January 1997
COFO-97/7/Supp.1
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January 1997 |
COFO-97/7/Supp.1 |
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| |
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COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY |
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Item 10 of Provisional Agenda |
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THIRTEENTH SESSION |
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Rome, Italy, 10-13 March 1997 |
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MEDIUM-TERM STRATEGY (1998-2003) AND
PRIORITIES FOR THE |
INTRODUCTION1. Paragraphs 36 to 61 of the main document provided preliminary indication of priorities and key activities proposed for the 1998-99 biennium. Prepared at a subsequent stage, this Supplement presents a further elaboration of these, with attendant tentative budgetary provisions for 1998-99 concerning Major Programme 2.4, Forestry. As was done in the past, the format of this Supplement aims to provide a preview of proposals for forestry, to be eventually included in the Summary Programme of Work and Budget 1998-99, which is to be submitted to the Hundred and Twelfth Session of the Council in June 1997, through the Programme and Finance Committees. 2. It bears recalling that, according to the policy guidance issued to them in late 1996, all units in the Secretariat, including the Forestry Department and Regional and Sub-regional Offices, were requested to shape their proposals for the next biennium within the framework of zero real growth over the approved levels for the present 1996-97 biennium. 3. At the time of processing this Supplement, overall policy decisions on the balance of resources among budgetary chapters, major programmes and programmes resulting from the review of these proposals and, therefore, the precise contents of the Summary Programme of Work and Budget 1998-99 had not yet been finalized. The budgetary allocations therein should be considered provisional. Nevertheless, they should enlighten the Committee about basic allocation patterns and facilitate its task of making recommendations to the Council. 4. Also worthy of note is that, as decided by the Programme and Finance Committees at their January 1997 session, the presentation of estimates in programme-budget documents should henceforth incorporate anticipated income, which in the case of Major Programme 2.4, Forestry, is forecast as follows:
5. Annex 1 provides a summary of the Programme of Work and Appropriation for Forestry. The proposals outlined below describe the full Programme of Work rather than just the amount to be appropriated as had been the case in the past. PROPOSALS FOR MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.4: FORESTRY(All amounts in US$ 000)
6. As recalled in the main document, the roles that trees and forests play in sustainable development and in human wellbeing have been clearly recognized by UNCED and the CSD. More recently, the WFS Plan of Action called on forestry to contribute to improving food security. This is intimately linked to the role of forests in sustainable development. The prospects for forestry are therefore evolving towards mutually reinforcing responses to the WFS Plan of Action and to UNCED Agenda 21 in ensuring sustainable development, meeting the needs of growing populations and alleviating rural poverty. 7. In 1998-99, special priority is to be given to the Global Forest Resources Assessment, technical information needed by countries to implement UNCED commitments and to develop criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, the community forestry programme, strategic planning and policy formulation, National Forests Action Plans (NFPs) as a vehicle for capacity building and planning and enhancing the value of forest products. Programme 2.4.1: Forest Resources(All amounts in US$ 000)
8. The programme contributes to the achievement of objectives of the World Food Summit, specifically in fostering sustainable forestry practices, which are an essential prerequisite to adequate food supplies at the household, national, regional and global levels. Sound forest resources management is also expected to have its due place in the implementation of the Special Programme on Food Security, through measures for the enhancement, protection and conservation of soil, water and genetic resources, combating drought and desertification, as well as the elaboration of interface between forestry and agriculture. Sub-programme 2.4.1.1: Forest Resources Assessment and Management 9. This sub-programme covers global assessment and systematic observation of forest resources and the sustainable management of forest ecosystems, through collaboration and partnership with international, regional, sub-regional and national institutions. 10. With respect to the management of forests and forest ecosystems, the sub-programme will provide assistance to countries in the conceptualization, development and implementation of criteria and indicators, as well as the elaboration of guidelines for sustainable forest management. Countries and regions will also require assistance in monitoring the effects of forest management measures on forest ecosystems and in improving methodologies to ensure their sustainability, with special reference given to sites marginal to plant growth and fragile ecosystems. 11. The major priority on forest resources assessment will translate into periodic reports on the state and change of global forest resources. Attention is given to the capacity of countries to assess forest resources information needed for the development and implementation of national forest strategies and policies. Forest resources assessment will rely on: sub-regional "Lead Centres" as a means of strengthening national capacities; networking and technical cooperation between developing countries; and further efforts to ensure compatibility of concepts and terminology. Sub-programme 2.4.1.2: Tree Planting, Protection and Genetic Resources 12. The sub-programme covers the conservation of forest genetic resources, the protection of trees and forests, and the creation and sound management of forest plantations to satisfy the social, environmental and economic needs of society. It directly supports normative functions of data collection, analysis and dissemination. It will give due attention to extending the range and improving the reliability of the information collected and published within the framework of the Global Forest Resources Assessment Programme, e.g. on such aspects as biological diversity, forest plantations, and forest health and vitality. 13. Work on forest protection will continue to aim at safeguarding the health and vitality of forest resources from insects, diseases and other harmful biotic and abiotic agents through support to networks and the provision of advice to national institutions in developing countries on preventive measures, integrated control of insect/disease outbreaks and actions aimed at minimizing the risks for their transboundary transfer. Activities also include the compilation and dissemination of global forest fire statistics. 14. An important element of this sub-programme is the conservation of forest genetic resources. The effects of deforestation, forest degradation and intensified forest management (including the establishment of forest plantations) on biological diversity and genetic resources will be assessed, together with the development of methods for counteracting possible negative effects. Support will be provided to national programmes of in situ and ex situ conservation of forest genetic resources, within the overall framework of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), and under the technical and scientific guidance of the Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources. Through collaboration with national institutions and international partners, country-driven efforts will be supported, aiming at a coordinated global plan of action for forest genetic resources. Exchange of technologies and dissemination of information will also be carried out. 15. This sub-programme also includes work in plantation development and tree improvement, including support for national programmes in afforestation, reforestation and tree planting, using physiologically and genetically optimal reproductive materials. It will continue to collect, analyze and disseminate information related to forest plantations and the domestication of forest tree species, and support training and the development of practical, well-focused handbooks and guides. Additional activities include assistance to countries on the availability and use of optimal planting materials, including exchange of reproductive materials and technologies for their conservation and improvement at local and national levels. Sub-programme 2.4.1.3: Forest Conservation, Wildlife and Contribution to Food Security 16. This sub-programme addresses the improvement and promotion of agroforestry systems to heighten their contribution to food security and income generation; the use of tree and forest resources in dry regions for the rehabilitation of degraded lands and as contribution to food security; and the contribution of wildlife and protected areas to the wellbeing of rural people. 17. Work on agroforestry and urban forestry includes development of the information base required for the planning and implementation of agroforestry programmes to improve land use, supplement household income and increase food security. National level analysis will be carried out on the role of agroforestry in food security and cost-effective implementation of agroforestry projects. Activities in urban forestry will aim at better understanding of the impact of demographic trends, particularly urbanization, on forests, and to provide advice on improved planning and implementation of urban forestry programmes. 18. Work in arid zone forestry and desertification control will support the implementation of UNCED Agenda 21 Chapter 12 and the Convention to Combat Desertification, primarily through dissemination of technologies and information on dryland tree and shrub species and their use in reforestation, afforestation and soil conservation, and advice on land rehabilitation, fuel and fodder production. 19. Work in watershed management and sustainable mountain development will centre on the implementation of Agenda 21, Chapter 13, on sustainable mountain development, in view of FAO's task manager role for this chapter. With the objective of contributing to food security and integrated mountain development, viable livelihood systems in mountain ecosystems will continue to be documented, with special reference to employment and income generation. Support will be mobilized for regional networks and groups, especially in Africa and Latin America and cooperation will be pursued with those existing in Europe. An international expert consultation on sustainable mountain development is to be organized. 20. Main activities related to wildlife and protected area management will include an international expert consultation on conservation and sustainable rural development; documenting technologies relating to husbandry of wild animals for food and income; promoting integrated conservation and development measures especially in buffer zones; updating publications on protected area management, including the promotion of eco-tourism; and facilitating information exchange on wildlife and protected areas management, especially in developing countries. In the Latin America region, support to the work of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty will have due prominence. Programme 2.4.2: Forest Products(All amounts in US$ 000)
21. This programme's main contribution to follow up to the World Food Summit will be in terms of promoting the efficient and sustainable utilization of forest resources to recover the full value of goods and services and to foster employment and income generation for rural populations. Non-wood forest products, as a source of food and income, will receive increased attention. Sub-programme 2.4.2.1: Wood and Non-wood Products Utilization 22. Under the element dealing with the promotion and development of non-wood forest products (NWFP), wise management and conservation of NWFP will be promoted through: the dissemination of key information; improved networking among NWFP stakeholders; appraisal of NWFP socio-economic impact, including their contribution to income generation and food security; and assistance in the development of appropriate (forest) policies for equitable resource access and benefit distribution. FAO should retain its role of global centre of excellence in this area. 23. Under the element on appropriate wood industries, the results obtained by the Global Fibre Supply Study (GFSS) will be presented to the international forestry community. Governments will be encouraged to improve their collection of economic wood supply data as a tool for monitoring the sustainable use of their resources. In addition, emphasis will be given to technology transfer for the processing of plantation wood in small and medium-scale manufacturing units. Cooperation with the forest industry private sector will be strengthened through the FAO Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products, which now includes a complete range of representatives from the primary wood industry (sawmilling, panels, pulp and paper). 24. Under the element dealing with fuelwood, charcoal and wood energy, the Wood Energy Information System will be expanded to include data on consumption, trade and production of woody biofuels. Other activities will be the dissemination of methodological tools for planning sustainable wood energy systems, with special attention to arid and semi-arid areas, as well as natural disasters and man-made emergencies; and the preparation of documents on relevant technical and economic wood energy topics. Sub-programme 2.4.2.2: Forest Harvesting, Trade and Marketing 25. Work on forest engineering, harvesting and transport will give emphasis to the collection and the dissemination of information on environmentally sound forest engineering and harvesting practices, and case studies to promote reduced impact forest utilization. The FAO Model Code on Forest Harvesting Practice will be used as a guide to assist member countries in the development of sub-regional and national codes. Practical guidelines on forest road planning and construction will be formulated. 26. Work on trade and market analysis will continue to address key issues which have an impact on trade development and the improvement of trade practices. These include the assessment of trade restrictions affecting forest products, the long-term outlook for trade, the analysis of trade trends and relationships, and the investigation of the interrelationship between trade and the environment. The latter includes the monitoring and investigation of the effects of certification and labelling schemes on trade. 27. The activities on forest products marketing will cover the analysis of current practices in marketing of both wood and non-wood forest products, improvement of access to marketing information through identification of relevant databases, preparation of training material and support to training activities, and the strengthening of institutional capacities. A specific area of attention will be the improved marketing of high-value goods in developing countries. Programme 2.4.3: Forestry Policy and Planning(All amounts in US$ 000)
28. This programme addresses the policy and institutional framework of forestry as well as its socio-economic dimensions, including future developments of the sector and its contribution to overall sustainable development and food security. In direct response to the WFS Plan of Action and to UNCED's Agenda 21 policy advice and strategic planning, community forestry and National Forest Programmes (NFPs) will receive priority. Sub-programme 2.4.3.1: Institutions and Policy 29. The evolution of the institutional framework for forestry will be monitored and analyzed, particularly in respect of the political, economic and legal factors affecting the efficiency of forestry institutions and hampering the achievement of a desired level of performance. Methodologies for organizational analysis and assessment of institutional performance will be developed. Work at regional level will focus on the decentralization process and on regional strategies for institutional changes. Special attention will be given to countries in Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean in which the forest sector plays a major role and where institutional arrangements constitute a constraint to the sustainable management of forest resources. 30. The element on forestry eduction will support updating and reorienting forestry education curricula, taking into account recent changes in the forestry profession. The existing database and directory of educational opportunities and institutions will be updated. Work on forestry extension and public awareness will promote the development and use of flexible extension methodologies and guidelines, tools for extension and end-users and modern extension systems. Special attention will be given to countries in transition, particularly in Europe, Africa and the Near East. 31. The forestry research element will aim at strengthening national forestry research institutions through networking arrangements. The establishment of a Forestry Research Network in Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA) will be sought in cooperation with international organizations such as CIFOR, IUFRO and ICRAF, as well as exploring similar opportunities for regional cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East and North Africa. Attention will also be given to reflecting newest scientific advances in FAO's work on sustainable management of forest ecosystems and attendant advice on forestry policies and decision-making. 32. Methodologies for assessing forest policies' formulation, implementation and evaluation will be further developed to assist governments and forestry institutions in improving their policy analysis capacity. A regional survey of forest policies in Latin America and the Caribbean will be completed. The current trends to merge forestry with environmental policies and institutions and the creation of regional and sub-regional economic alliances in forestry will be evaluated. In the African and Asia-Pacific Regions, policy measures in support of decentralization processes and devolution of forest management practices will be assessed. Sub-programme 2.4.3.2: Statistics and Sector Analysis 33. FAO will seek to add value to its wealth of forestry statistical information through analytical studies and future outlook developments. The studies will provide an essential baseline for the sector's policy dialogue and formulation and for planning, as well as inputs into the formulation of NFPs. Integrated analysis and interpretation will be undertaken for forest resources information and forest products data within a broader development context through the WAICENT system, also incorporating external social and economic information. Analytical studies will, inter alia, identify implications of external and internal developments for policy strategy and options for action and will constitute an important contribution to the biennial State of the World's Forests and to the planned study World Agriculture - Towards 2025. 34. A regional Forestry Sector Outlook Study for Latin America and the Caribbean will follow the Asia-Pacific study undertaken during 1996-97 (for the latter activities will, during 1998-99, focus on follow-up actions). Monitoring shifts in consumption among wood products and substitution as well as changes at the interface between primary and secondary forest products will receive attention. Preliminary preparations will be made for the Sixth European Timber Trends Study (jointly with the UN-ECE). 35. Attention will be given to improving the coverage and quality of international statistics of the forestry sector. This will be served by the recently initiated process of quality enhancement and upgrading, including consumption and conversion coefficients for both fuelwood and industrial products. Development of coefficients will also be initiated to estimate the potential economically accessible yield of gross biomass, and of usable industrial raw material from the forest resources assessment information and from non-forest wood. Depending on the availability of funding, training will be undertaken in priority countries suffering severe weakening or dislocation of statistical services. 36. With regard to forestry sector development planning, methodologies for valuation of forests will be further improved, and guidelines for better reflection of forestry in national income accounts further developed. Subject to extra-budgetary support, investment will be a new thrust - with attention being given to funding flows monitoring, study of conditions for increasing investment, and training in investment preparation. FAO's task manager role for forestry for UNCED follow-up will be supported, together with the Commission on Sustainable Development including the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests, should its work continue into the 1998-99 biennium. Sub-programme 2.4.3.3: Community Forestry Development 37. The promotion of participatory approaches to improve people's food security and livelihoods through locally-based natural resource management is the major thrust of this sub-programme. Work on participatory methods and tools will be reoriented towards the development of a comprehensive package which incorporates the most recent experiences and knowledge. The recently developed training package in gender analysis and forestry will be adapted for Latin America and francophone West Africa. Conflict management will be the subject of a series of training materials and attendant activities. 38. Cooperation with the International Forestry Resources and Institutions Programme (IFRI) of the Indiana University will continue on local institutional, socioeconomic and cultural values to be incorporated in forest assessments, with the aim to develop practical cost-effective methodologies. As a complement to activities on communal forest management, private household forest management will be addressed in the light of potential food and income benefits and opportunities for the most vulnerable groups. Sub-programme 2.4.3.4: National Forests Action Programme 39. FAO will continue to promote national forest programmes (NFPs) as an appropriate framework for planning forest sector activities and policy formulation. The sub-programme will: assist countries to secure international support to implement NFPs; provide technical assistance through a team of advisers, workshops, training courses and networking; disseminate information on NFP ongoing processes and continued adaptation of the NFP concept to evolving contexts. Activities will also include monitoring implementation progress, continuous updating of country briefs and preparation of technical guidelines. Sub-programme 2.4.3.5: International Liaison and Information 40. This sub-programme includes secretariat support to FAO's main policy bodies in forestry, including the Regional Forestry Commissions and COFO. Further efforts will be made to strengthen the role of the regional commissions. 41. The quarterly forestry journal Unasylva will continue, as well as efforts for the increased dissemination of FAO forestry information and dialogue with the public at large through an expanded Internet presence. Programme 2.4.9: Programme Management(All amounts in US$ 000)
42. This programme covers the immediate Office of the Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, the Offices of the Division Directors, the Department's Management Support Unit and those portions of the Offices of the Regional Representatives which are applicable to Major Programme 2.4, Forestry. 43. The increase reflects a technical adjustment which is aimed at correcting historical under-budgeting of departmental operating expenses and meet the full biennial cost effect of posts added to the 1996-97 Programme of Work and Budget. |
|
Programme and Major Programme |
Description |
1996-97 Base |
Programme Change |
1998-99 Proposal before Cost Increases | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
Income |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Income |
| |||
|
|
|
Programme of Work |
Internal Transfers |
Other Income |
Appropriation |
Programme of Work |
Internal Transfers |
Other Income |
Appro-priation |
Programme of Work |
Internal Transfers |
Other Income |
Appro-priation |
|
2411 |
Forest Resources Assessment and Management |
2 684 |
65 |
61 |
2 558 |
157 |
0 |
0 |
157 |
2 841 |
65 |
61 |
2 715 |
|
2412 |
Tree Planting, Protection and Genetic Resources |
1 787 |
39 |
37 |
1 711 |
28 |
14 |
15 |
(1) |
1 815 |
53 |
52 |
1 710 |
|
2413 |
Forest Conservation, Wildlife and Contribution to Food Security |
3 424 |
71 |
64 |
3 289 |
22 |
10 |
10 |
2 |
3 446 |
81 |
74 |
3 291 |
|
241 |
Forest Resources |
7 895 |
175 |
162 |
7 558 |
207 |
24 |
25 |
158 |
8 102 |
199 |
187 |
7 716 |
|
2421 |
Wood & Non-Wood Products Utilization |
2 367 |
25 |
22 |
2 320 |
(11) |
11 |
10 |
(32) |
2 356 |
36 |
32 |
2 288 |
|
2422 |
Forest Harvesting, Trade & Marketing |
2 450 |
19 |
17 |
2 414 |
(61) |
14 |
11 |
(86) |
2 389 |
33 |
28 |
2 328 |
|
242 |
Forest Products |
4 817 |
44 |
39 |
4 734 |
(72) |
25 |
21 |
(118) |
4 745 |
69 |
60 |
4 616 |
|
2431 |
Institutions and Policy |
2 915 |
30 |
36 |
2 849 |
30 |
0 |
(6) |
36 |
2 945 |
30 |
30 |
2 885 |
|
2432 |
Statistics and Sector Analysis |
3 725 |
27 |
236 |
3 462 |
133 |
7 |
(118) |
244 |
3 858 |
34 |
118 |
3 706 |
|
2433 |
Community Forestry Development |
1 535 |
20 |
17 |
1 498 |
(108) |
0 |
0 |
(108) |
1 427 |
20 |
17 |
1 390 |
|
2434 |
National Forests Action Programme |
2 082 |
26 |
26 |
2 030 |
(163) |
0 |
0 |
(163) |
1 919 |
26 |
26 |
1 867 |
|
2435 |
International Liaison and Information |
2 300 |
0 |
0 |
2 300 |
(145) |
0 |
0 |
(145) |
2 155 |
0 |
0 |
2 155 |
|
243 |
Forestry Policy and Planning |
12 557 |
103 |
315 |
12 139 |
(253) |
7 |
(124) |
(136) |
12 304 |
110 |
191 |
12 003 |
|
2491 |
Departmental Direction |
3 361 |
0 |
0 |
3 361 |
213 |
0 |
0 |
213 |
3 574 |
0 |
0 |
3 574 |
|
2492 |
Divisional Direction |
1 318 |
0 |
0 |
1 318 |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
1 370 |
0 |
0 |
1 370 |
|
2493 |
Regional and Sub-Regional Offices |
1 236 |
0 |
0 |
1 236 |
(37) |
0 |
0 |
(37) |
1 199 |
0 |
0 |
1 199 |
|
249 |
Programme Management |
5 915 |
0 |
0 |
5 915 |
228 |
0 |
0 |
228 |
6 143 |
0 |
0 |
6 143 |
|
|
TOTAL |
31 184 |
322 |
516 |
30 346 |
110 |
56 |
(78) |
132 |
31 294 |
378 |
438 |
30 478 |