1. This note is to inform the Commission about FAO forestry activities of interest to the region, funded under the Regular Programme budget and FAO-executed projects funded through UNDP and donor trust funds in 1998-99. Part C provides references to specific recommendations and requests of the twentieth session of the Commission.

A. REVIEW OF FAO FORESTRY REGULAR PROGRAMME

Forest resources

Sustainable management of natural forests

2. FAO continued to support activities leading towards the development and implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable management. Within the framework of activities to further develop the Tarapoto Proposal for Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainability of the Amazon Forest, seven national "validation" meetings were held by participating countries in 1998-1999 to review the preliminarily identified criteria and indicators in the light of prevailing needs, conditions and institutional capacities of countries concerned (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela).

3. A series of sub-national and one national meeting were held in Brazil in the first half of 2000, prior to organizing a common Amazon Cooperation Treaty/Finland Tarapoto II meeting, planned to be held later that year. Criteria and indicators for countries in Central America were further discussed and testing and implementation started within the framework of the Central American Council for Forests and Protected Areas (CCAB-AP) of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD), following similar national validation meetings to those above. A number of Caribbean countries participated in work of this Central American Process of Lepaterique. Support and a needs assessment in the Caribbean countries in the field of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management was provided through a "Thematic Study on Forest Management and Conservation of the Caribbean", carried out within the framework of FAO-EC sub-regional project, "Data Collection and Outlook Effort for Forestry in the Caribbean" (GCP/INT/697/EC).

4. The scientific basis for the on-going work on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management was discussed in the IUFRO/CATIE/FAO/CIFOR Conference, Indicators for sustainable forest management in the neotropics (CATIE, Turrialba, Costa Rica, November 1999). FAO Forestry Paper 135, Guidelines for the Management of Tropical Forests. 1: the production of wood, was published in Spanish to complement the English version, published in 1998. A companion volume on the management of resources for the provision of non-wood goods and services will be published by the end of 2000. A case study entitled, Use of computerized systems, programs and electronic devices in forest management planning in tropical humid forests in Costa Rica was prepared.

5. A Special Ministerial Conference on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was organized by FAO in March 1999. It was attended by 211 participants from 85 FAO member countries (of which 29 SIDS, including countries in the Region). The Plan of Action on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States was approved by the FAO Council in June 1999. One of the five main areas for action is entitled "Ensuring sustainable management of land, water and forestry resources and environmental protection".

Forest genetic resources, their management and conservation, and networking

6. The status and trends of forest genetic resources in the region were reviewed during the 11th Session of the Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources (September 1999). Collaboration was continued with CATIE, Costa Rica, and INIFAP, Mexico, in exploration and evaluation of genetic resources of Swietenia and Cedrela species. The REFORGEN global forest genetic resources data base and information system was placed on the Internet; the system provides country-derived information on status, trends and forest genetic resources priorities, by country.

Sustainable mountain development and watershed management

7. Support has continued in the region for the implementation of Agenda 21, Chapter 13: Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development. Several publications of interest to mountainous countries of the Region have been issued. These include proceedings of two global electronic conferences sponsored by the Mountain Forum, Mountain Peoples, Forests and Trees: Strategies for Balancing Local Management and Outside Interests, and Mountain Laws and Peoples: Moving Towards Sustainable Development and Recognition of Community-Based Property Rights. In addition, the Latin America Mountain Forum hosted two other electronic conferences in Spanish on: Conservation of Biosphere Reserves and Local Governance and Sustainable Development in the Andes. This regional node of the Mountain Forum network has continued to serve a wide variety of mountain interests in Latin America and the Caribbean and has increased its membership in recent years. Two other documents aimed at high-level decision-makers were published by the University of Bern (Switzerland) and released at recent sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) on Mountains of the World: Tourism and Sustainable Development and Mountains of the World: Water Towers for the 21^st Century.

8. The UN General Assembly in November 1998 declared the year 2002 the International Year of Mountains (IYM), for which FAO has been designated the lead agency for preparing and coordinating the year. This is expected to allow increased mobilization of interest and funding for mountain development and conservation in the region. Peru has since established a National Mountain Committee and other countries are expected to make similar arrangements to organize observance of the IYM.

9. The watershed management programme has continued support to field activities in several countries in the region, including Bolivia, Ecuador and Mexico. Mexico's experience in developing strategies and policies for sustainable development in the mountainous areas of the country has received increasing attention as a useful model for such an approach to be developed elsewhere, both inside and beyond Latin America and the Caribbean region.

10. FAO support continued for activities of the Latin American Technical Cooperation Network on Watershed Management, which is sponsored by the FAO Regional Office. The Network has been undergoing a transition period to become more field-based by linking various watershed management projects and field experiences from throughout the region. The national coordinators of the network met in October 1999 to begin planning activities for 2000. Decisions taken included establishing watershed management demonstration sites, drawing on lessons learned from the wide variety of field experiences in watershed management in the region (FAO and others), and developing a communication and information system for the network. The network is expected to play an important role regionally in the observance of the IYM.

Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity including wildlife

11. There have been many activities in the area of sustainable use of biological diversity conservation and wildlife resources in the Region. The Latin American Cooperation Network on National Parks, other Protected Areas and Wildlife has been promoting programme development in the Region, in particular for the Amazon basin, the Andean region and the Chaco. The Region was also involved in a number of international initiatives in support to IFF initiatives on protected areas management. It took an effective role in the preparation and holding of the International Consultation on Protected Area Management and Sustainable Rural Development held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in October 1999. This meeting was attended by participants from Cuba and Bolivia.

12. A workshop on Protection and Management of Wild Bird Populations was held in Mt. St. Benedict in Trinidad (23-27 November 1998). The scope was to train foresters in charge of wildlife and nature conservation from nine island countries from the English-speaking Caribbean, in basic techniques on how to monitor wild bird populations. Special attention was given to the role of endemic bird species on the different islands.

Forest plantations

13. A study of teak growing in Central America was prepared as a part of Project GCP/INT/628/UK, Timber production from hardwood plantations in the tropics and subtropics. Preparations were made for of the 21st session of the International Poplar Commission and the 40th session of its Executive Committee, to be held in Portland, Oregon (USA) in September 2000, with active participation of countries in the Region.
14. In response to global concerns, FAO organized a meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires, in Rome (28-30 October 1998). Five regional studies were presented, reporting on the main socio-political causes of forest fires and measures and actions adopted to prevent and reduce their negative impacts. Recommendations were made for action to reduce such negative effects through policy measures. Representatives of countries of the region attended the meeting and contributed to its success.

Dryland forestry and trees outside forests

15. FAO provided support to countries of the region in implementing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification and in desertification control activities.

16. The French version of the Conservation Guide N� 32 on the Management of Natural Dry Forests to which experts of the region have contributed was published and widely distributed. The English version will be published in early 2000.

17. Activities in dryland forestry will essentially focus on support to the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) in Latin America. FAO will study the state-of-the-art of arid zone forestry in Latin America.

18. Case studies on urban forestry in Rio de Janeiro and Quito, were presented in the publication: Urban and peri-urban forestry - case studies in developing countries. It is based on a series of case studies on issues related to urban development, and the role of urban forestry in improving the environment and the living conditions of the urban population. The case studies considered planning, institutional coordination, tree resource management and people's participation issues, making recommendations which could be adapted to other cities.

19. Assistance will be provided to member countries in developing planning tools and methodologies for the management of trees outside forests. Guidelines will be developed for the assessment of tree-outside forests. This work will be supported by an annotated bibliography and thematic case studies in all the regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean. Regional support will continue to be provided to enhance the contribution of agroforestry, and other tree-based systems outside forests, to sustainable land productivity.

20. Studies will be carried out on urban forestry in coastal areas and small islands, and on the linkages between forest and tree degradation and impoverishment around cities. Guidelines for urban planning will be developed to support member countries integrate tree and forest components into urban planning.

Forest resources assessment - FRA 2000

21. The preparation of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000 in the Region continued with substantial support from all countries concerned, including participation of representatives from Brazil, Costa Rica and Peru in an Expert Meeting which reviewed the methodology for estimating regional and global forest change. Based on country-derived information complemented by remote sensing studies, the assessment provided up-to-date information on the state of forest resources for individual countries and by region and sub-region. New data on forest areas, with a baseline of the year 2000, was placed on the Internet. Information on forest area change, and special studies including forest plantations, volume and biomass, non-wood forest products, and protected areas, will be gradually made available over the year. Two case studies were undertaken to assess the non-wood goods and services provided by forests in countries in the region, as part of the global forest resources assessment 2000.

Forest products

Sustainable forest harvesting and engineering

22. The Forest Harvesting, Engineering and Environmental Impact Assessment Programme has continued to promote environmentally sound harvesting and engineering practices through dissemination of the Spanish version of the Forest Harvesting Bulletin N� 9, and Case Study N� 8 - Aprovechamiento forestal compatible con el medio ambiente.

23. Fourteen tropical countries with broadleaved forests were surveyed in order to collect information on current industrial timber harvesting schemes, establish a database with a file for each of the 14 countries and analyse and evaluate the contribution of industrial timber harvesting to forest degradation as far as over-harvesting of timber and poor harvesting practices are concerned. This programme is closely involved with FRA 2000 activities of FAO.

Forest products trade and marketing

24. The Forest Products Trade Programme continued to provide information and guidance on trade policy issues. In particular it has been closely involved with issues concerning the relationship between trade and sustainable forest development, including aspects of the environment and trade, and with trade restrictions and future trade negotiations. Two major publications were produced: Trade restrictions and their impact on international trade in forest products, FAO, 1998; and the chapter on Trade Restrictions and their Future in the ECE/FAO Timber Bulletin Forest products annual market review, 1998-1999, June 1999. A paper on International trade in forest products and the environment was presented to the I Congreso Venezolano de Pino y Eucalipto, held in Maturin, Venezuela, from 30 September to 4 October 1998. Project support was provided to the TCP Project: Support to Brazil's Forestry Agenda.

25. Within the framework of the FAO series of training workshops for developing countries Training course on the Uruguay round and future multilateral trade negotiations in agriculture, training material on forestry was prepared. Regional courses were held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and La Paz, Bolivia. A course is also planned for the Caribbean to be held in Jamaica.

26. The Forest Products Marketing Programme completed a Compendium of forest products marketing databases which contains some one thousand databases. It will be published through the FAO website. A Study of plantation timber prices in Latin America and the Southern United States of America was published to enhance the availability of price information. A Review of consumer attitudes towards forest products marketed with environmental social, and/or sustainability attributes was published as a contribution to the discussion on the certification of forest products. Guidelines for strengthening and establishment of log auction systems were published to assist in improving efficiency in raw timber marketing. Some case studies describing current marketing practices, although carried out in other regions, provide basic approaches for similar studies in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. Preparatory work was completed for a Survey of forest products marketing training needs in Chile.

Forest products utilization

27. The Fortieth session of the FAO Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products was held in S�o Paulo, Brazil, on 27 and 28 April 1999. The Committee was informed of the results of the Global Fibre Supply Model. This is a tool used to project fibrous raw material supply to the forest industry taking into account the various scenarios of forest utilization. It contributed to raising people's awareness of the limits of forests and competing demands put on these limited resources.

Non-wood forest products (NWFP)

28. Two issues of the NWFP bulletin Non-Wood News were published. Various articles, reports on events, new publications and other current information on NWFP from the Latin America region were included in both issues. Two national studies have been published for Chile and Cuba on NWFP and a study on NWFP for Central America.

29. The NWFP web site was upgraded and is now available in English, French and Spanish. All FAO NWFP publications, including those done by the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, are now accessible on the NWFP web site.

Wood energy

30. The Wood Energy Programme was involved in three main activities:

• FAO, jointly with the Central America Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), organized the Regional Meeting on the Contribution of Forests to the Mitigation of Climate Change, which was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, from 4 to 6 October 1999. The Regional Meeting was attended by more than 120 participants from CCAD countries, other Caribbean and Latin American countries, donor agencies (such as ACDI, GTZ, USAID, BID, BCIE), projects, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
• A Regional Study Wood Energy Today for Tomorrow (WETT) was prepared. The study describes the role played by wood energy in Latin America and the Caribbean and provides a detailed review of current statistical data on woodfuels in the Region. The document has been prepared following the recently harmonized Wood Energy Terminology.
• FAO prepared the document on El Protocolo de Kyoto y el Mecanismo para un Desarrollo Limpio; Nuevas posibilidades para el Sector Forestal de Am�rica Latina y el Caribe. The paper is intended as a reference for the information of forestry policy and decision-makers about the role of, and contributions by, forests and forestry in the mitigation of climate change.

Forestry policy and planning

Strengthening forestry research, education and extension systems

31. Databases on Forestry Research Organizations and on Forestry Training and Education Institutions were up-dated. Both will be accessible on the Internet, with an improved interface, during 2000. Directories (hard copy) will be published using the information contained in the databases.

32. Assistance to member countries in adapting their forestry education and extension systems and approaches to the new requirements and conditions in the forestry sector remained a main focus. A publication was produced on Pluralism and sustainable forestry and rural development, following an international workshop on the same theme. Case studies were undertaken on forestry curriculum revision in different regions, including Latin America, to gather information on current trends and practical experiences in implementing new approaches aiming to better assess and respond to the changing needs in the sector. They will serve as a base for the publication of guidelines for forestry curriculum definition and revision.

33. Strengthening capacities and networking in forestry research in developing countries remained a main focus, through the Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA) and the Forestry Research Network for sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA). In Latin America, a regional meeting on forestry research and information was held in collaboration with the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA) (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Florestas (CNPFlorestas) (National Centre of Forestry Research). The general purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity, in the regional context, to discuss the achievements, potentialities and problems of forestry research and exchange information and experiences relating to the latest developments in this field and the short term challenges. The specific objectives were to: (i) examine the situation of forestry research in Latin America; (ii) analyse and provide recommendations to strengthen national forestry research capacities; (iii) analyse, promote and provide recommendations to strengthen regional cooperation in forestry research and determine priority areas; and (iv) examine new areas of research. The meeting was attended by 50 participants from 18 countries and representatives of the Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) and the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). Results of the meeting are reported in document FO:LACFC/2000/INF.4.

Improving country capacity in forestry policy and institutions

34. A Regional Study on Forestry Policy in the Caribbean was carried out by the FAO Forestry Policy and Institutions Branch (FONP) in cooperation with the European Commission (DG VII). This study contributed to a review of national actions aimed at promoting sustainable forest resource utilisation, the follow-up of commitments made by countries in the framework of UNCED and the international assistance to the implementation of forestry policies and strategies. The findings and conclusions of this study, covering all countries and territories of the region, were discussed in the Expert Consultation on Forestry Policy in the Caribbean: strengthening countries' capacity and effectiveness, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (25-28 May 1998).

35. With the collaboration and support of the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and project GCP/RLA/127/NET Support to the national forest programmes, a Regional Study on Forestry Policy was initiated in South America in 1999. Its findings and conclusions were analysed in an Expert Consultation held in Santiago in April 2000.

36. Continuing technical support has been provided on policy and institutional aspects to the Regional Field Programme, especially in countries like Chile, Cuba, Brazil, Suriname, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras.

37. A workshop on Management and Monitoring of Forest Concessions was held in Paramaribo, Suriname (12-14 October 1999) to discuss technical aspects of forest concessions management and to initiate a process of technical consultations among the participating countries (Belize, Guyana, Guiana, Suriname).

Participatory forestry development

38. In support of participatory forestry development in the region, the Community Forestry Unit (CFU) continued during this period its work through the Forests, Trees and People Programme (FTPP). This multi-donor-funded trust fund programme is active in the seven countries of Central America and in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. With the support of the Netherlands in Central America, and Norway and Sweden in the other countries, the programme has continued its work of institutional capacity building, networking, tool and method development and implementation support for initiatives in participatory forestry and devolution of rights and control over forest resources to communities.

39. In addition, the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean became more closely involved in FTPP activities, and created a working group on participatory management of natural resources within the Regional Office, which brings together different disciplines present in the office to work with issues related to participatory management of forests as well as other natural resources.

40. The FAO Community Forestry Unit organized the Second Consultative Meeting of the Working Group on the Participatory Package for Natural Resources Management in Trinidad (18-22 October 1999). The meeting offered a good opportunity for forestry officers to contribute field experiences from English-speaking countries of the Caribbean towards the preparation of technical manuals.

41. In Ecuador, the Netherlands-funded participatory forestry project Peasant Forest Development (GCP/ECU/070/NET) went into its second phase, during which the emphasis will be on institutionalization of the extensive field experience acquired during Phase I. In the second half of 1999, the project produced a major publication entitled Construyendo cambios (Building Change), recounting the experiences of the project up to now.

42. As part of a global initiative on Community-based prevention of forest fires, case studies are being developed on community involvement in forest protection in Central America.

State of the world's forests (SOFO)

43. The State of the World's Forests 1999 was released, in the five languages of FAO, at the Committee on Forestry meeting in March 1999. This was the third edition of the Forestry Department's flagship publication, which is published every two years. It presents the latest information on forests and the forestry sector world-wide in a way that is relevant and useful for policy makers and helps put national and regional developments into a global context. The next edition of the State of the World's Forests will be prepared for publication in 2001.

Forest programmes coordination and information

Support to national forest programmes

44. This subject will be dealt with under Agenda Item 4(c); a document has been issued for discussion (FO:LACFC/2000/5).

Forestry information system

45. The FAO Forestry website has been substantially improved in layout, content and linkages. Forest Resources Assessment data were placed on Internet, reflecting data on FRA 2000. Major efforts were made to improve dissemination of FAO Forestry papers, Conservation Guides and Miscellaneous documents to member nations in Latin America and the Caribbean. New periodicals such as Non-wood News and Wood Energy Forum were launched.

Support to initiatives in the follow-up to UNCED

46. FAO provided inputs to the Secretariat for IFF in terms of documentation and research and in the intersessional meetings under various Government-led initiatives. Under the partnership for the implementation of the IPF proposals for action, FAO chairs the informal, high-level Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests (ITFF) and is the leading agency in four areas: national forest programmes, assessment of multiple benefits of all types of forests, criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought, and impact of airborne pollution on forests.

47. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) has prepared with the support of Project GCP/RLA/127/NET a IPF/IFF Series on national progress on the implementation of the IPF Proposals for Action, covering until mid 2000, reports of 13 countries of the Region.

B. REVIEW OF FAO FORESTRY FIELD PROGRAMME

Introduction

48. Since mid 1997, the field programme in the Region is administrated by the Regional Operations Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean, RLCR, in Santiago, Chile, created as part of the decentralization process of FAO Headquarters Operations Division. This process is the result of the decision to transfer the field programme to FAO's Regional Offices.

49. At the beginning of 2000 the Director-General decided to promote a second Phase of the field programme's administrative decentralization. It was determined that within a two year period all national projects should be administrated by the FAO Country Representatives. A small group of projects, such as regional projects, will continue to be administrated by the Regional Offices.

50. It has also been decided that Technical Officers of the Regional Offices must take over part of the management functions of projects, particularly aspects related to the cycle of the projects, formulation, completion and control of results. In this context, the Director-General gave instructions indicating that, beginning 2001, 80% of the time of technical officers should be devoted to the field programme, strengthening the new approach to project management.

51. The second decentralization phase of the field programme seeks to enhance the efficiency of the Organization's resources, placing administrative decisions of projects at the level of the beneficiary countries. Adequate administration and direct and timely management of project resources at the country level was made possible by the implementation of the electronic Financial Administration System (FAS) in the FAO Representations, with direct communication with FAO Headquarters in Rome.

52. For reasons that have not been analysed in detail up to now, FAO's field programme has sustained a significant reduction, thus justifying the new decentralisation. However, this has not taken place in the Latin American and Caribbean region, where the programme has grown in recent years, it being the only region with such characteristics.

Scope of FAO's Forest Programme in the Region

53. FAO's forestry field programme operating in the Region in July 2000 has 24 projects and resources of the order of US$ 42 million, corresponding to 32 percent of the Region's total programme. The distribution of the forestry projects according to source of financing is the following:

54. This distribution shows the evident concentration of projects funded by the FAO Government/Cooperative Programme (GCP), which represent 65% of the forestry programme and whose main donor is the Government of the Netherlands, in line with that country's political priorities. The programme operates in the forestry sector assisting low-income peasant populations through communal participative agroforestry development programmes, predominantly in the Andean Region. It also finances support projects to strengthen national forestry institutions for the development of sustainable implementation policies and strategies for the forestry sector.

55. Most outstanding is the increase in financing from the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). Over the last two years the programme financed by the UNDCP has increased from US$ 2,551,766 to US$ 9,435,915.

56. The UNDCP programme is constituted by a sole project which has received great attention from the international donor community, and whose funds are channelled through the UNDCP. The project has been successful in supporting peasant families which have participated in the programme for the eradication of coca plantations in the Cochabamba Tropics, Bolivia, through the adoption of agroforestry and soil conservation practices, including the rational use of native forest resources at the farm level for the purpose of decreasing the farmers economic dependence on the production of the coca leaf. The project has also generated prospects for cooperation with Colombia and Peru.

57. Also important are the projects financed by Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF), with resources of the countries themselves obtained through international bank loans or government budgetary funds mainly, and also from private and semiprivate institutions. The resources for these projects have increased from US$ 1,588,868 in 1998, to US$ 3,312,244 and will increase significantly in the short term. The UTF are concentrated on subjects of forestry and agroforestry development at the level of rural producers, as in the cases of Ecuador, Mexico and Nicaragua; and institutional support for forestry development as in the case of Brazil.

58. Projects financed by the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) with resources from FAO's Regular Programme continue to draw great interest from the member countries, considering their comparative advantages, as well as the relative speed with which they are approved and the possibility of solving critical problems in emergency situations and promoting greater investments. It is estimated that FAO's TCP will continue maintaining the level of its contributions in the framework of the criteria established for the use of these resources.

59. The projects financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have been continually reduced in the past few years. At present, financing corresponds to punctual or emergency interventions, generally as a complement to UNDP initiatives in the countries of the Region.

60. The Forestry Field Programme has operated in areas of priority for the countries of the Region, providing assistance in the incorporation of forest activities in national economies, contributing to generate work opportunities and improving the income levels of the populations involved, for the purpose of reducing the degree of poverty.

61. The programme aims its actions, fundamentally, towards two large concentration areas. The first area refers to planning projects for the sector and formulating concerted policies at the national level, with ample participation of the national institutions. Projects of this type are being implemented in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. Furthermore, the Projects GCP/RLA/127/NET - Support to National Forest Programmes of Latin America and the Caribbean, and GCP/RLA/133/EC - Information and Analysis for Sustainable Forest Management: Linking National and International Efforts in 13 Tropical Countries in Latin America, execute their activities at the regional level.

62. The second area refers to national priorities to fight poverty. The proposal of the Forestry Development Programme with Community Participation is inserted in most projects of this area. This proposal seeks to meet these national demands by incrementing the incomes of rural communities through participative extension programmes leading to communal self-management in the implementation of forest, agroforestry and environmental projects. This approach is applied particularly in projects developed in the Andean Highlands of Bolivia, Ecuador, and other ecosystems, in Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. The success of this proposal has led to a systematisation of the experiences.

63. As part of the policies promoted by the Director-General, cooperation between the regular programme and the field programme is now more concrete and evident. In this context, in June 2000, a meeting of the Chief Technical Advisors of the projects of the Region was held in the Regional Office for the purpose of further strengthening the links between the activities developed by the projects and those executed through FAO's regular programme in the Region, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the parts and leading to a more complementary and productive exchange and cooperation.

64. Following the Director-General's policies, initiatives in the framework of Partnership Agreements have increased significantly, using academic and research personnel from internationally recognized centres of knowledge, national retired civil servants, and retired United Nations staff, as well as Technical Cooperation between Developing Countries (TCDC), a form of cooperation which has grown significantly in the past two years. In addition to reducing the cost of cooperation, the TCDC has the advantage of promoting cooperation between similar institutions in the countries.

Future Prospects

65. In the process of implementing its forest programme in the Regional Office, FAO seeks to adapt to the institutional changes which have taken place in the countries of the Region, as well as to policy adjustments in donor countries. For this purpose, FAO is promoting a second administrative decentralization of its field programme, in an effort to increment efficiency and bring the levels of decision-making regarding projects closer to their direct beneficiaries.

66. Projects also aim at finding consensus with regional demands to ensure the effectiveness and impact of the programme. This is evident in the concentration of efforts on the two regional priorities: strengthening institutions and consideration of national policies through national and regional projects; and the contribution to alleviate poverty through direct assistance projects for the less favoured agroforestry producers. This trend also emphasises multisectoral initiatives and decentralization at the national level. In seeking institutional sustainability for their activities, projects intensify their relationship with private and non-governmental organizations, decentralized government institutions, such as townships and municipalities, and with local social organizations. All of this through strategic alliances as a mechanism for coordination and exchange of resources for efficient development of activities in subjects and objectives of common interest.

67. Considering the technical capacity already developed in the countries, it is estimated that the tendency to develop projects with exclusively national personnel will continue. At present, the field forest programme has over eighty qualified national professionals under contract in the Region.

68. It is considered that the programme will continue with its tendency to increment its financing through UTF and eventually, in areas under drug control, with UNDCP. A decrease in the funds of the FAO/Government Cooperative Programme is also expected.

69. In the framework of the initiatives promoted by the FAO Director-General, there will be an intensification of the synergy between the field programme and the regular programme, converting the first into an excellent promoter of the principles developed by the second.

Conclusions

70. In recent years the FAO forest programme in Latin America and the Caribbean has advanced in response to the priorities of the countries of the Region. National forest programmes have been supported by FAO both at the regional as well as the national level through specific projects. Subjects such as the international commitments with the IPF, IFF and the Kyoto Protocol, have been discussed by the Governments with adequate FAO support.

71. The implementation of the projects at the level of peasant communities necessarily evolves from purely forest activities towards a broader and multidisciplinary approach, determining the requirements of the beneficiary population.

72. The establishment of strategic alliances by the projects with representative institutions of civil society is in line with demand as a result of the reorganization of public services in general and forest agencies in particular, assigning priority to decentralization as well as to the partial reduction of old functions. It is thus sought to ensure institutional sustainability of the results of the projects.

73. The evolution of FAO's attention to the Region's forestry sector must follow the priorities established by the member countries in forums such as this Commission. Instances of this nature are of greater importance in the measure that negotiation of financing for the projects increasingly passes through the beneficiary countries themselves.

74. Forest Projects operating in the Region as of July 2000, are listed below, and Table 1 includes a summary of this information.

Forestry projects in operation in the Region as of July 2000

Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)

TCP/BRA/8923 (Brazil). Strengthening public administration of the forestry sector and the national forest programme. (US$ 324,000)

The purpose of this project is to prepare and consolidate the national forest programme and strengthen the necessary technical, organizational and institutional mechanisms for its execution.

TCP/COS/0066 (Costa Rica). Marketing and industrialization of wood from forest plantations. (US$ 148,000)

The main purpose of this project is to provide small and medium producers with the necessary instruments to manufacture and market the products from forest plantations efficiently, so as to increase production, obtain greater income for the rural population, decrease the pressure on natural forests, and maintain a sustainable reforestation activity.
TCP/CUB/8925 (Cuba). Dendroenergy, an alternative for the sustainable development of energy in Cuba. (US$ 278,200)

The main purpose of this project is to conduct case studies for the utilization of forest fuels in industrial activities and provide assistance in the adoption of optimized dendroenergy systems and in formulating a national dendroenergy strategy to promote the sustainable use of Cuba's dendroenergy resources.

TCP/HON/0065 (Honduras). Support to the transformation process of the forestry sector. (US$ 187,000)

In order to strengthen the transformation process of the forestry sector of Honduras, the project is intended to provide technical support to the sectoral concertation processes through updating the National Forestry Action Plan and formulating a new forest law and its regulations.

TCP/SUR/0065 (Suriname). Strengthening national capacity to control the sustainable use of forest resources (US$ 130,000)

The immediate objectives are to ensure the continuity of technical assistance to complete the creation of the Foundation for the Sustainable Management and Control of Production before the end of the year 2000, and the formulation of a follow up project and its presentation to potential donors to ensure the development of the foundation under a forest management authority capable of financing itself.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

HON/95/G82 (Honduras). Support the Forestry Agenda of Honduras. (US$ 30,000)

The purpose is to provide technical assistance in the following areas: evaluation of the progress and difficulties in implementing the FORPLAN, analysis of policies and development of priorities of the forestry sector, identification of priority programmes and subjects for forestry development, studies for the establishment of agendas for discussion and analysis of its institutional framework, and training activities.

FAO/Government Cooperative Programme (GCP)

GCP/BOL/028/NET (Bolivia). Coordination and implementation of the Forestry Action Plan. Phase II. (US$ 2,551,000)

The purpose is to achieve sustainable utilization of renewable natural resources through the definition of sectoral policies and strategies, originating in participative and consensual instances supported by institutions with adequate technical and scientific bases.

GCP/BOL/030/NET (Bolivia). Community forest development in the Bolivian highlands. Phase II. (US$ 6,425,209)

The purpose of the project is to improve living conditions of the peasants of the high Andean area in the department of Potos�, on the basis of sustainable natural resources and environmental management, and improvement and introduction of new agrosilvopastural production systems.

GCP/COL/022/NET (Colombia). Development of community participation in the forestry sector. Phase II. (US$ 2,500,000)

The purpose of the project is to contribute to the sustainable improvement of the quality of life of the peasant, indigenous and black families of the Andean area of the departments of Caldas, Quindio, Risaralda and Tolima, through the execution and consolidation of self-managing forestry and agroforestry activities, identified, designed, implemented and evaluated by the community.

GCP/CUB/011/NET (Cuba). Support integral conservation of natural resources of the Zapata swamp. (US$ 556,227)

The purpose of this project is to stop the deterioration of the natural resources of the Zapata swamp ecosystem.

GCP/ECU/070/NET (Ecuador). Support communal forestry development in the Ecuadorian Andes. (US$ 4,980,855)

The purpose of this project is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the peasant communities of the Ecuadorian Andes, through communal forestry development and the protection and conservation of renewable natural resources.

GCP/GUA/008/NET (Guatemala). Support the management and coordination of the Forestry Action Plan for Guatemala. Phase II. (US$ 2,204,633)

The purpose of the project is to support and facilitate national conservation and production processes to maximise natural goods and services, especially forest products, through the design and implementation of policies and strategies that will promote their sustainable management and use, within and outside protected areas, facilitating their incorporation in productive activities in order to contribute to the country's economic and social development.

GCP/HON/019/NET (Honduras). Support the development of cooperatives and other associative forms of agroforestry production. (US$ 4,227,000)

The purpose of the project is to develop and strengthen agroforestry cooperatives, their federative bodies and other associative forms of agroforestry production, for them to become organizationally, technically and financially capable institutions, with real rights, for the use and conservation of forest resources through sustainable management, in the framework of the market economy and agricultural modernization.

GCP/PER/035/NET (Peru). Support the National Forest Development Strategy of Peru.
(US$ 1,831,730)

The objectives are to design the National Strategy for Sustainable Forestry Development in a participative manner; strengthen the efficiency of public forestry administration in connection with the normative, control, promotional and administrative functions of the forestry activity; and increment public and private capacities to execute development and conservation activities validating technological and policy proposals for sustainable forestry development.

GCP/RLA/127/NET (Regional). Support national forest programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean. (US$ 1,229,976)

The purpose is to support the countries of the region in formulating, updating or implementing their national forest programmes.

GCP/RLA/134/NET (Central America). Central American component of the Forests, Trees and People Programme. (FTPP). (US$ 594,700)

The strategic objective is to increment economic and social equity and improve the well being of the rural population, especially the poorest sector, by supporting collaborative and sustainable local management of forests and other natural resources.

GCP/SUR/001/NET (Suriname). Consultative forestry assistance to the Ministry of Natural Resources of Suriname. (US$ 1,365,900)

The objective is to develop sustainable management systems for forests.

United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP)

UNO/BOL/723/DCP (Bolivia). Support the management, conservation and harvesting of forest resources in the Tropics of Cochabamba. Phase II. (US$ 9,435,915)

The general purpose of the project is to contribute to the yearly coca leaf reduction processes in the Cochabamba Tropics and to the National Alternative Development Policy, intended to substitute the economy generated by coca and its derivatives for another, seeking to strengthen agricultural and livestock development in the framework of the rational use of natural resources and to attract investments in the industrial, agroindustrial, touristic, artisanal, transportation, communications and services areas.

Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF)

UTF/BRA/047/BRA (Brazil). Positive agenda for the forestry sector in Brazil. (US$ 307,323)

The purpose is to identify and develop policy instruments and operational mechanisms to implement the strategy designed for the forestry sector.

MTF/ECU/001/ECF (Ecuador). Agroforestry family gardens in the Ecuadorian Sierra. Phase II. (US$ 678,339)

The purpose is to improve the profitability of the gardens and the food security of peasant families collaborating with project Peasant Forest Development, through agroforestry gardens, promoting gender equity, and economically viable and environmentally sustainable proposals.

MTF/ECU/003/ECF (Ecuador). Sustainable management of the natural resources of western Pichincha. (US$ 278,229)

The development objective: is to improve the living conditions of peasant families in the North West of the Province of Pichincha, through sustainable management of their natural resources and agroforestry peasant family gardens under associative management.
UTF/ECU/086/ECU (Ecuador). Community forestry development in Ca�ar. (US$ 237,044)

The development objective is to contribute to the sustainable management of the renewable natural resources of the Province of Ca�ar. The intermediate objective is to establish a team of trained technicians, support organizations and experiences to ensure the continuity of the participative forestry extension programme.

UTF/MEX/047/MEX (Mexico). Micro-watershed management in mountain zones of the Xochimilco conservation zone (US$ 611,309).

The purpose is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in the Xochimilco conservation area, through productive and profitable use, in accordance with their vocation, of soils currently susceptible to the establishment of irregular settlements and changes in land use.

UTF/NIC/028/NIC (Nicaragua). Rehabilitation of four micro-watersheds affected by Hurricane Mitch in the Municipalities of Posoltega, Telica and Quezalguaque, PROCASITAS. (US$ 1,200,000)

The purpose is to contribute to alleviate the situation of social and environmental risk of some 400 families, considering those most affected by Hurricane Mitch, and reduce vulnerability in the four most critical micro-watersheds of the Municipalities of Posoltega, Quezalguaque and Telica.

C. FOLLOW-UP TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TWENTIETH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION

The following table summarises the recommendations of the Twentieth session of the Commission and the action taken or proposed.