BACKGROUND

1. The growing world-wide interest in sustainable forest management, based on economically, environmentally and socially balanced forest policies, underscores the need for good, reliable and timely data on forests resources, forest products and trade. Over the last five years, governments have discussed internationally a range of issues underpinning sustainable forest management (Intergovernmental Panel on Forests 1995-1997; Intergovernmental Forum on Forests 1998-2000). While there has been considerable agreement on a number of points (for example, the importance of national forest programmes) substantive progress on many aspects relating to improved forest management and better forestry planning and policies are clearly constrained by a lack of timely, accurate and reliable information on forest resource conditions and utilisation. Equally constraining has been the lack of concrete and compelling valuations of forest outputs such water, fuels, fodder, foods, etc. In the absence of solid information on the state and changing condition of the forest resource and the value of its outputs, forestry remains non-competitive with most other land uses. Not being armed with clear facts and figures, forestry administrations are unable to effectively make the case for policy reform and financial resource allocations within their governments.

2. For a number of countries in the region, existing data are not accurate or complete enough to serve as a basis for national strategic policy decisions on sustainable forest management or as a basis for private sector investment. Improved data are needed to provide governments with the information needed to establish the proper policies and procedures to implement appropriate management methods and approaches for both wood and non-wood products and valuable forest services. Reliable information on the quality and character of the forest resources, the existing uses being made of the forest, and the potential markets for forest products are necessary for developing private sector commitment to and investment in sustainable forest management.

3. An expanded database that includes new information on, for example, fuelwood, non-wood forest products or forest services such as water production is essential to formulate appropriate policies based on criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. While some of this information is available within selected countries, it is not available for all, nor is it available at a regional level. In order to collect this new information, new methods of data gathering must be developed and capacity built within the forestry sector to collect and manage the information.

4. As part of its commitment to strengthen country capacity and deepen the international base of information available on forests and their utilisation, FAO is completing the Global Forest Resource Assessment 2000 (FRA 2000). Through FRA 2000 , FAO is seeking to strengthen knowledge and capacity in member countries to assess the state of their forest resources and how these resources are changing over time. The results of the FRA 2000 and other key programmes activities of the FAO are being disseminated, inter alia, from the Forestry Department's enhanced and expanded internet site. Basic information on the forestry situation in each country is presented at: http://www.fao.org/forestry/FO/COUNTRY/nav_world.jsp.

5. This basic information system is being constructed to support and enhance the efforts of member countries to share critical facts and figures on the forestry situation in each country. Countries are invited to participate in improving and enhancing this information system. Links to key forestry institutions in each country are provided, as well as important forestry contacts. The system will be expanded with regional and country representatives in the forestry sector playing a more and more active role in updating and maintaining the accuracy and currency of the information presented.

6. A key factor in improving information on forests is to build country capacity to analyse and use information for policy formulation and monitoring progress in implementing policies. With increased institutional capacity there will be an increased demand for reliable information. This will, in turn, facilitate the collection of information for FAO's international database.

KEY QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

• What are the best mechanisms for ensuring that forestry information is accurate and current?
• Is there a way to use information sharing as a way of strengthening the analytical capacity of countries to examine policy options for better forest management and sustainable development of the forest sector?
• What are the specific information needs in the region?
• What measures could be taken to increase both the demand and supply of information on forests in the region?