World of forestry

First session of UNCSD intergovernmental panel on forests

The first session of the Open-ended Ad Hoc intergovernmental Panel on Forests of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development was held in New York from 11 to 15 september 1995. The main scope of the meeting was to set its programme of work.

In this regard, the Panel reconfirmed the task given to it by the CSD as set out in its 11-point terms of reference, grouped under five headings:

• the implementation of UNCED decisions related to forests at the national and international level including an examination of sectoral and cross-sectoral linkages;
• international cooperation in financial assistance and technology transfer;
• scientific research, forest assessment and development of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management;
• trade and environment relating to forest products and services;
• international organizations and multilateral institutions and instruments including appropriate legal mechanisms.

The Panel stressed the need for a broad and active involvement of and contribution from major groups, including the private sector and non-governmental organizations. it also recommended all countries and organizations planning or proposing to organize meetings relevant to the work of the Panel to ensure a balanced and active involvement of developed and developing countries from all regions and groups (see below, List of activities organized by governments and organizations).

The Panel noted with satisfaction the establishment of a collaborative interagency arrangement comprising "the organizations most directly concerned with forest issues, particularly FAO, UNEP, UNDP, the World Bank, the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and ITTO". consistent with its role as "task manager" for UNCED follow-up in forestry and mountain development, the arrangement is chaired by Mr D. Harcharik, Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, FAO.

The Panel elected two co-chairmen: Sir Martin Holdgate of the United Kingdom and Mr N.R. Krishnan of India, as well as regional vice-chairmen from Latin America (Mr M. Rodriguez, Colombia), Africa (M J. Boussienguet, Gabon) and countries with economies in transition (Mr A.I. Pisarenko, Russian Federation).

The Panel will be supported by a secretariat based in New York at UNDP-CSD. the secretariat will be chaired by Mr J. Maini (Canada) and composed of full-time staff from UNDP-CSD, FAO, ITTO and UNEP as well as part-time staff from the World Bank and a communications specialist from UNDP.

future sessions of the Panel will be held in Geneva in March 1996, in September 1996 (venue to be determined) and in New York in early 1997. the final report of the Panel will be presented in 1997 to the fifth session of the CSD which will report to the 1997 Special Session of the un General Assembly to evaluate progress in UNCED follow-up.

List of activities organized by governments and organizations in relation to the work of the intergovernmental Panel on Forests

• implementing the forest principles: promotion of national forest and land-use programmes. June 1996. Sponsored by Germany.
• Study and workshop on consumption patterns and the long-term supply and demand of forest products and their relation to sustainable forest management. Date to be determined. Sponsored by Norway.
• Desertification, rehabilitation and reforestation of degraded forest lands. Date to be determined. Sponsored by Portugal.
• Workshop on financial mechanisms, sources and coordination, including innovative financial resources and issues related to financial resources and incentives within the context of the forest sector. Date to be determined. Sponsored by Denmark and UNDP.
• Forest valuation. Date to be determined. Sponsored by France.
• Intergovernmental seminar of experts on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. 19-23 August 1996. Sponsored by Finland.
• Conference on the certification and labelling of sustainably produced forest products. Date to be determined. Sponsored by Australia.
• Certification of forest products and trade. August 1996. Sponsored by Germany.
• Study on the work of international organizations and multilateral institutions in the forest sector. October 1995-September 1996. Sponsored by Switzerland and Peru.