Forest products and services, international trade
Joint UNECE Timber Committee and FAO European Forestry Commission Policy Forum on
National and local governments are major consumers of wood and paper products. Several governments have developed, or are in the process of doing so, purchasing policies for forest products with the purpose of using market requirements as an instrument to ensure that products come from legal and sustainably managed sources. These policies are seen as complementary instruments to contribute to sustainable forest management, since they provide role models for the general public.
The UNECE and FAO are planning a policy forum on “Public procurement policies for wood and paper products and their impacts on sustainable forest management and timber markets.” The expert presentations and discussions will take place on 5 October 2006 as a one-day, in-session policy forum during the 64th Timber Committee session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The objective is to provide a neutral forum for all stakeholders to discuss the role that national public procurement policies can play in making progress towards sustainable forest management, and how these policies affect forest products markets and industries.
The policy forum shall provide an opportunity to exchange experiences from states having introduced procurement policies, learn about the practical problems of the suppliers that arise from the various existing national rules, and to discuss how the effectiveness of procurement policies could be improved. The forum strives to contribute to the international dialogue among all stakeholder groups, inside and outside the forest sector.
Key questions to focus the workshop include:
1. Are the public procurement policies effective in achieving their goals?
2. What are the impacts of public procurement, including their implications for markets for wood and paper products?
3. How can public procurement policies avoid creating market barriers?
4. How can implementation procedures be improved (including instruments for verification of legality and sustainability as well as alternative options for evidence?
5. Are there needs or possibilities for harmonized approaches in public procurement policies?
Participation is open to government policy makers (especially those having or considering public procurement policies), as well as experts from NGOs, scientific bodies, industry and trade organizations, national and international certification schemes, private forest owners’ organizations and international organizations. Representation will be global.
A draft discussion paper has been prepared with a synthesis of the available information on public timber procurement policies. The document presents a comparative analysis of these policies, assesses their potential impacts and identifies key issues for further discussion.
For updates and further information: http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/docs/tc-sessions/tc-64/tc-64.htm
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Mr. Wulf Killmann, Director
FAO Forest Products and Economics Division
Tel. No. +39 06 5705 3221
Fax No. +39 06 5705 5618
E-mail: Wulf.Killman@fao.org
Mr. Kit Prins, Chief
UNECE/FAO Timber Section, Trade Development and Timber Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Tel. No. +41 22 917 2480
Fax No. +41 22 917 0037
E-mail: Christopher.Prins@unece.org