25. Secretariat Note FO: NEFC/2004/7 reviewed the role of the Commission since its establishment in 1953 as a policy and technical forum to discuss and address forest issues on a regional basis; to advise on the formulation of forest policy and as a mechanism for information sharing. FAO was encouraged to coordinate and cooperate with regional bodies to assist in capacity-building in SFM.
26. The Commission was informed about and discussed the inter-sessional activities, including the meeting of a regional task force on forestry whose recommendations had contributed appreciably to the content and agenda of the current session of the Commission. The Commission recommended that such an arrangement for inter-sessional activities be continued and broadened to include some regional organizations and non-governmental organizations, as needed. The Commission considered that FAO Member countries should be apprised at the highest level, through COFO, that forestry should receive greater prominence in national and regional development planning.
