75. The Commission reiterated the recommendation made to FAO and international organizations to strengthen sub-regional organizations and support their better coordination on forestry and wildlife issues.
76. The Commission further underscored the importance of its strengthening as a unique regional forum for concertation, cooperation and coordination of African efforts towards sustainable forestry development. In this regard, large participation in intersessional activities and strong collaboration of sub-regional organizations have been suggested.
77. The Commission was apprised of the start-up of the update of the Forest Resources Assessment 2005. For the exercise, most countries have designated focal points who participated in a training workshop in November 2003 in Rome, Italy. Regional workshops are being organized, including for Africa – one for English-speaking and one for French-speaking countries. The Commission was encouraged to support mainstreaming the exercise, essential to quality data collection and processing, in their departments.