Forestry

RAFO is the Forestry Department of the FAO Regional Office for Africa.

FAO/14090/Ch. Errath

Regional Role
Forestry Strategy
Forest Policy & Planning
Forest Resources
Forest Products

Regional Role

RAFO is the Forestry Departmental Group of the Regional Office for Africa. It is the outcome of a policy of decentralisation aimed at bringing FAO closer to the challenges and opportunities presented by the continent. FAO's forestry mandate in Africa is channelled through RAFO which is fast becoming the frontline contact in forestry matters with member countries, regional and sub-regional organisations. Backed by substantial core technical resources and expertise at its headquarters in Rome, RAFO provides technical assistance and advice geared to Africa on:

• The assessment, conservation and sustainable management of forest resources, defined broadly to include Africa's diverse forest ecosystems and wooded lands.
• The optimal utilisation of all kinds of goods and services provided from forest resources and aimed at satisfying human needs in perpetuity.
• The policy, institutional and socio-economic aspects of forestry development.
• The implementation of FAO's forestry programmes and projects in the field.

The decentralised set-up of FAO's Forestry Department enables RAFO to select and focus on regional priorities, which include:

• The contribution of Forestry to Food Security
• The implementation of a Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA)
• The African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC), for which RAFO serves as the Secretariat
• The publication of a regional magazine - Nature et Faune - specialising in wildlife and conservation issues of African concern
• The identification and preparation of projects and investment opportunities in forestry.

FAO's Forestry Strategy for Africa

The FAO Strategic Plan for Forestry describes the Organization's mission, goals, medium-term objectives, current priority activities and vision in forestry. Developed in collaboration with FAO member countries, partner institutions and organizations, and approved by the FAO Committee on Forestry in March 1999, the Strategic Plan for Forestry is a dynamic document. It will be continually developed and adapted to meet changing circumstances.

click here to read the plan

Forest Policy & Planning

The activities under this Division of FAO encompass the policy, institutional and socio-economic aspects of forestry development. RAFO works closely with FAO headquarters in the development of sector studies, support for policy development and institutional strengthening. The major programme areas are:

• Institutions and Policy
• Statistics and Sector Analysis
• Community Forestry Development
• National Forest Programmes

Forest Resources

The activities under this Division of FAO are concerned with the fundamental activities of assessment and management of forest and wildlife resources. The major programme areas are:

• Forest Resources Assessment and Management
• Tree Planting, Protection and Genetic Resources
• Forest Conservation, Wildlife and Contribution to Food Security

Support to African countries focuses mainly on capacity building for data collection and analysis, and on the improvement of knowledge of their forest resources. Conservation of fragile ecosystems and the collection of information on forests and wild fires are other priority areas. Aspects of wildlife management and national parks are mainly dealt with through field projects

Forest Products

The activities under this Division of FAO are concerned with the sustainable utilization of all types of forest products, both wood and non?wood, at varying levels of complexity of operation and size of enterprise. The major programme areas are:

• Wood and Non-Wood Products Utilisation
• Forest Harvesting, Trade and Marketing

Activities in this area consist mainly of collection and dissemination of information on forest products, technical assistance and advice to member countries on wood energy and non-wood forest product issues, as well as training workshops and seminars.

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