I will once again give the floor to the Secretariat so that they may reply to the comments made by Indonesia.

C.H. MURRAY (Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department): Thank you, Mr Chairman.

The Secretariat has noted the request, Sir, and I confirm that by Tuesday morning, the full set of conclusions and recommendations from the Conference will be made available to this Conference. I should add that for the Undertaking I have just given we will adhere strictly to English, French and Spanish texts. The conclusions and recommendations are rather voluminous and run to 22 pages; therefore, it may take a bit longer to have the Arabic and other official language texts available.

CHAIRMAN (Original language Arabic) : I would like thank Mr Murray for that additional clarification and if there are no further requests from the floor then I think at this late hour I would like to thank you very much for having been here today, ladies and gentlemen. I hope we can leave this item of the agenda open so that we can take a look at the draft resolution. However, there will not be a debate of substance on the subject, but we will take a look at the draft resolution once the Resolutions Committee sends it back to us.

The meeting rose at 17.15 hours.
La séance est levée à 17 h 15.
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.15 horas.