Cairo, 19 April 2007: The Regional Office for the Near East of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will today launch the Forestry Outlook Study for West and Central Asia (FOWECA), which was carried out by the Near East Forestry Commission with the involvement of all member countries.

The conclusion of the Forestry Outlook Study highlights that arresting desertification, protecting watersheds and improving the greenery especially in the urban centres, will remain the most important functions of forests and trees in the West and Central Asian countries.

The study draws attention to the low forest cover and the high state of degradation of vegetation, underscoring the urgency of increased efforts to enhance the environmental services provided by forests and trees. Rapid urbanization will require significant investments in urban greening to improve the quality of life.

Increasing demand for wood and wood products

Unfavorable environmental conditions, the report points out, will limit the ability of the region to produce sufficient wood to meet its growing demand. Wood and wood products imports, valued at about US$ 12.7 billion in 2005, is likely to double in the next 15 years if the current trends in income and demographic change persists. The report also notes the growing demand for woodfuel, especially charcoal, notwithstanding the availability of fossil fuels.

Policy and institutional changes critical

To improve the forest situation in the region, FAO says countries should invest substantially in updating policies and strengthening institutions. Reinventing forestry institutions is seen as the most important pre-requisite for improving the situation.

"Often institutional rigidities undermine the ability to take full advantage of new opportunities and to use of available financial resources effectively" said Mr. Djiby Kone, Senior Forestry Officer and Executive Secretary of the Near East forestry commission at the FAO Regional Office for the Near East.

Stability and peace, the report notes, are unavoidable to improve the situation. In fact conflicts and consequent instability are major factors adversely affecting conservation and management of forests and woodlands.

Need to enhance regional cooperation

The report emphasizes the need for inter-country collaboration to address many of the common issues. Most problems - like watershed degradation, desertification, forest fires and pests and diseases - require substantial strengthening of regional and sub-regional collaboration.

FAO undertakes global and regional forest sector outlook studies at regular intervals to provide a picture of future changes. These studies help to improve the formulation and implementation of the national forest programmes.