8. In the absence of the usual national reports, due to short notice, the Secretariat note FO:AFWC/2004/2, highlighted the perspectives of forestry and wildlife in Africa based on the outcome of the Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA). This study identified major challenges for forestry and wildlife in Africa, especially agriculture expansion and the rising demand for forestry products (firewood, bushmeat, pharmacopea) which, in the absence of sustainable management, inevitably result in further forest and land degradation. The paper recognized the vital contribution of forestry to food security and poverty reduction but warned that commercialization and trade in forest products would, in the absence of sustainable forest management, inevitably lead to further forest depletion and resource-related conflicts. The paper identified opportunities at the national level through decentralization and participatory approaches, and at the regional level through initiatives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), especially the Environment Programme and the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). Key sub-regional features identified by FOSA were highlighted to illustrate diversities and specificities. The Commission noted the follow-up to FOSA recommendations by FAO, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through joint missions to sub-regional organizations undertaken or to be undertaken. These joint missions are intended to assist the sub-regional organizations in identifying appropriate programmes for possible donor support.
9. The Commission acknowledged the beneficial trend of decentralization, community participation and informal production and trade, and recommended that appropriate policies and actions be taken to revitalize forest administrations so that they can deliver their crucial supervisory and regulatory role.
10. The dual role of forests and trees as ecological, social and economic resources was also noted. The meeting therefore recommended that both functions be considered and called upon FAO, the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the African Timber Organization (ATO) and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), in particular through the African Forest Research Network (AFORNET), to develop methodologies and case studies on assessment and enable valuation of economic and environmental services of forests in the African context. This will demonstrate the economic relevance of forestry and strengthen the political priority given to it.
11. Given the weight of the informal sector in the national economies of most African countries, the Commission recommended that Government policies should provide an enabling environment to improve and further integrate it into the economic fabric.
12. The Commission welcomed the presence of a number of female African foresters among delegates, as well as the Network of African Women for Sustainable Development (REFFAD). It recommended that FAO and other international organizations assist countries to strengthen the place and role of women in forestry in the region.