INTRODUCTION

1. Following the approval of The Strategic Framework for FAO 2000 - 2015, by the FAO Conference in November 1999, the Medium Term Plan 2002 - 2007 (MTP) was prepared to translate the broad longer-term strategies into a focused set of substantive priorities and programme activities for a six-year period. It is recalled that the medium-term plan is of a "rolling" nature, to be updated every two years to reflect evolving contexts. The first Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) to be formulated in the context of the Medium Term Plan 2002 - 2007 will cover the biennium 2002 - 2003 and provide a more detailed description of the outputs planned for this two year period and the required resources. This PWB will be presented to the FAO Conference for approval in November 2001.

2. While the MTP has already been considered by the FAO Council in November 2000, it is the expectation of the Council that COFO review and make recommendations on the forestry programme priorities in the document, which would also be taken into account in the formulation of the PWB 2002-2003.

3. Accordingly, an extract from the MTP document, dealing with Major Programme 2.4 Forestry is reproduced below. The introductory text and tables at the beginning of each programme establish the links of the MTP proposals with the Corporate Strategies and Strategic Objectives in the FAO Strategic Framework 2000-2015.

4. In accordance with the new programming model endorsed by the FAO Conference, each programme consists of a number of "entities". These entities are of three types: time-bound technical projects, continuing programme activities and technical services. Within each technical project, besides the rationale and objective, a number of "major outputs" are identified over its lifetime, and the same for continuing programme activities. They will translate into more detailed biennial "outputs" in the Programme of Work and Budget. As a major innovation, indicators of achievements are also provided.

5. In comparison with the Programme of Work and Budget 2000-2001, it may be noted that the four forestry programmes in the MTP are divided into fewer programme entities, which focus on the following priorities identified in the FAO Strategic Plan for Forestry:

• Strengthening information and databases on forest and tree resources and uses
  
  
• Support to national forestry policies and programmes
  
  
• Ensuring the technical foundation for sustainable forest resources conservation and development, and forest product utilisation
  
  
• Maintaining the health and condition of forests
  
  
• Enhancing countries' institutional, legal and financial frameworks for the forestry sector
  
  
• Facilitation of regional and international discussions and cooperation on forest policy and technical issues
  
  
• Partnerships with other groups working in forestry
  
  
• Social and economic equity and human well-being through participatory forestry and sustainable management of forests and trees in marginal areas.

6. The Committee will also wish to note that the FAO MTP identifies sixteen "Priority Areas for Inter-Disciplinary Action" (PAIAs), that will be coordinated through corresponding inter-departmental mechanisms. All are of some relevance to the forestry programme, but a number of forestry entities and outputs (in italics in the list below) particularly relate to inter-disciplinary action. They are as follows:

• Local institution building to improve capacity for achieving sustainable rural livelihoods.

• 243P4 output 1. Participatory forestry - support the participation of all stakeholders in natural resource management & policy formulation
• 243P4 output 3. Methodologies, guidelines & tools for improving natural resource management and supporting sustainable livelihoods

• Disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness and post-emergency relief and rehabilitation.

• 241A1 output 4. Sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands - improved methodologies in forest fire management and increased use of integrated pest management

• WTO multi-lateral trade negotiations on agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

• 242P2 output 4. Appropriate utilisation of forest products - advice to countries on trade...issues

• Climate change issues in agriculture. The PAIA deals with FAO's support to Members in connection with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• 242A1 output 1. Environmental aspects of forest products - contribution to the ad hoc Inter-Departmental Working Group on climate in relation to agriculture and food security The Forestry Department chairs the IDWG.

• Integrated production systems.

• 241A5 output 3. Forest plantations and trees outside forests - enhance land productivity through appropriate land use planning and agroforestry systems...

• Biotechnology applications in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

• 241A1 output 5. Sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands - improved knowledge and best practices for the management of forest genetic resources
• 241A5 output 2. Forest plantations and trees outside forests - improved practices in tree planting...

• Integrated management of biological diversity for food and agriculture.

• 241A4 output 2. Environmental conservation in forests and fragile ecosystems - Improved knowledge & best practices to promote the conservation and management of biological diversity

• Strengthening capacity for integrated ecosystem management.

• 241A4 output 1. Environmental conservation in forests and fragile ecosystems - increased knowledge & technologies on fragile ecosystems
• 241A4 output 3. Implementation of Agenda 21 - mountains, bio-diversity, deserts
• 241A4 output 4. International Year of Mountains 2002

• Definitions, norms, methodologies and quality of information. This PAIA is central to the implementation of a key part of the mandate of FAO, and is necessary to ensure consistency and quality of basic data.

• 241P1 output 2. Assessment and monitoring of forests and woodland resources - improved information on forest and woodland resources
• 242P1 output 2. Forest products knowledge and information - information on utilization of forest products
• 243A1 output 1. Forestry sector outlook studies - State of the World's Forests SOFO

• Spatial information management and decision-support tools.

• 241P1 output 2. Assessment and monitoring of forests and woodland resources - improved information on forest and woodland resources

• Global perspective studies.

• 243A1 output 7. Forestry sector outlook studies- Stronger basis for long-term projections

• Biosecurity for agriculture and food production
  
  
• Organic agriculture.
  
  
• Food for the cities.
  
  
• Gender mainstreaming; and
  
  
• Ethics in food and agriculture. Both of the last two PAIAs are to be observed in all activities.

Further details on these PAIAs, the full forestry programme as well as the entire MTP document, are available by consulting FAO's Internet Web-site at the following address:

http://www.fao.org/mtp/

The following extract from the FAO Medium Term Plan (paras 88 to 91) refers to the programme in forestry.

MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.4: FORESTRY

88. In reviewing priorities in line with the Strategic Framework 2000-2015 and the FAO Strategic Plan for Forestry, a paramount factor remains the rapid evolution of the sector, including the complex political, economic, technological and institutional changes affecting forests. While forest degradation and loss continue in many countries, international concern is leading to a growing commitment to forest conservation and public involvement in forest management decisions. Forestry issues are, therefore, high on international "political agenda".

89. The main challenge over the medium-term is to balance increasing demands for wood and non-wood products with a wide array of environmental, social and cultural services, giving full effect to the key roles of forests and trees in food security, rural employment, the conservation of soil and water resources, mitigating climate change, and conserving biological diversity. As many of the critical issues in the forestry sector are linked with other sectors, there is a need for inter-sectoral approaches to forest management and conservation, especially increased collaboration between the forest and agriculture sectors, particularly in areas where there is competition for scarce land. FAO will also need to pursue its important role in concerted international efforts to promote the sustainable management and conservation of forest and tree resources.

90. The following medium-term priorities, with direct links to the Corporate Strategies approved by the FAO Conference, draw on the draft Strategic Plan for Forestry which has been reviewed and broadly supported by the Committee on Forestry, the six Regional Forestry Commissions, and the second FAO Ministerial Meeting on Forestry:

• Strengthening information and databases on forest and tree resources and uses (direct contribution to Strategy E)
  
  
• Support to national forestry policies and programmes (particularly relevant to Strategy B and also C)
  
  
• Ensuring the technical foundation for sustainable forest resources conservation and development, and forest product utilisation (contributing primarily to Strategy C)
  
  
• Maintaining the health and condition of forests (Strategy D)
  
  
• Enhancing countries' institutional, legal and financial frameworks for the forestry sector (Strategy B)
  
  
• Facilitation of regional and international discussions and cooperation on forest policy and technical issues (Strategies B and C)
  
  
• Partnerships with other groups working in forestry (relevant to all strategies)
  
  
• Social and economic equity and human well-being through participatory forestry and sustainable management of forests and trees in marginal areas (mostly Strategy A)

91. These priorities translate into fewer technical projects (seven) and continuing programme activities (seven) than in the structure tentatively shown in the Programme of Work and Budget 2000-2001 in application of the new model.

Programme 2.4.1: Forest Resources

RATIONALE

• Management of forests and woodlands and the genetic resources they contain for the provision of a range of goods and environmental and social services is an integral part of sustainable development.
  
  
• Prerequisite is access by policy-makers and forest managers to a broad range of information (forest resources, well defined criteria for sustainable forest management, demand for and supply of forest goods and services, latest developments in forest management techniques, and interactions between forests and other land uses).

Objective

To support and increase national capacities to conserve, enhance and sustainably utilise natural forests and woodlands for the provision of a wide variety of goods and services.

Major Outputs

1. Improved practices in national and international efforts to monitor progress on sustainable management of forests, based upon common criteria and indicators, including direct assistance to countries.
   
   
2. Improved methodologies and practices in silviculture and multipurpose management of natural forests, including mountain forests and mangroves.
   
   
3. Improved methodologies and practices in multipurpose management of woodlands and trees in arid lands and in low forest cover areas, and support to the implementation of Chapter 11 of Agenda 21, Combating Desertification.
   
   
4. Improved methodologies in forest fire management and promotion of increased use of integrated pest management practices in forestry.
   
   
5. Support to management of forest genetic resources, including a global database on forest genetic resources, conservation of biological diversity in forests, inventory of best practices, e.g. for in situ conservation, and development of regional and sub-regional action plans.

Indicators

• Uptake of methodologies, as documented in progress reports.
  
  
• Extent of use of databases and other information generated.

RATIONALE

• The effectiveness of environmental conservation policies and the sustainability of biodiversity use are severely constrained by lack of knowledge and capacity.
  
  
• Substantial requirements of many countries facing major degradation of lands in fragile ecosystems, particularly in mountainous areas and in arid zones, for access to improved trees and forestry techniques to ensure suitable conditions for agriculture and human settlements.
  
  
• FAO is the lead agency for the International Year of Mountains (2002) and UN task manager for Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 (Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development).

Objectives

To identify constraints and facilitate the uptake of improved methods of biodiversity conservation and of sustainable use of forest and wildland animal resources; to enhance the protective role and functions of trees in fragile ecosystems and marginal lands, and to prevent erosion and control desertification; and to increase awareness of and action on sustainable mountain development issues, especially related to the International Year of Mountains (2002).

Major Outputs

1. Technologies and technical information on critical issues in fragile ecosystems, with special reference to mountains and drylands (including capacity-building in countries and networking).
   
   
2. Guidelines on best practices for effective conservation and sustainable management of biological diversity, including wildlife, in forests and wildlands (including inventories of research needs, training and support to the UN Convention on Biodiversity).
   
   
3. Broad-based and heightened awareness and action on mountain issues, through the preparation for, and follow-up to, the International Year of Mountains.

Indicators

• Uptake of methodologies and guidelines.
  
  
• Effective use of information products and promotional activities, as generated by the project.

RATIONALE

• Growing importance of plantations and trees outside forest as source of wood and non-wood products, and environmental and social services, to complement decreasing natural forests.
  
  
• Growing complexity of tree establishment and management due to a wide range of stakeholders, including government authorities, local communities and forest owners, and the private sector.
  
  
• Consequent requirements in countries to be informed about the current state and trends in plantations and trees outside forests, in order to develop effective policies and to be aware of the extent to which plantations and trees can complement natural forests and meet future demand for wood and non-wood goods, as well as environmental services.

Objective

To support national programmes in forest plantations through the adoption of best silvicultural and management practices and the improved utilisation of trees outside forests (including agroforestry systems and urban and peri-urban environments).

Major Outputs

1. Facilitation of access to and dissemination of information on appropriate tree planting materials and technologies (including seed networks, studies and guidelines and direct advice to national institutions).
   
   
2. Guidelines on tree planting and plantation establishment and management including databases on forest plantation cover, growth and yields).
   
   
3. Support to land use planning and agroforestry systems strategy formulation (including networks on agroforestry).
   
   
4. Policies and programmes for the increased integration of trees in urban and peri-urban environments.

Indicators

• Effective exchanges of planting materials promoted by the project.
  
  
• Uptake of methodologies and guidelines as may be documented.

RATIONALE

• Requirements by policy-makers of timely, accurate and comprehensive information about forest resources, at both national and international levels.
  
  
• FAO's long-standing role in forest resources assessment (FRA) has been consistently supported by Governing Bodies.

Objectives

To systematically analyse, document and report on the status and trends in forest resources; to develop and update methods for forest inventory, analysis, assessment and monitoring based on common and agreed concepts and terms; and to strengthen national capabilities to assess forest resources and the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation.

Major Outputs

1. Improved methodologies for assessing and monitoring changes in all types of forests and woodlands.
   
   
2. Periodic reports on the state of and changes to global forest resources, and support to the international community (including international forest initiatives) and the public in general to understand the state of, and changes in, the forest resources at all levels, including facilitation of country participation in FRA.
   
   
3. Support to capacity-building in forest resource assessment and monitoring.

Indicators

• Demonstrated support to international and national efforts through the provision of reliable information.
  
  
• Extent of participation of partners in global forest resources assessments and demonstrated impact on the collection, validation and analysis of forest resources information for all countries.
  
  
• Uptake of information by all stakeholders.
  
  

Covers both support to field projects and responses to requests from countries for technical advice on forest resource issues.

Programme 2.4.2: Forest Products

RATIONALE

• Key role of forests in sequestration and substitution of carbon, thus contributing towards the reduction of green-house gases emission and the mitigation of climate change.
  
  
• This technical project is designed to enable FAO to follow and participate in important international discussions, and assist countries in relation to environment aspects of forestry.

Objective

To contribute to the analysis of the environmental dimension of forests and forest practices, including their impact on climate and climate change.

Major Outputs

• Assessment of forestry contributions to carbon sequestration, substitution and emissions (including support to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change).
  
  
• Analyses of information on the role of wood energy in carbon substitution (including databases on wood fuels and direct assistance to countries).
  
  
• Study of trade and marketing linkages to environmental issues (including certification issues).

Indicators

• Interest in key issues, as demonstrated by participation in meetings.
  
  
• Uptake of data/information.
  
  
• Recognition of the role and contribution of FAO in international fora.
  
  
• This entity is to implement FAO's mandate as regards information collection and dissemination on forest products.

Objective

To improve availability of, and access to, information on forestry sector utilisation, production, trade and marketing.

Major Outputs

1. Information and analyses on forest harvesting and engineering intensities, as well as related environmental impact.
   
   
2. Data on the utilisation of forest products (including the Forest Products Yearbook).
   
   
3. Studies and improved knowledge of the socio-economic importance of wood-based resources, and of non-wood forest products (NWFP).

Indicators

• Effective use of data, as assessed through reports or surveys.

RATIONALE

• Importance of forest product utilisation and trade to the conservation and sustainable development of forest resources.
  
  
• Need for appropriate policies and practices in countries.

Objective

To develop and promote methodologies for best practices of forest utilisation covering harvesting, engineering, processing, trade, marketing of wood and non-wood forest products (NWFP) and bioenergy.

Major Outputs

1. Studies and promotion of codes of forest harvesting and engineering practices.
   
   
2. Inventories of best practices in forest industry and promotion in countries (including workshops and training activities).
   
   
3. Methodologies for non-wood forest products assessment, product characterisation and the valuation of their socio-economic contribution to sustained livelihoods of farming communities (including harmonisation of concepts and definitions and support to national capacity-building).
   
   
4. Advice to countries on trade and marketing issues concerning forest products, such as changes in trade restrictions, marketing policies and practices, market structures, etc. (including reports, case studies and training courses and workshops on forest products marketing, trade negotiations).
   
   
5. Assistance in the development of sustainable wood energy systems.

Indicators

• Effective use of data and methodologies by member countries, private sector and international organizations.

This entity will support the field programmes and provide technical advice to countries on the various aspects of forest products assessment and use addressed by Programme 2.4.2.

Programme 2.4.3: Forestry Policy and Planning

RATIONALE

• Forestry policy formulation requires updated analysis of the outlook for the forestry sector at both global and regional levels and understanding of the economic, environmental and social contributions that sustainable forest management can offer.

Objective

To facilitate long-term strategic forestry planning efforts, stimulate appropriate forestry policy reform in countries and to orient donor assistance and investment programmes to the needs of the forestry sector.

Major Outputs

1. State of the World's Forests (SOFO - major FAO's biennial publication).
   
   
2. Forestry Sector Outlook Study for Africa (including five sub-regional reports - planned during 2002-2003 biennium).
   
   
3. Forestry Sector Outlook Study for Latin America and the Caribbean (planned in 2004).
   
   
4. European Forestry Sector Outlook Study (planned in 2004).
   
   
5. Forestry Sector Outlook Study for the Near East and Central Asia (planned in 2006-2007 biennium).
   
   
6. Report on Asia-Pacific Forestry Towards 2020 (planned in 2006-2007 biennium).
   
   
7. Development of stronger basis for long-term projections (including medium-term projections for forest products production, trade and consumption (20-30 years) and descriptive scenarios and quantitative implications of the long-term future of forests in society).

Indicators

• Effective use of these major reports/assessments as a reference for sector analyses, policy studies, planning of international development assistance programmes (citations in planning documents, forestry and land use literature, use of Internet version).
  
  
• Demand for follow-on policy studies.

RATIONALE

• Substantial needs of developing countries or countries with economies in transition to strengthen their legal and institutional capacities to govern the forestry sector, increase their knowledge of institutional issues affecting forest development, and improve their access to and use of appropriate institutional measures.

Objective

To enhance institutional arrangements and legal instruments for the forestry sector at national level.

Major Outputs

1. Analysis of forestry sector institutional issues (e.g. institutional conditions related to good governance, evaluation of institutional performance of forestry organizations, contractual arrangements to facilitate access to public forests) and information systems related to forestry policy and institutions.
   
   
2. Support to networks on forestry research, education and extension.
   
   
3. Assistance to countries and building of national capacities on formulation of appropriate institutional measures for forestry.

Indicators

• Use of analysis prepared by project in policy documents, revision of legislation for forestry sector.
  
  
• Effective participation in networks and training activities.

RATIONALE

• The sustainable management of forest resources is dependent upon the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national forestry programmes.

Objective

To ensure that national forestry programmes maximise the contributions of the forestry sector to socio-economic development.

Major Outputs

1. Analyses and case studies to improve understanding of the cross-sectoral linkages, influences and inter-relations between forestry policies and other national policies (including workshops and technical papers).
   
   
2. Studies on key forestry policy issues (including privatisation, decentralisation of policy decisions, legal instruments for policy implementation and enforcement, impact on forestry of globalisation and integration processes, public policies affecting forest fires, and financing).
   
   
3. Periodic reports on the implementation of national forestry programmes (including guidelines).

Indicators

• Recommendations incorporated in national forestry policies.
  
  
• Participation in training activities.
  
  
• Level of participation of stakeholders in formulation.

RATIONALE

• Effective and equitable national forestry policies depend on a solid analysis of the social and economic dimensions of sustainable forest management.
  
  
• Also, corollary need to assess the negative social and economic consequences of not securing adequate levels of forest cover or poor forest management, including impact on downstream fisheries, erosion of arable land and declines in wood supplies.
  
  
• Countries require advice on, and practical examples of making forestry policies efficient and equitable.

Objective

To help countries define forest policies and implementation procedures that are fiscally and economically sustainable, thereby supporting long-term strategic forestry planning efforts and appropriate forestry policy reform.

Major Outputs

1. Study of fiscal measures and tenure arrangements to serve sustainable forest management.
   
   
2. Improved norms for valuation of non-timber forest outputs and mechanisms for internalising externalities.
   
   
3. Manuals and training workshops on use of economic tools in forest management decisions.

Indicators

• Uptake of methodologies.
  
  
• Participation in training activities.

RATIONALE

• Impact of trends towards decentralisation, democratisation, and economic liberalisation, leading to a more complex environment in which to address forest resource management issues, and the need for new approaches.
  
  
• Participatory forestry must build on successful examples of local forest management and be directed at higher levels to encourage the creation of an enabling environment.
  
  
• Corresponding need for awareness raising and the development of tools and guidelines focused at the level of decision and policy-makers, as well as practitioners.

Objective

To support both sustainable forest management and sustainable livelihoods, especially of the most vulnerable, through an enabling environment for participatory management of trees, forests, and other natural resources and increased capacity by the different actors, especially those most dependent on forest resources.

Major Outputs

1. Assessments and design of supportive policy frameworks, processes, and institutions, and materials on participatory approaches and programmes (including linkage between conservation and development, and pathways for effective decentralisation).
   
   
2. Support to the incorporation of participatory processes in the implementation of national forest programmes.
   
   
3. Methodologies, guidelines and tools for improving natural resource management and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

INDICATORS

• Involvement of population and civil society organizations in policy development processes.
  
  
• Adoption of policies that support rights to and benefits from forest resources to forest-dependent populations.
  
  
• Participation in training activities and uptake of methodologies.

This entity includes technical backstopping to field projects and is to meet demands for advice from Members.

Programme 2.4.4: Forest Programmes Coordination and Information

RATIONALE

• FAO's active participation in the international dialogue on forestry has been consistently urged by member countries as a priority.

Objective

To provide coordinated inputs and support to various international processes and initiatives affecting the forestry sector.

Major Outputs

1. Support to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and technical inputs and support to the International Task Force on Forests (ITFF).
   
   
2. Coordinated forestry inputs to international conventions, and periodic reports to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) on the implementation of those chapters in Agenda 21 for which FAO is the task manager: Chapter 11 (Combating Deforestation) and Chapter 13 (Sustainable Mountain Development).

Indicators

• Recognition of technical contributions to international processes.
  
  
• Demands for FAO's involvement.

RATIONALE

• Information on forestry issues is essential to support policy formulation and decision-making and to monitor trends in forestry data.

Objective

To disseminate forestry-related data, information and knowledge by various means and to a wide range of users.

Major Outputs

1. Forestry section of FAO's Internet Website and improved documentation and information search services.
   
   
2. Advisory services to, and institution-building in countries for the management of forest-related data, information and knowledge.
   
   
3. Targeted information materials (including the Unasylva magazine, newsletters).

Indicators

• Effective use and recognition of reliability, coverage and relevance of data and information provided.
  
  
• Active exchange of information with other networks.
  
  
• Recognition of FAO as a major source of information.

This entity covers servicing of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), other statutory bodies in forestry such as the Regional Forestry Commissions, the Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products, the International Poplar Commission, Silva Mediterranea, Working Group of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission, and the Panel of Experts on Forest Genetic Resources. It also provides a focal point for interaction with forestry officers in Regional and Sub-regional Offices, and seconded to other organizations, and will ensure the provision of Secretariat services to the World Forestry Congress planned for Qu�bec City, Canada, in 2003.