63. FAO presented the concept, basic principles and operational phases of nfps that include the full range of policies, institutions and resources for national sustainable forest management (SFM). The nfp approach is based on country leadership and partnership among stakeholders. The process is dynamic and responsive to change. Presently the nfp process has reached the following positive developments: contribution of SFM to national economy and environment recognized; increased relation of nfps to reduction of poverty and food security; and stakeholder participation and domestic resource mobilization. On the downward side, there is still limited capacity to address cross-sectoral issues, and to mobilize more financial resources. There is also a need to improve governance, accountability and transparency and increase political support to the sector.
64. FAO provides various instruments and initiatives to strengthen nfps. Funds and technical support are available through the Technical Cooperation Programme, the Trust Fund Programme and Partnership Instruments.
65. Partnership Instruments. The National Forest Programme Facility aims at supporting SFM through the formulation and implementation of nfps, involving government and legitimate interest groups. It can also support global management initiatives. There are presently in Africa 20 partner countries which have signed Partnership Agreements with the Facility and ten others which are pending approval. Many countries present at the meeting mentioned that they are benefiting from the Facility actually, and that it is of great support to streamline nfp formulation and implementation. FAO also provides an important information platform on nfps. Indeed, one can find Nfp Updates on-line, which provide details of the nfp status in countries. Countries participating to the meeting were invited to provide the most recent information about the Updates.
66. Nfp Digests, also on-line, offer collections of key electronic documents from forestry experts and various organizations on nfps. Issues addressed include forests and poverty, stakeholder participation and forest finance systems. A CD-ROM compendium on nfps is also available. FAO equally prepared a Sourcebook on Funding Sustainable Forest Management. It contains key information on donor agencies and countries and various forest-related organizations and other funding sources.
67. The principal issue raised by member country delegates during the discussion was that the Facility has been very useful to their countries in the implementation of their nfps and they strongly recommended that this very useful partnership tool be extended to other countries which will be applying for assistance from the Facility.