FO:APFC/2000/3

1. This note is to inform the Commission about FAO forestry activities of interest to the region, funded under the Regular Programme budget and FAO-executed projects funded through UNDP and donor trust funds in 1998-99. Annex A provides references to specific requests and recommendations of the seventeenth session of the Commission.

FOREST RESOURCES

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS

2. Practical guidelines on the management of tropical forests for the production of wood and timber products were published (Guidelines for the management of tropical forests - 1. The production of wood. Forestry Paper 135, FAO 1998). A companion volume focusing on the provision of non-wood goods and services is under preparation.

3. The outcome of an FAO/ITTO/UNEP workshop on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in dry forests in Asia is summarized in Secretariat Note FO:APFC/2000/7. Additional information on forest management related activities in the region can be found in FO:APFC/2000/4 (Report of the activities of the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management), FO:APFC/2000/8 (related to timber production and conservation) and FO:APFC/2000/10 (related to certification and forest product labelling).

4. Support was provided to model and demonstration forest initiatives in countries in the region, promoting the mutually supportive and compatible social, economic and environmental values of forests in forest management. Activities included support to three International Workshops on Model Forests for Field-Level Application of Sustainable Forest Management hosted and organized by Japan in technical collaboration with FAO and IMFNS. The FAO/JAPAN project, Assistance for the implementation of the model forest approach for sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region, provides support to four countries (China, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand) in establishing model forests.

5. A Ministerial Conference on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was organized by FAO in March 1999. The Conference focused on the development of a Plan of Action addressing the special concerns of agriculture, forestry and fisheries of this group of states in follow-up to UNCED and the World Food Summit and in relation to World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The Plan of Action on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States was approved by the FAO Council in June, 1999. One of the five main areas of action is entitled "Ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection". A Secretariat Note on Small Island Developing Countries was prepared for the 14^th Session of COFO, focused specifically on the concerns of forestry development in SIDS (COFO-99/Inf.6).

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL FORESTS FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES, THEIR MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION, AND NETWORKING

6. In collaboration with national and bilateral institutions, evaluation of in situ conservation stands was continued, with the aim of synthesizing field experience and preparing relevant technical guidelines for future action. Plans were finalized for similar action for ex situ genetic conservation stands.

7. FAO continued to act as the coordinator for activities of the International Neem Network, with the support of international, regional and bilateral agencies concerned. National institutions in 23 countries, most of them in Asia, collaborated in Network activities. Documents published to help harmonize action among collaborators included, (i) "Description of Neem Seed sources" (1998), and (ii) "Description of International Provenance Trials of Neem (1999)". Support continued to TEAKNET.

8. Following recommendations of the 13th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (March 1997) and with the strong support of Heads of Forestry of the Pacific Islands, a sub-regional workshop on forest and tree genetic resources was held in Apia, Samoa, in April 1999. Participants prepared a sub-regional plan of action for the management of forest genetic resources in the South Pacific, including their conservation and sustainable utilization. The meeting was one in a series of regional and sub-regional, country-driven workshops aimed at the development of a coherent global framework for action in this field.

9. Development of the world-wide Information System on Forest Genetic Resources (REFORGEN) was continued, to support policy and technical decisions for genetic conservation, at national, regional and international levels. Updated information is being received from countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific and a user-friendly interface has been developed to allow information retrieval through the Internet. Publication continued of the annual newsletter, Forest Genetic Resources, in hard copy and through the FAO Internet Home Page on forest genetic resources (http://www.fao.org/forestry/FOR/FORM/FOGENRES/homepage/fogene-e.stm).

10. The Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources met for its 11^th Session in 1999, and reviewed priorities for action and for the overall work on forest genetic resources of FAO and international and national partners.

11. In forest protection, support was provided to i) combatting of mangrove dieback in Bangladesh; ii) developing integrated forest pest strategies in China, including advice in the safe import of logs; iii) managing tree seed orchards of Paulownia and pine species; and iv) integrating pest management and storage of chestnut seeds. A workshop on Dalbergia sissoo dieback was supported within the framework of the FORSPA project A regional FAO/IUFRO workshop on Pest Management in Tropical Forest Plantations was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand in May 1998. FAO attended the Fifth International Conference on Plant Protection in the Tropics, held by the Malaysian Plant Protection Society in March 1999 in Kuala Lumpur. In connection with it, a preparatory meeting was held in collaboration with IPGRI for the preparation of a meeting on the formulation of technical guidelines for safe movement of Acacia germplasm, planned to be held in 2000.

12. A Meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires was held in Rome, 28-30 October 1998. Five special studies were presented including from the Asia-Pacific Region; China, Mongolia, India Japan and Indonesia were represented at this meeting.

SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

13. In November 1998, the UN General Assembly declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IYM) and assigned FAO with the lead agency role. Within this framework inter-action and contacts with the Asia-Pacific Region have been strengthened in terms of watershed management and sustainable mountain development. These contacts and collaboration will be intensified and expanded in the course of the preparations for and the observance of IYM.

14. In the new framework of the implementation of Agenda 21 Chapter 13 (Sustainable mountain development), co-operation continued with the Inter-Agency Group on Mountains, and the regional nodes of the Mountain Forum in particular. In this context ICIMOD is a key partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Among other elements, ICIMOD participated in the 5^th and the 6^th meetings of the Inter-Agency Group on Mountains respectively, held in Rome in March 1999 and in Cusco, Peru in October 1999. During these meetings start-up of and progress in the global preparation of the IYM were noted. FAO provided input into an important regional watershed management project of ICIMOD in the Himalayan Region and participated in the Support Group Meeting of the Centre in late 1999.

15. A Task Manager Report on the implementation of chapter 13 was published. This document includes information on important mountain-related activities in the Asia-Pacific Region carried out in the five years after the Rio Earth Summit, 1992-1997. As a follow up to the co-operation with the Institute of Geography of the University of Bern and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation, FAO provided major input for two publications which were presented at CSD6 ("Mountains of the World: Water Towers for the 21st Century") and CSD7 ("Mountains of the World: Tourism and Sustainable Mountain Development"). These brochures include important case studies and success stories from mountain areas in the Asia-Pacific Region.

16. Support and co-operation with field projects on watershed management in the region continued to be important while strong links to the normative programme were maintained. Field projects focused on the following major orientations: i) supporting the participatory approach in watershed management; ii) development of human resources and training; iii) promoting an integrated approach to watershed management.

CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INCLUDING WILDLIFE

17. In October 1999 an International Technical Consultation on Protected Area Management and Sustainable Rural Development was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. A review of protected area issues in the Asia-Pacific region was presented at this meeting. More than a dozen participants from the region took part in the meeting and contributed substantially to it. The subject of the consultation was of direct relevance to the region and will again be addressed in a WWF meeting on forest protected areas to be held in Bangkok in early May 2000.

18. "Tiger paper", the regional journal on wildlife and protected area issues, continued to be published on a quarterly basis. It is distributed to nearly 2,000 throughout the region.

19. During 1998-1999 FAO was involved in implementing project UNO/SRL/001/GEF "Development of Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management." This GEF project was originally planned to last for 5 years, but ultimately continued for more than six years because of defects in the original project design, which were identified and rectified by FAO. The project generated management plans for a number of the most important protected areas in Sri Lanka and provided training to a large number of people. The Final Report of the Evaluation Mission for this project was presented in August 1999. New activities initiated in 1999 included the inception of a project to provide a user-friendly manual for mahouts on the care of domestic Asian elephants.

FOREST PLANTATIONS

20. Activities concentrated on the assembly of information on plantation areas and yields, and the aggregation of information at regional and global levels within the framework of the Forest Resources Assessment Programme. A publication documenting current plantation statistics and discussing key trends and issues relating to tree planting activities was drafted for publication. A study on environmental effects of forest plantations was commissioned. Following the 39^th Session of the Executive Committee of the International Poplar Commission (IPC) held in Rome in 1998, the 21st Session of the IPC and the 40th Session of its Executive Committee will be held in Portland, Oregon in September 2000, with participation of a number of Asian countries.

21. A regional seminar "Site, Technology and Productivity of Teak Plantations" was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in January 1999, organized by Chiang Mai University, TEAKNET and FAO's FORSPA project. The conclusions and recommendations were published as FORSPA Publication 23/1999 and TEAKNET Publication No. 2.

22. FAO and ITTO initiated planning for an International Conference on Timber Plantation Development, to be convened in late 2000 in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

DRYLAND FORESTRY AND TREES OUTSIDE FORESTS

23. FAO provided support to countries of the region in implementing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (e.g. identification of root causes of desertification in China) and in desertification control activities.

24. Case studies on urban forestry in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, were presented in: "Urban and peri-urban forestry - case studies in developing countries". The publication is based on a series of case studies of issues related to urban development, and the role of urban forestry in improving the environment and living conditions of the urban population. The case studies looked at planning, institutional coordination, tree resource management and people's participation issues, making recommendations, which could be adapted to other cities.

25. The English version of FAO Conservation Guide No.32 "Management of Natural Dry Forests" will be published in early 2000. Activities in dryland forestry are focusing on support to the implementation of the CCD in Asia. FAO is planning to study the state of the art of arid zone forestry in Asia and the Pacific Region.

26. Assistance is being provided to member countries in developing planning tools and methodologies for the management of trees outside forests. Guidelines are being developed for the assessment of trees outside forests. This work is being supported by an annotated bibliography and thematic case studies in all regions, including Asia and Pacific. Support is continuing for regional networks to enhance the contribution of agroforestry, and other tree-based systems outside forest, to sustainable land productivity.

27. Information on agroforestry continues to be shared throughout the region, through the continued publication of APANews.

28. FAO collaborated with the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), USAID, and the USDA Forest Service in producing a field manual on Imperata grassland rehabilitation using agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration.

29. Plans are being developed for studies on urban forestry in coastal areas and small islands, and on the linkages between forest and tree degradation and impoverishment around cities. Guidelines for urban planning will be developed to support member countries in integrating tree and forest components into urban planning.

FOREST RESOURCES ASSESSMENT - FRA 2000

30. Within the framework of the global forest resources assessment programme, common terminology and methodologies underpinnning the Forest Resources Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000) were developed and disseminated. Activities included the organization of two sub-regional workshops in Dehra Dun, India (south Asia), and one in Hanoi, Vietnam (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). Through Trust Fund projects carried out in direct support to the FRA Programme the implementation of three components of a World Bank funded project in the State of Andra Pradesh, India were also supported. This related to the planning of State-wide forest resources assessment activities; the development of a Geographic Information System; and the integration of GIS into overall forest management planning. Earlier published information on the state of forests 1990 and the forest cover of tropical countries (Forestry Paper 112 complemented by Country Briefs) and a Global Synthesis (Forestry Paper 124) was made available on diskette and electronically. Interim information on status and trends of forests in the world, including Asia/Pacific, was published in the 1999 report on the State of the World's Forests. Additional, up-dated information on preliminary findings of FRA 2000 is found in Secretariat Note FO:APFC/2000/INF.5.

FOREST PRODUCTS

SUSTAINABLE FOREST HARVESTING AND ENGINEERING

31. The Forest Harvesting and Engineering Programme is actively supporting the sustainable development of forest resources and is promoting environmentally sound, economically feasible and socially acceptable forest operations. In particular the following activities were carried out or are under preparation to highlight the wide range of environmentally sound harvesting practices and to promote the Model Code of Forest Harvesting Practices at global, regional and national levels, as well as Guidelines on Forest Roads. The Model Code enables policy-makers to develop national, regional or local codes of practice which will best serve the particular needs of government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other constituents.

32. FAO has supported an ambitious range of activities in support of the implementation of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia Pacific, which was endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission at its seventeenth session. Implementation activities include awareness raising, generation of political support, training, study tours, development of demonstration sites, and exchange of technical information. Details on support for the implementation of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific are provided in Secretariat Note FO:APFC/2000/5. FAO is also providing substantial support to member countries for the development of national codes of practice for forest harvesting. Currently, at least 13 Asia-Pacific countries have developed, or are in the process of developing, national codes.

33. Working with a wide range of partners, FAO has initiated planning for an International Conference on Reduced Impact Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest Management, to be convened in early 2001.

34. These main activities are accompanied by a series of Forest Harvesting Case Studies in order to test the applicability of the codes in the APFC region. The following two study reports have already been published: Reduced Impact Timber Harvesting in the Tropical Natural Forest in Indonesia, and Environmentally Sound Forest Infrastructure Development and Harvesting in Bhutan.

35. Although the scope of the forest engineering programme is global, a number of issues are of relevance to the APFC region, such as the preparation of a Manual for the Planning, Design and Construction of Forest Roads in Mountainous Terrain, which is planned to be finished in 2001, and a study on Environmentally Sound Road Construction in Mountainous Terrain, Applying Advanced Operating Methods and Tools, which was published in 1998.

36. The Forest Harvesting Bulletin is regularly compiled and widely distributed to forest operations specialists, forest enterprises, and forest institutions in Asia and the Pacific.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT RELATED TO FOREST UTILIZATION

37. Under the current work on Environmental Impact Assessment Related to Forest Utilization, a study was carried out to establish a database which will catalogue information related to forest utilization in tropical broadleaved forests covering selected countries in tropical Asia. The results of this study will form the basis for understanding the effects of industrial timber harvesting activities on natural forest resources. Some data and results of the study will be made available through the Forest Resources Assessment 2000 project of FAO.

FOREST PRODUCTS TRADE AND MARKETING

38. A number of issues dealing with the Forest Products Trade Programme were addressed during the period. In particular the Programme has been closely involved with issues concerning the relationship between trade and sustainable forest development, including aspects of the environment and trade, and with trade restrictions and future trade negotiations. Two major publications were published: Trade restrictions and their impact on international trade in forest products" and the Chapter on Trade Restrictions and their Future in the ECE/FAO Timber Bulletin Forest products annual market review, 1998-1999. In Asia-Pacific, papers dealing with trade issues such as certification, trade restrictions and trade prospects were presented at various meetings and conferences: Prospects and challenges in supply, demand and trade and Global wood resources and forest products were presented to the International Workshop on the Changing Market of Global Tropical Forest Products and its Trends to the Year 2010, Beijing, China, December 1998; Trade instruments and their Impacts on Sustainable Forestry Development - to the Regional Seminar on Market-Based Instruments for Sustainable Forestry Development, Hanoi, Vietnam, June 1999; World market trends, trade of forest products and environment considerations to the China Forestry Policy Forum, Beijing, China, December 1999.

39. Work has continued on market access issues and trade policy topics, especially those related to sustainable forestry development and to a possible future global WTO round of trade negotiations. The Forestry Department has been closely involved with an FAO series of training workshops for developing countries Training course on the Uruguay Round and future multilateral trade negotiations in agriculture. In Asia-Pacific, regional courses are planned in Apia, Manila and Kathmandu. Training material on forestry has been prepared for these courses.

40. The Forest Products Marketing Programme has continued addressing issues of improved knowledge of current marketing practices, enhanced availability and access to marketing information, development of human resources for the marketing function and the recognition of the marketing function in forestry sector activities.

41. Specifically related to the APFC region, the Programme has completed a Compendium of forest products marketing databases which contains some one thousand databases. It will be published through the FAO website to contribute to the enhancement of the availability and access to marketing information. A review of studies on consumer attitudes towards forest products marketed with environmental, social and/or sustainability attributes was published as a contribution to the discussion on the certification of forest products. Guidelines for strengthening and establishment of log auction systems were published especially to assist the countries in transition to improve efficiency in raw timber marketing. Some case studies describing current marketing practices, although carried out in other regions, provide basic approaches for similar studies in Asia and the Pacific.

NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS

42. The Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFP) programme continued to actively support information gathering and networking activities in the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, support was provided to further develop the world-wide Directory of Agencies dealing with NWFP, by including updated entries received from the region. Two issues of the annual and global newsletter Non-Wood News and one issue under the Non-Wood Forest Products Series: "NWFP from Confiers" were published, which include several contributions or highlight case studies on the use of NWFP in countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

WOOD ENERGY PROGRAMME

43. The FAO Wood Energy Programme assisted member countries in the region for the collection and analysis of statistical data on wood energy production and consumption. "The role of wood energy in Asia" was published. The publication reviews and collates existing information and data on wood fuels and its related energy aspects at national level for countries in the region. Further support was provided by the Wood Energy Programme to the publication on Unified Wood Energy Terminology as to harmonize terms, definitions and concepts related to wood energy used in the region. In addition, two issues a year were published of the Forest Energy Forum, based on received contributions on wood energy from contacts in the region.

FORESTRY POLICY AND PLANNING

STRENGTHENING FORESTRY RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION SYSTEMS

44. Databases on Forestry Research Organizations and on Forestry Training and Education Institutions were up-dated. Both will be accessible on the internet, with an improved interface, during 2000. Directories (hard copy) will be published using the information contained in the databases.

45. Assistance to member countries in adapting their forestry education and extension systems and approaches to the new requirements and conditions in the forestry sector remained a main focus. A publication was produced on "Pluralism and sustainable forestry and rural development", following an international workshop on the same theme. Case studies were undertaken on forestry curriculum revision in different regions, including Asia, to gather information on current trends and practical experiences in implementing new approaches aiming at better assessing and responding to the changing needs in the sector. They will serve as a base for the publication of guidelines for forestry curriculum definition and revision.

46. Strengthening capacities and networking in forestry research in developing countries remained another main focus. FORSPA continued to support the development of the Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI). At the same time, specific support in research prioritisation and planning was given to countries with inadequately developed research capacity.

IMPROVING COUNTRY CAPACITY ON FORESTRY POLICY AND INSTITUTIONS

47. In the framework of the sub-regional project "Support to the Reorientation of Forestry Policies and Institutions of Countries of Asia in Reform to Market Economy" launched in 1996 with financial support from Japan, the policy and institutional development of China, Mongolia, Myanmar and Viet Nam have been studied and strengthened. The project supported a series of regional training workshops to develop capacity for economics and policy analysis, and together with the Chinese State Forestry Administration convened a major policy forum in Beijing, China, in December 1999.

48. Guidelines on contracts for the utilisation of forest in public lands are being prepared providing institutional and regulatory arrangements applicable to broad categories of situations in the region.

49. Methodologies are being developed to improve forestry policy assessment and implementation, given special importance to issues related to the intersectoral linkages and impact of external policies on forestry and to the implementation of policy instruments.

50. Case studies and comparative regional and sub-regional research aimed at the identification of the political, economic and legal factors that determine the efficiency and effectiveness of forestry institutions are being carried out.

PARTICIPATORY FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT

51. Participatory forestry activities, including those of the Forests, Trees and People Programme (FTPP), have focused on developing innovative approaches, methods and tools for community-based natural resource management and supporting participatory processes in the formulation and implementation of policy. Priority areas include market analysis and development (MA-&-D), participatory processes, gender, conflict management, rural learning networks, impact of decentralization on forest management and communities, and forestry and sustainable livelihoods.

52. FAO, together with the Regional Community Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC) and the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, organized the International Seminar on Decentralization and Devolution of Forest Management, in December 1998, in Davao, Philippines. The seminar was attended by nearly 200 individuals and highlighted the important movement toward decentralized forest management in the region. A publication based on the seminar presentations is in print.

53. Specific activities of the Community Forestry Unit in Asia have included:

• support to the "International Seminar on Decentralization and Devolution of Forest Management in Asia and the Pacific", held in the Philippines in December 1998.
• development of a MA-&-D manual in conjunction with partners in Nepal and Vietnam.
• field testing in Nepal of the farmer field school approach to community forestry.
• support for a workshop on "Capacity building for accommodating multiple interests in forest resource management in South Western China" held in collaboration with a network of Chinese institutions, Ford Foundation, and RECOFTC.
• development of a natural resource conflict management programme in South Western China to be funded by the Ford Foundation.

54. The Regional Community Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC) in Bangkok is the focal institution of the Forests, Trees and People Programme in Asia. More than 20 institutions from 11 countries are now actively involved as FTPP- Asia core partners. Activities were developed with a range of partners such as grassroots organizations, e.g. forest user federations, local and national NGOs, academic institutions, governmental organizations, regional training, research, support and network organizations; and international NGOs.

55. Activities carried out in the past two years in the region by FTPP-Asia included curriculum development support, training of trainers, training materials development, participatory process (including criteria and indicators for community-based forest management), land use planning, extension/farmer field school, market analysis and development, conflict management, and network development.

STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS (SOFO)

56. The State of the World's Forests 1999 was released, in the five languages of FAO, at COFO in March 1999. This was the third edition of the Forestry Department's flagship publication, which is published every two years. It presents the latest information on forests and the forestry sector world-wide in a way that is relevant and useful for policy makers and helps put national and regional developments into a global context. The next edition of the State of the World's Forests will be prepared for publication in 2001.

FOREST PROGRAMMES COORDINATION AND INFORMATION

SUPPORT TO NATIONAL FOREST PROGRAMMES

57. A global survey of the status and progress of the nfp implementation was presented to the third session of the Ibtergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF); it was revised in the light of comments received and the final draft was made available at IFF-4.

58. Support continued to nfps through the regional office and from FAO Headquarters, including the following:

• India, assistance to finalize the draft NFAP document;
• China, participation in discussions to draft nfp strategic planning document;
• Myanmar, organized training workshop on nfp Strategic Planning (Yangon, May 1999;
• Cambodia, participated in Regional Symposium on Strengthening Cooperation for Forestry Law Enforcement in Mekong River Basin Countries, (Phnom Penh, June 1999;
• Support to field programme activities in nfps in drafting a number of project documents/project proposals for the region and sub-region and for individual countries.

FORESTRY INFORMATION SYSTEM

59. The FAO Forestry website has been substantially improved in layout, content and linkages. Forest Resources Assessment data were placed on the Internet, reflecting data on FRA 2000. Major efforts were made to improve dissemination of FAO Forestry Papers, Conservation Guides and Miscellaneous Documents to member nations in Africa. New periodicals such as Non-wood News and Wood Energy Forum were launched and the regional magazine Wildlife and Nature was continued.

SUPPORT TO INITIATIVES IN THE FOLLOW-UP TO UNCED

60. FAO provided inputs to the Secretariat for IFF in terms of documentation and research and in the intersessional meetings under various Government-led initiatives. Under the partnership for the implementation of the IPF proposals for action, FAO chairs the informal, high level Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests (ITFF) and is the leading agency in four areas: national forest programmes, assessment of multiple benefits of all types of forests, criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought, and impact of airborne pollution on forests.

FORESTRY FIELD PROGRAMME

61. In Myanmar, three UNDP-funded projects (MYA/99/006, 007, 008) on environmentally sustainable food security and micro income opportunities in three different climatic/ environmental zones (dry, watershed, mangrove delta) are basically the third phase of respective predecessor projects. Forestry-related activities promoted by these projects include community forestry, agroforestry, production and distribution of energy/wood-saving stoves, and various awareness-raising activities.

62. In Sri Lanka, Project UNO/SRL/001/GEF, "Development of Wildlife Conservation and Protected Area Management" funded by the Global Environment Facility, is almost completed,. The project's duration was seven years, budgeted at US$4 million. The project is producing management plans for eight representative buffer zones, parks and protected areas. In addition, a project on conservation and management of selected rain forests in Sri Lanka is in the pipeline. So far, some management planning has been carried out for a total of 30 forests in the southern rain forest zone. It is important that the project introduces self-financing mechanisms and in general aims to optimize local benefit generation from management interventions.

63. FAO's programme in Cambodia focuses on food security and the forestry sector. FAO has helped initiate, together with WB and UNDP, a forestry reform process in the country and has made important contributions to forestry inventory and forestry education. FAO supported a senior expert on forestry programming and planning based in Phnom Penh, under SPPD project CMB/98/007, "Forestry Policy and Programme Formulation". The "Participatory Natural Resource Management in the Tonle Sap Region Project" (GCP/CMB/002/BEL, Phase II), is being executed in Siem Reap Province. Emphasis is on community responsibility and sustainable management of local resources to meet community needs. Project UNTS/CMB/001/DFI, "Forestry Crime Monitoring and Reporting", a three-year project with financing from the United Kingdom and AusAid, is establishing a systematic programme for detecting, recording and reporting forest crimes and for using the data in suppression activities. Implementation of a biodiversity project, UNTS/CMB/002/GEF, began in January 2000. In addition, follow-up actions are required in finalizing pipeline projects in community forestry and forestry inventory.

64. In India , project UTF/IND/166/IND is assisting the Uttar Pradesh Forestry Department in the establishment of a forestry management information system.

65. In Viet Nam, project GCP/VIE/020/ITA, "Country Capacity Strengthening for Implementation of NFAP in Vietnam" is assisting in the development of an appropriate methodology/approach for participatory planning, implementation, monitoring and devolution of forestry development at community level. Project GCP/VIE/023/BEL is developing participatory watershed management in the Hoanh Bo District (Quang Ninh Province).

66. In Pakistan, project GCP/PAK/083/JPN concerns integrated watershed management in Mithawan. The project has aimed to arrest land deterioration and conserve natural resources in the project area, emphasizing participatory approaches, establishment of local organizations and empowerment of and training for women. The project has introduced plantations of forest and fruit trees, a rotational grazing system to ameliorate degraded range resources, water harvesting techniques, check damming, terracing, boundary walls, etc., and has organized training courses on community mobilization and participatory development for Forest Department staff.

67. In China, project GCP/CPR/009/BEL, "Afforestation, Forestry Research, Planning and Development in the Three North Region of China"is assisting the regional bureau and the Ministry of Forestry in efforts to construct a "Great Green Wall" in the region, which comprises 40 percent of the country's land area. Working closely with that project is CPR/96/111, "Capacity Building for Implementing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification". Three projects are due to end in 2000: CPR/96/109, "Capacity Building and Demonstration for Research and Implementation of Sustainable Management of Temperate and Sub-tropical Forests in China", which is providing assistance to the Ministry of Forestry in the implementation of the Forestry Action Plan for China's Agenda 21; CPR/96/107, designed to strengthening China's institutional capacity for utilization and development of seabuckthorn, a species of considerable importance for the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and beverages and as a nitrogen fixing soil conservation species; and CPR/96/110, "Community Forestry in Support to Poverty Alleviation".

68. In Nepal, GCP/NEP/052/NEP, "Hills Leasehold Forestry and Forage Development Project, Phase II", is developing reforestation and reclamation activities through a 40-year hills leasehold.

69. Project RAS/97/330, "Pacific Islands Forests and Trees Support Programme", has just been completed. The project assisted Pacific Island developing countries in strengthening national and community capacities in the sustainable use, management, conservation and development of their forest and tree resources, emphasizing creation of employment opportunities and enhancement of sustainable livelihoods.

70. Regional projects include GCP/RAS/154/NET, "Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia", to contribute to an improved database on wood energy at the regional and national levels and to improve the capacity of institutions to generate, manage and assess such data at the regional, national and subnational levels, benefiting 16 countries; GCP/RAS/163/NET, "Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA)", which provides funding from the Netherlands for development and strengthening of the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI); and GCP/RAS/177/JPN, "Assistance for the implementation of the model forest approach for sustainable forest management", approved in February 2000 for a period of 30 months (China, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines).

The follow ing table summarises the recommendations of the Seventeenth Session of the Commission and the action taken or proposed.