COFO-2001/7-Rev.1 |
COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY |
Item 8(c) of the Provisional Agenda |
FIFTEENTH SESSION |
Rome, Italy, 12-16 March 2001 |
MEDIUM TERM PLAN 2002-07 |
Secretariat Note |
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:
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:
- 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
- 241A1 output 4. Sustainable management of natural forests and woodlands - improved methodologies in forest fire management and increased use of integrated pest management
- 242P2 output 4. Appropriate utilisation of forest products - advice to countries on trade...issues
- 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.
- 241A5 output 3. Forest plantations and trees outside forests - enhance land productivity through appropriate land use planning and agroforestry systems...
- 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...
- 241A4 output 2. Environmental conservation in forests and fragile ecosystems - Improved knowledge & best practices to promote the conservation and management of biological diversity
- 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
- 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
- 241P1 output 2. Assessment and monitoring of forests and woodland resources - improved information on forest and woodland resources
- 243A1 output 7. Forestry sector outlook studies- Stronger basis for long-term projections
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:
The following extract from the FAO Medium Term Plan (paras 88 to 91) refers to the programme in 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:
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.
Code |
Type |
Title |
A1 |
A2 |
A3 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D1 |
D2 |
E1 |
E2 |
E3 |
241A1 |
TP |
Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands |
||||||||||||
241A4 |
TP |
Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems |
||||||||||||
241A5 |
TP |
Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests |
||||||||||||
241P1 |
CP |
Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources |
||||||||||||
241S1 |
TS |
Technical Support and Advisory Services |
Legend
|
Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million |
US$ 1.5 million to 3 million |
US$ 3 million to 5 million |
More than US$ 5 million |
241A1 |
Sustainable Management of Natural Forests and Woodlands |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 4,987,000 |
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.
241A4 |
Environmental Conservation in Forests and Fragile Ecosystems |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 3,665,000 |
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).
241A5 |
Forest Plantations and Trees Outside Forests |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 3,411,000 |
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).
241P1 |
Assessment and Monitoring of Forests and Woodland Resources |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 6,112,000 |
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.
241S1 |
Technical Support and Advisory Services |
Timeframe: technical services on demand |
Resources: US$ 6,184,000 |
Covers both support to field projects and responses to requests from countries for technical advice on forest resource issues.
Code |
Type |
Title |
A1 |
A2 |
A3 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D1 |
D2 |
E1 |
E2 |
E3 |
242A1 |
TP |
Environmental Aspects of Forests |
||||||||||||
242P1 |
CP |
Forest Products Information |
||||||||||||
242P2 |
CP |
Appropriate Utilisation of Forest Products |
||||||||||||
242S1 |
TS |
Support to Field Projects and Advisory Services |
Legend
|
Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million |
US$ 1.5 million to 3 million |
US$ 3 million to 5 million |
More than US$ 5 million |
242A1 |
Environmental Aspects of Forests |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 3,319,000 |
To contribute to the analysis of the environmental dimension of forests and forest practices, including their impact on climate and climate change.
242P1 |
Forest Products Information |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 6,128,000 |
To improve availability of, and access to, information on forestry sector utilisation, production, trade and marketing.
242P2 |
Appropriate Utilisation of Forest Products |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 5,389,000 |
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.
242S1 |
Support to Field Projects and Advisory Services |
Timeframe: technical services on demand |
Resources: US$ 4,316,000 |
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.
Code |
Type |
Title |
A1 |
A2 |
A3 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D1 |
D2 |
E1 |
E2 |
E3 |
243A1 |
TP |
Forestry Sector Outlook Studies |
||||||||||||
243A3 |
TP |
Strengthening of Institutional Capacities at Country Level |
||||||||||||
243P1 |
CP |
Formulation of National Forestry Programmes |
||||||||||||
243P2 |
CP |
Analysis of Economic Factors in Forestry |
||||||||||||
243P4 |
CP |
Participatory Forestry |
||||||||||||
243S1 |
TS |
Interaction with Field Programmes and Advisory Services |
Legend
|
Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million |
US$ 1.5 million to 3 million |
US$ 3 million to 5 million |
More than US$ 5 million |
243A1 |
Forestry Sector Outlook Studies |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 3,989,000 |
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.
243A3 |
Strengthening of Institutional Capacities at Country Level |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 3,462,000 |
To enhance institutional arrangements and legal instruments for the forestry sector at national level.
243P1 |
Formulation of National Forestry Programmes |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 4,716,000 |
To ensure that national forestry programmes maximise the contributions of the forestry sector to socio-economic development.
243P2 |
Analysis of Economic Factors in Forestry |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 2,652,000 |
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.
243P4 |
Participatory Forestry |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 3,669,000 |
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.
243S1 |
Interaction with Field Programmes and Advisory Services |
Timeframe: technical services on demand |
Resources: US$ 6,182,000 |
This entity includes technical backstopping to field projects and is to meet demands for advice from Members.
Code |
Type |
Title |
A1 |
A2 |
A3 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
D1 |
D2 |
E1 |
E2 |
E3 |
244A1 |
TP |
Follow up to UNCED and International Forestry Processes |
||||||||||||
244P1 |
CP |
Forestry Information |
||||||||||||
244S1 |
TS |
Support to Statutory Bodies and Liaison with the Regional Offices |
Legend
|
Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million |
US$ 1.5 million to 3 million |
US$ 3 million to 5 million |
More than US$ 5 million |
244A1 |
Follow up to UNCED and International Forestry Processes |
Timeframe: 2002 - 2007 |
Resources: US$ 929,000 |
To provide coordinated inputs and support to various international processes and initiatives affecting the forestry sector.
244P1 |
Forestry Information |
Timeframe: continuing programme activity |
Resources: US$ 6,099,000 |
To disseminate forestry-related data, information and knowledge by various means and to a wide range of users.
244S1 |
Support to Statutory Bodies and Liaison with the Regional Offices |
Timeframe: technical services on demand |
Resources: US$ 4,206,000 |
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.