FO:APFC/2000/5

1. The Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific was developed by the member countries of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission through an exhaustive, participatory process, extending over two years. It was unanimously endorsed by the seventeenth session of the Commission, which mandated the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management to aggressively support its implementation. The Code provides practical guidance toward sustainable forest management, with particular emphasis on timber harvesting in natural forests.

RECENT AND ONGOING IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

2. Following endorsement of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific, APFC countries-working together with FAO and other partner organizations-have pursued numerous efforts to implement the Code. These activities include awareness raising, garnering of political support, information exchange, training, and development and implementation of national codes of practice. The program of activities involves governments, industry, non-governmental groups, and donor organizations from throughout the Asia-Pacific region, in an effort to build confidence and capacity for implementing the Code.

Awareness raising

• Notice of the Code's publication has been sent to scores of forestry newsletters and journals, which have publicized its availability.
• A flier/brochure describing the Code and possible avenues by which organizations and individuals can support its implementation has been produced and distributed.
• A 4-day study tour to Sabah, Malaysia, was organized for 21 high-level officials in March 1999 to assess experiences with reduced impact logging consistent with the Code, and to build awareness of the potential for applying such practices in other areas.

Political support

• The Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) formally endorsed the Code at its seventeenth session in February 1998.
• Australia spearheaded efforts to have the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) consider endorsement of the Code.
• Efforts are being made to have the Code endorsed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• South Pacific Heads of State previously endorsed the development and implementation of the Code of Conduct for Logging of Indigenous Forests in Selected South Pacific Countries and encouraged the development and implementation of national codes.
• Several national leaders have lent high-level endorsement for the implementation of national codes.

Training

• The Australian Ministry of Environment (Environment Australia) and the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission organized a 1-month "Training-of-Trainers" Workshop on Development and Implementation of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific, in May 1999, in Sabah, Malaysia (18 participants from 5 countries).
• The Pacific Islands Forests and Trees Support Programme organized a three-part "Training-of-Trainers" Workshop on Silvicultural Prescriptions and Reduced Impact Logging Techniques for participants from South Pacific countries in 1998 (Phase I was a 4-week workshop held in Papua New Guinea; Phase II was national-level workshops in each country; Phase III was a 1-week workshop in Vanuatu).
• Several bilateral assistance organizations (e.g., GTZ, AusAID, USAID, DFID) and NGOs are supporting training in reduced impact logging and sustainable forest management, consistent with the Code.
• Training materials in support of reduced impact logging and Code implementation have been, or are being, developed by a number of organizations in the region.
• Recognizing the importance of training at all levels, the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management is coordinating the development of a comprehensive Training Strategy in Support of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific.

Information exchange

• The Reduced Impact Logging Network ("RILNET"), an internet-based network, has been established to disseminate information, synopses of research, and notices of activities related to reduced impact logging and Code implementation; RILNET now has more than 300 subscribers.
• A "Regional Consultation on Implementation of Codes of Logging Practice and Directions for the Future" was organized by the SPC/UNDP/AusAID/FAO Pacific Islands Forests and Trees Support Programme and the Vanuatu Department of Forests, in July 1999, in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Development of national codes of practice for forest harvesting

• Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and several states in Australia have developed and formally adopted national or state codes of practice for forest harvesting.
• Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have drafted national codes and are in the process of formally adopting them.
• China, Indonesia, Samoa and Sri Lanka are in the process of drafting national codes.
• Mongolia, Pakistan and Vietnam have requested support from FAO to develop national codes.
• Several countries, which have existing "harvest guidelines," are reviewing those guidelines to determine whether they need to be revised or reformulated as national codes of practice for forest harvesting.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES AND NEEDS

3. Over the past year and a half, the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management has worked to draft a Regional Strategy for Implementing the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific (see APFC/2000/6). It is anticipated that this strategy will guide much of the future work in support of the Code. Among the activities that are planned for the near future are the following:

• Completion of the comprehensive Training Strategy in Support of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting.
• Continued support for the development of national codes.
• Studies of the economic and financial realities of implementing reduced impact logging.
• Organization of a major high-level "International Conference on the Application of Reduced Impact Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest Management" (tentatively scheduled for November 2000).
• Formulation of a proposal for operational-scale demonstration and training sites for reduced impact logging and Code implementation (to be conducted under an approved ITTO pre-project).

4. In addition to these activities, there is need for additional awareness-building activities, increased political and institutional support for Code implementation, development of codes for harvesting of forest products other than timber, additional targeted training, establishment of demonstration sites, development of technical field manuals and handbooks, and establishment of effective incentive structures and monitoring and control systems.

COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS

5. The Commission is invited to comment on progress in implementing the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific and related national codes. Priorities for future action and support may usefully be identified and highlighted. Delegates may wish to make recommendations on how the Commission (perhaps through continued work of the APFC ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management) and partner organizations can best advance implementation through collective, regional activities and approaches. Particular attention may be focused on the appropriateness of future collaboration between the APFC Working Group and ITTO and other partners, such as through the development of demonstration and training sites for reduced impact logging.

6. The Commission is also invited to express its views on the need for generating stronger political endorsement and support for implementing the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific and national codes. In line with this, the Commission is requested to take note of the high-level "International Conference on the Application of Reduced Impact Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest Management" being planned for late 2000 or early 2001. The Commission may wish to comment on the appropriateness of participation in the Conference by ministers responsible for forestry, or similar high-ranking officials, to demonstrate firm commitment to sustainable forest management.