FAO and its partners (United States Forest Service, GFCM, The Global Fire Partnership(IUCN/TNC/WWF), Fire Advisory Group (WMO,UNCCD, UNCBD, UNFCCC, UNFF, UN-ISDR, UNU-EHS) have developed fire management voluntary guidelines. These guidelines are intended to establish principles in accordance with the relevant rules of international law for responsible fire management activities, taking into account all relevant biological, technological, economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. They provide guidance that may be used, where appropriate, in the formulation and implementation of international instruments, both binding and voluntary. While formulating these guidelines special consideration were given to social and community values, and appropriate ways which engage the community in fire management planning and implementation.

Voluntary planted forest guidelines bring together principles that apply to planted forests grown to fulfill productive functions for provision of wood, fibre and non-wood forest products or protective functions for provision of environmental and/or social services. They cover all aspects of planted forests, from policy development and planning, through technical considerations of plantation management and supply chain links to marketing, industry and trade. These guidelines are non-legally binding in nature and were developed to link international, national and local enabling environments. They have been tailored for policy, planning and management decision makers in the Government, private sector or non-governmental organizations to balance the social, cultural, environmental and economic dimensions of planted forest management and to increase their contributions towards sustainable livelihoods and land use.