UNITED NATIONS		E
	Economic and Social Council     Food and Agriculture Organization	Distr. GENERAL FO: EFC/00/9 2 October 2000 Original: ENGLISH

Review of activities in 1999/2000 and integrated programme of work for 2001 to 2005

(Item 10 of the Provisional Agenda)

INTRODUCTION

1. Under this agenda item, the joint session is invited to review activities since October 1999 and to approve a programme of work for 2001-2005.

2. The present document contains:

• a short overview of all activities carried out between September 1999 and September 2000, with references to other documents (e.g. reports of meetings) where fuller information may be obtained;
• an indication of those points of decision or discussion to which the joint session may wish to devote priority attention;
• a draft programme;
• a list of forthcoming meetings;
• mandates of all the teams of specialist active under the auspices of the Committee or its subsidiary bodies.

3. Supplementary documentation for this agenda item includes the following:

• information on activities which are not reported elsewhere, which will be issued as addenda to the present document;
• information on activities of other ECE Principal Subsidiary Bodies which are of relevance to the Timber Committee (TIM/2000/6)

4. In this way, it is hoped that delegations may have an overview of developments, while maintaining access to detailed background information, and thus be in a position to devote the limited session time to discussion of the most important aspects.

Overview of activities since autumn 1999

5. Set out below is a very brief overview of these activities:

5.1 Collection and dissemination of information on trends in the sector

• Six issues of the Timber Bulletin were published (ECE/TIM/BULL/52/..), with information and analysis on market conditions, production and trade, prices and forest fires;
• Two numbers of International Forest Fire News were issued;
• The Timber Committee website (http://www.unece.org/trade/timber), has been considerably expanded, with sites for market information, the Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee, Forest Resource Assessment, outlook studies (EFSOS) and storm damage, as well as documents for all official meetings;
• The Timber Committee Yearbook 2000 was issued;
• The Intersecretariat Working Group on forest sector statistics met in Luxembourg in March 2000;
• The joint FAO/ECE/EUROSTAT/ITTO questionnaire was revised in the light of experience in 1999/2000, circulated and the results used for the Timber Bulletin and the Forest Products Annual Market Review;
• The Section's data base and data handling system were completely reconstructed;
• Cooperation in data handling with FAO HQ was further strengthened: the Timber Section now inputs data directly into the FAOSTAT database, thus excluding the possibility of divergence between the databases;
• A meeting was held in May 2000 to brief national statistical correspondents and to listen to their suggestions and complaints. Despite the short notice, this meeting was a success, and participants recommended that it be repeated, with external funding to facilitate participation by correspondents from transition countries;
• After the storms in December 1999, the secretariat collected data from countries affected and made it available on the website. Five press releases were issued to inform market actors and the general public of the situation. This information was also used in the Forest Products Annual Market Review.

5.2 Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment 2000

• In November 1999, Forest Resources of Europe, CIS, North America, Australia, Japan and New Zealand, the UN-ECE/FAO Contribution to the global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, was completed and sent for publication. It was issued in paper form in May 2000;
• The core data for the 55 countries were transmitted to the FRA team for inclusion in the global Forest Resource Assessment. Short texts on each country's forest resource for uses in the FRA website were prepared, checked by national correspondents, and will also be posted on the website;
• The database is being finalized, for distribution on a CD-ROM and will be made available as soon as possible;
• The team of specialists reviewed the process of preparing the study, considered lessons to be learnt and follow-up.

5.3 Sustainable forest management in the region: support to the follow-up to UNCED and to the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe

• The ECE/FAO secretariat participated actively in meetings of the MCPFE, including discussions of the preparation of a pan-European programme of work. The programme adopted includes several activities being carried out by the Committee, the Commission or their subsidiary bodies;
• A team of specialists, under the Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee, on public participation in forest decision making, prepared a report on the topic, defining terms and exploring issues, as well as bringing together case studies, for the use of the MCPFE;
• An enquiry on protected forest areas was developed and circulated in co-operation with the MCPFE, as part of the follow-up work to TBFRA 2000;
• A discussion on the state of forests in the region, based on national reports, will take place at the joint session;
• A study tour will take place in Canada shortly before the joint session;
• The team of specialists on public relations of the forest sector will meet in September 2000 in Canada, together with an International Forest Communicators Forum;
• The team of specialists on reducing impact of forest operations on ecosystems has collected relevant information on this topic which will be released in a final synthesis report;
• The Timber Committee continued to monitor markets for certified forest products: a special chapter of the annual review and a section of the Committee's market discussion address this question;
• A workshop on the changing role of national forest services was held in Estonia in spring 2000.

5.4 Activities for countries in transition

• The secretariat continued to implement its mandate as international coordinator for Helsinki resolution H3 on forestry assistance to countries in transition; a data base on the topic, based on project by project information supplied by national correspondents has been developed and is posted on the website. Countries were requested in summer 2000 to update the information in the database;
• A workshop on marketing of non-wood forest products is being prepared, to take place in November 2000, in Moldova.

5.5 Review of markets for forest products and short-term forecasts

• The Forest Products Annual Market Review was prepared in July 2000 (ECE/TIM/BULL/53/3);
• The annual market discussion will take place on Tuesday 10 October 2000.

5.6 Outlook for the supply and demand for timber and non-wood goods and services

• The outlook study programme was re-launched: the core team met in spring 2000, a plan of action has been drawn up and is being implemented on the authority of the bureaux. This topic is discussed in greater detail below.

5.7 Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics

• The Working Party's next session will be in May 2001. During 1999/2000, the recommendations of the last Working Party session in the field of outlook studies, forest resource assessment and regular annual data collection were implemented.

5.8 Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training

• The Joint Committee Steering Committee met in Bordeaux in September 1999, and the Joint Committee itself met in Geneva in May 2000, reviewed activities in the three work areas and considered its potential contribution to sustainable forest management in the region (TIM/EFC/WP.1/2000/2). It has a particularly full and challenging programme for the next 5 years, which will be presented in detail for review by the joint session as a special topic;
• A seminar on forest operations of tomorrow took place in France in September 1999;
• A workshop on information systems in forestry took place in Finland in June 2000;
• A seminar on harvesting of non-wood forest products in Mediterranean conditions will take place in Turkey in October 2000, shortly before the joint session;
• A seminar on the role of women in the forest sector will take place in Portugal in April 2001;
• A report on multiple use forestry based on the work of a team of specialists, was issued.

Availability of resources

6. According to the ECE Plan of Action, 3.0% of ECE resources are devoted to the Timber Committee. The regular budget (ECE and FAO) staff available in Geneva to carry out the integrated ECE/FAO work programme are 5 professional posts, and 5 general service posts (of which 1 half time), together with part of the time of the Division Director (D1) responsible for the Timber Committee and the Committee on Trade Industry and Enterprise Development. The bureaux of the Committee and the EFC are consulted about priorities in allocation of resources between programme elements.

7. However, these regular budget resources, although vital for the success of the programme are only a part of the resources committed to carrying out the integrated ECE/FAO work programme. Probably the most important, although unquantifiable, contribution is the active participation by national representatives in the many activities carried out. This includes notably participation in meetings, seminars, workshops and teams, hosting seminars and providing information. Staff of partner organizations, notably FAO HQ and ILO, but also Eurostat, ITTO, MCPFE and others also make a notable contribution in the framework of inter-organization cooperation which is now central to the implementation of most parts of the programme. Some countries have contributed to a small trust fund. Several countries have made contributions in kind. For instance, Finland funded an Associate Professional Officer (APO) for a year to work on TBFRA, and Switzerland, with support from the Flanders region of Belgium and the UK provided two experts to support and coordinate the work of the team of experts on participation. These contributions were a major element in the success of these two projects. The production of IFFN is paid for by the US Bureau of Land Management. Other experts and interns have been made available for shorter periods by governments and others, notably in the context of TBFRA, outlook studies and the market work.

8. It is clear that these contributions, mostly in kind, have significantly improved the scope and quality of the analysis and information provided by ECE/FAO. The secretariat considers that further contributions of this nature, focused on particular projects, would greatly improve the quality of the work, notably on TBFRA follow-up, the outlook study programme and the market information service. The joint session may wish to urge members, and the private sector, to consider making contributions, of funds or in kind, to ECE/FAO work. It should be pointed out that usually the benefit of such a contribution is proportionally greater than the cost, as often it "unlocks" information and ideas from a large group of high level experts. In the case of loaned experts, the expert himself or herself may be expected to benefit from exposure to international issues, and gain experience, knowledge and contacts of a type which may not be available at the national level.

Questions requiring the attention of the Committee and the Commission

9. Delegations are invited to review in detail all items on the draft work programme, make any necessary changes and agree on a final version. There are a few questions which the secretariat wishes to draw to the attention of the Committee and Commission which appear to merit more detailed discussion. They are outlined below.

Outlook studies

10. After the completion of the previous European outlook study in 1996, a new European forest sector outlook study was launched in 1999. The sequence of events has been as follows:

• Preliminary discussion by Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics (May 1999);
• Consideration of options by Timber Committee, which asked the secretariat to undertake planning and consultation (October 1999);
• Survey of actual and potential users of outlook studies (autumn 1999);
• First meeting of core group, which prepared a detailed mandate and plan (March 2000);
• Endorsement of proposals by bureaux (May 2000);
• Consultation with experts, potential partners and contributors of funds (summer 2000).

11. The main features of the proposed programme, now re-titled European Forest Sector Outlook Studies (EFSOS) to reflect its wider scope are as follows:

• The programme should address a wide range of policy relevant issues, not only supply and demand of wood and forest products;
• Nevertheless, the first step should be the preparation of a baseline study which would essentially update ETTS V, with the same scope and methods;
• A number of complementary studies on policy relevant themes should be carried out, on themes to be identified (see below) as resources allow;
• The process should draw on the knowledge and experience of national correspondents as well as of specialists in outlook studies;
• The process should be guided by the core group;
• Partnerships should be built with other organizations for instance ITTO which is also doing outlook work at the national and international levels;
• In particular a "dialogue" should be developed with the global level studies being prepared by FAO.

12. Possible themes for the complementary studies identified by the core group and the bureaux are:

• Competitiveness of European timber products in the frame of increasing globalisation;
• Economic stabilisation in countries in transition and restitution of forestland to private owners: influences on European timber markets.

13. The next steps proposed are as follows:

• Meeting to define alternative scenarios;
• Ex-post analysis of long term trends, and their underlying causes;
• Meeting of national correspondents;
• Preparation of baseline scenario.

14. Full details of the proposed activities are in the document TIM/2000/7/Add.1 FO:EFC/00/9/Add.1 The joint session is invited to:

• Review and comment on the proposed programme;
• Authorise the secretariat to implement the programme with any modifications the joint session may consider necessary;
• Consider, modify if necessary and approve the mandate for the core group;
• Invite countries which have not yet done so to nominate national correspondents;
• Invite Governments and other agencies, including the private sector, to consider whether they could contribute to the programme in resources or in kind.

Forest Resource Assessment

15. ECE/FAO's contribution to the global forest resource assessment and, specifically the publication of Forest Resources of Europe, CIS, North America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand will be discussed under item 7 of the provisional agenda. In the light of this discussion, the joint session is invited to decide on further work in the field of forest resource assessment by ECE/FAO. This includes notably follow-up to TBFRA-2000, (e.g. satellite papers, databases etc.), and the broad approach to further work (see especially the conclusions and recommendations of the team of specialists, reproduced in TIM/2000/4 FO:EFC/00/5). However, the secretariat considers that no firm decisions should be made until the results of the global FRA are available and have been evaluated, as it is essential to maintain complete compatibility between definitions and approaches in different regions.

Assistance to countries in transition

16. The main ECE/FAO activity for countries in transition, has been the regular monitoring of forestry assistance to countries in transition through the H3 database. The database is regularly updated, and meetings of the team of specialists that consider what should be the main direction of this assistance and whether in fact the assistance is in line with countries' needs and priorities. The next session will be held in conjunction with a meeting on the topic under the auspices of the MCPFE, in Poland in 2001. A number of workshops have been held on a variety of topics within the Committee and the Commission's mandate (e.g. marketing of forest products, role of national forest services, markets for certified forest products). The main constraint to widening and intensifying these activities has been lack of funds to organize meetings and pay travel costs for participants. The joint session is invited to consider how further funds could be made available to support this priority part of the programme. In view of the continuing priority attached to transition issues, it is proposed to extend the duration of the programme element 1.4 to 2004.

POSSIBLE TEAM OF SPECIALISTS ON FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS

17. Analysis of trends and outlook for forest products markets has been at the core of the Timber Committee's activities since its foundation in 1948. Indeed for the first few years, it was the only major activity and the centre of interest. ECE/FAO has an intense and well-regarded programme of publications and the annual market discussion at the Committee session.

18. The secretariat draws regularly on the knowledge and experience of an informal network of contacts, whose contribution is acknowledged in the preface to the Annual Review. However, there is no formal system of advise/guidance for the secretariat in the field of market information as there is for forest resource assessment or for outlook studies. Both these activities have teams of specialists which make a major contribution to the work of expertize and guidance. At the meeting of the EFSOS core group in March 2000, it was suggested that a team of specialists was also needed for forest products markets.

19. The joint session is invited to give preliminary consideration to the idea of forming a team of specialists on forest products markets. The main tasks of such a team could be:

• advise and help the secretariat in its work on forests products markets;
• support the outlook study work in the field of forest products markets;
• increase ECE/FAO capacity to help countries in transition in the field of forest products (at present, no resources are available for significant activities in this area, although there is much to be done).

Study tours

20. The Joint Timber Committee and European Forestry Commission Study Tour in Canada will take place from 9-16 September 2000. Results of the study tour will be presented to the joint session. The joint session is invited to discuss the tour and thank the hosts and participants.

21. A study tour in Poland in 2001 is being planned, although the Polish authorities are not yet in a position to confirm the invitation. The theme under consideration for the tour is "changes in the forest and forest industries sector for integration into the European Union". The tour could be held in conjunction, if possible, with the proposed joint meeting in Poland of the MCPFE and the Team of Specialists on Countries in Transition. More information will be made available at the joint session.

22. The annual study tours depend upon active participation of the delegations. However, in recent years, the secretariat and the organizers have encountered difficulties in attracting participants, despite the attractive programmes and announcements distributed in good time. Possible causes mentioned include lack of professional publicity, competition for travel budgets from the plethora of international forest-related meetings, the existence of other ways for experts to become acquainted with the situation in countries which interest them, or, quite simply, a failure to realize that there are long term benefits for experts and policy makers from exchanging experience with their counterparts in other countries. The joint session may wish to consider the reasons for the difficulty in attracting sufficient participants as well as possible solutions (including discontinuing the annual tours, if they are not assigned sufficient priority). If it were decided to continue the tours, attractive themes and country hosts for tours after 2001 would be needed.

PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE FOREST AND FOREST INDUSTRY SECTOR

23. Recent work of the FAO/ECE Team of Public Relations Specialists in the Forest and Forest Industries Sector include a number of activities that have been conducted (see TIM/1999/5):

• The publication of a study titled "The Competitive Climate for Wood Products and Paper Packaging: the Factors Causing Substitution with Emphasis on Environmental Promotions." A FAO/ECE Discussion Paper was published in 1999 with the summary or the study;
• A website was created under the Timber Committee site;
• The Team met in May 1999 in Estonia on the theme, "Developing capacity for forest-related public relations in countries in central and Eastern Europe".

24. The team has formed three subgroups:

• Developing European Forums for Forest and Society (EFFS), which are intended to be arenas for exchanging views and building knowledge on international issues relevant to the European forest sector;
• A series of forums would bring together key players, mostly from outside the sector, for a short period to focus on crucial and controversial issues. The major aim of the EFFS is to increase the capacity of decision-makers both within and outside the forest sector to address forest-related issues. The first EFFS has been postponed into 2001;
• Planning the International Forest Communicators Forum 2000 to be held in Canada in early September 2000. The purpose of the Forum 2000 is to provide forest communicators with effective strategies for positioning forest products. The objectives are: 1. to share strategies and tools to promote forest products as environmental products of choice vis-�-vis competitors; 2. To develop, via an enlarged network of communicators, an international action plan; 3. to learn about the pitfalls and the success stories on positioning products as environmentally acceptable; 4. to share experiences within the international community on successful and not-so-successful efforts at positioning forest products; 5. to gain a better understanding of customer and supplier views on forest product acceptance.

25. The team will meet in September 2000, after the Forum. An unofficial and non-translated secretariat note will be distributed at the joint session to report on the Forum 2000 and Team meeting. The Team will consider their mandate (which expires in November 2000) at their September meeting and make proposals at the joint session, for a revised mandate, as the activities of the three subgroups are scheduled to take place after November 2000. Furthermore, the team is the only intergovernmental body active in both field of public relations, despite the importance attached to the topic by both the Lisbon Ministerial Conference and IFF.

PROMOTION OF THE SOUND USE OF WOOD

26. This theme was chosen at the Timber Committee session in 1999 as a suitable one to be taken up as a contribution to implementing the IFF programme of work. The team of specialists on Public Relations was asked to prepare the topic, and this is on the agenda of their meeting in Canada in September. At present no country has offered to host the meeting, so no preparatory work could be undertaken. In their national reports under agenda item 3, several countries mentioned that one element of their national forest policy or strategy was the encouragement of the consumption of forest products. Would one of these countries consider hosting the proposed meeting as an international element of the national work?

Trade and environment issues in the forest and forest products sector

27. This was the other theme chosen at the Timber Committee session in 1999, and was also discussed by the bureaux. The secretariat is consulting with other partners about possible themes and modalities and will submit proposals to the joint session.

USER SURVEY

28. A survey of users of ECE/FAO publications and products, financed by Finland, was initiated in 1998 and the main results were presented to the FAO/ECE Working Party in May 1999. Many of its recommendations have already been implemented. It was intended to carry out a survey of potential users, but unfortunately this has not been possible. The secretariat intends to report on the study and make it more easily available, without the survey of potential users. In view of the emphasis in the UN system as a whole on objectively measuring the quality of output, this survey was extremely important for ECE/FAO and the secretariat considers it should be repeated in about 2 years time. However, experience with the past study showed that it is essential to undertake user surveys with professional methods and adequate resources if worthwhile results are to be achieved. For that reason, the secretariat is seeking countries that might be able to contribute the services of an expert in user surveys to carry out the next survey.

CONCLUSIONS

29. The joint session is invited to:

• Comment and decide on each of the priority issues mentioned above;
• Review the attached draft programme, mandates of teams and list of meetings, make any necessary changes and approve them.

ANNEX I

This programme is carried out by the ECE Timber Committee (TC) and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC), and their subsidiary bodies, which meet approximately in a two-year cycle:

• The Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training (JC)(2002, 2004)
• - The Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics (FES)(2001, 2003)
• - The EFC Working Party on Management of Mountain Watersheds (MMW) (2000, 2002)
• The EFC/AFWC/NEFC Working Party on Mediterranean Forestry Questions Silva Mediterranea (SM) (2001, 2003)

A. CORE PROGRAMME: MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS SECTOR IN THE REGION

1.1 Collection and dissemination of information on trends in the sector, including publication of the Timber Bulletin

Description: Information is regularly collected and disseminated on production, trade and prices of roundwood and forest products, and forest fires.

Method of work: Statistics are collected on an annual basis from countries and published in the Timber Bulletin and on the Internet. Data collection is coordinated with FAO Rome, EUROSTAT and ITTO and the results are shared between all four organizations. The whole system is reviewed by the Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics at its biennial sessions.

Duration: Continuing

Annual outputs: publication of six issues of the Timber Bulletin: on forest products prices, statistics on production and trade, trade flow data, the annual market review, forest fire statistics and the Committee's market discussion at its annual session. The data and analysis are also made available in electronic form and on the Internet.

1.2 Forest Resource Assessment 2000 (temperate and boreal forests)

Description: Information on the forest resource of the temperate and boreal zones (including developed countries outside the ECE region), will be collected and published in the context of the FAO global forest resource assessment, under the guidance of the Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics.

Method of work: An enquiry was prepared under the supervision of a team of specialists, taking into account the recommendations of the Experts Consultation at Kotka (Finland) in June 1996. The results were published in 2000. At all stages, the work is being carried out in close cooperation with the FAO Forestry Department and other organizations active in this area.

Duration: Continuing, review in 2003

Outputs in 2000/2001: publication, database and background documentation. The team met in 2000, at European Forest Institute.

1.3 Sustainable forest management in the region: support to the follow-up to UNCED and the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe

Description: The Committee and the Commission will provide support, as appropriate, to the follow-up to UNCED, including the work of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD), the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF), and the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). In particular, the Commission will review, on a regular basis, national forest policies and selected topical policy issues, such as certification of sustainable forest management, in order to review implementation at the national level of the provisions of UNCED and the pan European process, and as support for national policy makers. The Committee and the Commission will collect and analyse information relevant to Helsinki Conference resolutions H1 and H2, notably as regards quantitative indicators of sustainable forest management and support the reporting to the pan European process on this subject.

Method of work: At each EFC session, delegations submit national progress reports, according to an outline drawn up by the Executive Committee. These reports are synthesized by the secretariat before the session, presented, discussed and subsequently published. The Committee and the Commission will cooperate with the pan-European process in drawing up a MCPFE programme of work, as laid down by the Lisbon Ministerial Conference. The team of public relations specialists will continue to work towards creating a positive image of the forest sector, according to the mandate in annex III. The team of specialists on socio-economic aspects of forests, under the auspices of the Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee, provided input to resolution L1 of the Lisbon Conference and the team of specialists on participation and partnerships in forestry will submit a report on this topic to the MCPFE. Possible activities on trade and environment issues in the forest and forest industries sector will be carried out as decided by the Committee and the Commission at their joint session. Strategies to stimulate and promote the sound use of wood and other forest based products, as environmentally friendly and renewable materials will also be discussed by a seminar (to be confirmed).

Duration: to 2002

Outputs in 2000/2001: Review of national progress reports, at joint session, Rome 2000. International Communications Forum, Canada, September 2000. European Forums for Forest and Society (to be confirmed). Report on public participation in forest decision making. Possible activities on trade and environment, promotion of sustainable use of wood.

1.4 Activities for countries in transition, including coordination of implementation of resolution H3 of the Helsinki Ministerial Conference

Description: The Committee and Commission will provide assistance to the countries in transition, in order to promote the process of economic reform and transition to a market economy in their forest and forest products sector. The topics and themes to be included in this programme shall be in line with the priorities and needs identified by the countries concerned. The Committee and the Commission will contribute to implementing resolution H3 on forestry assistance to countries in transition, by monitoring and analysing this assistance; in particular to determine whether it corresponds to countries' real needs and priorities.

Method of work: The work is guided by a team of specialists, which meets regularly. The secretariat, as international coordinator for H3, collects, stores and analyses information and reports regularly to the parent bodies and, as appropriate, to meetings of the pan European process. A data base on forestry assistance to countries in transition is maintained and its contents made available. The Committee and Commission implement a wide range of activities, notably workshops, which are scheduled and organized in a flexible manner, under two broad headings:

• - Institution building, including legal and policy infrastructure;
• - Development of market oriented and ecologically sound enterprises.

Duration: to 2004

Outputs in 2000/2001: a workshop on sustainable development of marketing of wood and non-wood forest products and recreation services in forests. The database on forestry assistance to countries in transition, established under resolution H3 will be updated regularly and made widely available. The team will meet in 2001.

1.5 Review of markets for forest products and short term forecasts

Description: The Committee analyses, on a continuous basis, short term trends in the production, trade, consumption and prices of forest products and forecasts short term prospects, with a view to providing Governments and the forest products sector with accurate and up-to-date information and assessments.

Method of work: The annual session of the Timber Committee reviews short term trends and prospects in the markets, on the basis of estimates provided by delegations and the Forest Products Annual Market Review, prepared by the secretariat, which reviews trends in the previous year. An analysis of trends and short-term outlook, approved by the Committee, is published. The Committee's market discussion also reviews trends in the markets for certified forest products on the basis of information provided by delegations on developments in their countries, and statements by experts.

Duration: Continuing

Annual outputs: Forest Products Annual Market Review and the Committee's market statement at its annual session.

1.6 Forest and forest products sector outlook studies

Description: The Committee and Commission prepare and publish studies of the outlook for the forest and forest products sector in the region, addressing issues such as the long term scenarios for the supply and demand of forest products and other goods and services of the forest, as well as other major, policy relevant, issues, of a regional or subregional nature. The work is overseen by the Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics, which determines in particular the scope and objectives of the studies to be undertaken.

Method of work: A baseline scenario, with approximately the same scope as ETTS V, and "business-as-usual" assumptions will be prepared. Then a series of alternative scenarios on policy-related themes. Analysis will be based on quantitative scenarios, prepared with and reviewed by national correspondents. Work will be coordinated with the FAO outlook studies programme.

Duration: Continuing

Output in 2000/2001: Outline and plan of action for future outlook studies. Meeting of national correspondents, identification of themes for alternative scenarios. Baseline scenario completed in 2002.

B. AREAS OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COMMISSION AND/OR THE COMMITTEE

2.1 Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics

Description: The Working Party keeps under review the needs for international statistics in the forest and forest products sector and develops programmes to meet those needs, notably with regard to improving comparability; develops methodologies for collection and analysis of information and statistics; and undertakes projects in the field of economics and statistics relating to forestry and forest products.

Method of work: The Working Party meets every two years and advises the parent bodies and the secretariat on the implementation of work in its field. In particular, it is responsible for guiding the implementation, in its area of competence, of programme elements 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6.

Duration: Continuing

Outputs in 2000/2001: At its session in 2001 the Working Party will evaluate the TBFRA, review plans for the next outlook study, and consider intergovernmental cooperation on forest sector statistics.

2.2 Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training

Description: The Joint Committee assists countries, in particular those which its parent bodies may identify at any time as requiring priority attention, to develop their forestry activities in the context of sustainable development. This is achieved by fostering international cooperation on technical, economic and organizational aspects of forest management and forest working techniques and of the training of forest workers in logging and forest operations.

Method of work: The Joint Committee's activities are led by a Steering Committee, which meets annually. There are three subject areas: management (e.g multiple use forestry, ecological and economical issues, marketing, information systems), technology (e.g. forest engineering, ecologically and economically sound operations in silviculture, wood harvesting and transport) and training (e.g. for workers, supervisors and managers, including applied ergonomics, occupational safety and health and social aspects of forestry). Much of the work is carried out by teams of specialists which report to the Joint Committee and Steering Committee sessions, or by seminars or workshops hosted by member countries.

Duration: Continuing

Outputs: The Joint Committee's work programme for 2001-2005 is set out in the report of its twenty-third session (June 2000), (TIM/EFC/WP.1/2000/2).

2.3 EFC/AFWC/NEFC Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions, Silva Mediterranea

Description: Silva Mediterranea will advise FAO and member countries in the Mediterranean region on the implementation of the Mediterranean Forest Action Programme (MED-FAP). It will also encourage the exchange of information and the coordination of research in topics of interest to Mediterranean forestry, through research networks.

Method of work: Silva Mediterranea will act, at regular sessions and between them, as an inter-governmental forum for the coordination, monitoring and orientation of MED-FAP. It will contribute to identifying international regional priority activities, as well as designing and monitoring them. Six research networks are at present operational, focusing on forest fires, key species of the subregion (stone pine, cedar species, and the most recently created network, on cork oak), other multipurpose tree species, and on selection of stands of Mediterranean conifers for the production of seeds to be used in reforestation programmes.
Duration: Continuing

2.4 FAO Working Party on the Management of Mountain Watersheds

Description: The Working Party collects information, documents technologies, monitors evolution, exchanges experience and discusses progress within mountain ecosystems in view of their sustainable management and conservation. Important areas of concentration will be sustainable management and security of mountain ecosystems, with special attention to torrent control, avalanches, risk zoning, and mapping and early warning systems.

Method of work: The Working Party has an important role in the follow-up of Agenda 21, and supports FAO's role as task manager for chapter 13 on mountain ecosystems. The twenty-first session was held in May/June 1998 in the Czech Republic. Key areas of concentration will be sustainable management of mountain ecosystems, improved mountain livelihood systems, in response to UNCED, activities related to international agreements on mountains, and risk and disaster control and monitoring.

Duration: Continuing

PART II

PROJECTS FOR POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION AT A FUTURE TIME

(See ECE decision O (45) and Supplementary report containing the views and proposals of ECE to the Special Commission of ECOSOC, E/ECE/1150/Rev.1, para. 131)

Structural trends in markets for forest products and in the structure and capacity of forest industries

Description: The Committee and the Commission review medium-term (3-5 years) trends in the production, consumption, trade and prices of major forest products and the structure and capacity of the sawmilling and wood-based panels industries, so that governments may be continuously informed of structural trends in the forest products sectors.

Work accomplished and to be undertaken: Medium-term surveys are carried out on a 3-year rotation of sectors. These surveys incorporate as appropriate the results of surveys of the structure and capacity of major sectors (every time for panels, every other time for sawmilling). The issue of the medium-term surveys has been suspended until the Geneva staff is at full strength.

ANNEX II

PROVISIONAL LIST OF MEETINGS IN 2001 AND 2002 FALLING WITHIN THE TIMBER COMMITTEE'S PROGRAMME OF WORK

Note: The meetings are sub-divided into two categories: meetings marked (A) are open to delegates or approved representatives from all member countries of ECE was well as from other countries that are members of the United Nations and organizations accredited to ECE (or to FAO and ILO, in the case of meetings co-sponsored by them). Meetings marked (B) are those restricted to the countries or individuals nominated by their countries to take part in the activity concerned, e.g. a team of specialists. At the Committee's website (http://unece.org/trade/timber) an up-to-date calendar of meetings, can be consulted.

2001

2002

Date	Location	Title
May (to be confirmed)	Geneva	Meeting of the Timber Committee office holders and the EFC Executive Committee (B)
September (to be decided)	Ireland	Seminar on afforestation (A)
September (to be decided)	Ireland	Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training, 15th session (A)
September (to be decided)	Geneva	ECE TIMBER COMMITTEE, sixtieth session (A)
October (to be decided)	Sochi, Russian Federation	Workshop on multi-functional forestry in protected and vulnerable areas (A)
Autumn	Rome	Meeting of the team of specialists on temperate and boreal forest resource assessment 2000 (B)
(to be decided)	Flanders, Belgium	Seminar on partnerships in forestry (A)
(to be decided)	Turkey (to be confirmed)	Seminar on forest fire (A)

ANNEX III

MANDATES OF TEAMS OF SPECIALISTS

Reference to programme of work: 1.2.

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of July 2000)
ACTIVITIES
Past:	the Kotka III meetings in 1996; meetings of the team, March 1995, April 1996, March 1997(Switzerland), March 1998 (Italy) March 1999, Geneva, May 2000 Finland; meetings of national TBFRA national correspondents, for CITs in Gmunden (Austria) 1997 and Geneva, 1997; review and revision of the first draft Main TBFRA-2000 Report; publication of the Main TBFRA-2000 report.
Ongoing:	Follow-up to the TBFRA 2000
Future:	preparation for publication, analysis, dissemination of TBFRA data, as a contribution to the Global FRA-2000; preparation of TBFRA-2000 accompanying papers.
References:	TIM/EFC/WP.2/R.144; TIM/EFC/WP.2/1999/2; TIM/2000/5 and TIM/2000/5/Add.1.
TEAM LEADER:	Professor Michael K�hl (Germany)
MEMBERSHIP:	Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, European Commission, UNEP, EU/Joint Research Centre (Ispra), WWF, European Forest Institute, World Conservation and Monitoring Centre

Reference to programme of work: 1.3

TEAM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALISTS IN THE FOREST AND FOREST INDUSTRIES SECTOR
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY:		FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) and ECE Timber Committee (TC)
References:		As approved in the reports of the TC session, ECE/TIM/91, paragraph 29, and EFC session, FO:EFC/98/REP, paragraph 26.
MANDATE:	In support of the overall goal of creating a positive image of the forest sector (including all phases of forest resource management and forest industry), the TC and the EFC renew their decision to create a Team of Public Relations Specialists in the Forest and Forest Industries Sector, with a mandate to: promote networking among member states for capacity building and exchange of information in public relations and communication; identify key common concepts and promote their incorporation in forest sector communications and public relations activities in the member countries; identify key needs for improvement of forest sector public relations and communication and communicate them to the TC and the EFC; assist the TC and the EFC to improve public relations and information related to their work; promote the development of national capacity in forest sector public relations and communication, particularly in countries in transition; stimulate and promote the sound use of wood and other forest products as environmentally friendly and renewable resources.
DURATION:	November 2000
APPROVED BY:	The Timber Committee and the European Forestry Commission in September and October 1998, respectively
REPORTING:	The team reports annually to the TC session and to each EFC session.
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: 1. Conduct the International Forest Communicators Forum 2000; 2. Assist in PR for TC and EFC outputs such as Forest Resources Assessment 2000, etc; 3. Assist Joint ECE/FAO/ILO Committee in the seminar on "Forests meet the public"; 4. Expansion of the international network of PR specialists in the ECE region; 5. Initiate series of European Forums for Forest and Society.

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of July 2000)
ACTIVITIES
Past:	Meetings for mandated work, exchange of information and discussion of issues in Fontainebleau (France), T�llberg (Sweden) Beaupr�, Qu�bec (Canada), Gmunden (Austria), Biri (Norway), Sesimbra (Portugal) and Sagadi (Estonia). Publication of The Competitive Climate for Wood Products and Paper Packaging: the Factors Causing Substitution with Emphasis on Environmental Promotions (the "Substitution Report"), an ECE/FAO Discussion Paper on the Substitution Report and a PR "toolkit". Workshop for countries in transition in Ossiach (Austria). Produced a poster for the 1996 FAO World Food Summit. Published "Forest and forest industries country fact sheets". Established a PR Team website under the Timber Committee site.
Ongoing:	Advising PR for the outputs of the Committee and the Commission. Preparing an International Forestry Communications Forum 2000 in September 2000 in St. Jame's, Newfoundland, Canada to build international consensus on issues and common approaches, including promotion of wood as environmentally friendly and renewable and to follow-up on the "substitution report." Preparing to conduct a European Forum for Forest and Society in Finland. Subgroup started to work on building PR capacity in central and eastern European countries.
Future:	Next meeting of the Team in Canada in September 2000 in conjunction with the International Forest Communicators Forum 2000. Provide PR follow-up to Forum 2000 and on Lisbon Conference resolutions, especially as applied to the TC and EFC. Develop capacity in PR in central and eastern European countries (CEEC). Conduct European Forums for Forest and Society. Extend the Team's network to include more Mediterranean countries and CEECs. Increase PR activities concerning certification of sustainable forest management where appropriate.
References:		TIM/1999/5/Add. 4; TIM/1998/5/Add. 1; TIM/1999/5/Add. 1.
TEAM LEADER:		Mr. I. Gschwandtl (Austria) and Deputy Leader, Ms. B. Sanness (Norway)
MEMBERSHIP:		Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, The F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Reference to programme of work: 1.4

TEAM OF SPECIALISTS TO MONITOR AND DEVELOP ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN TRANSITION
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY:		UN/ECE Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Commission
References:		Report UN/ECE Timber Committee, ECE/TIM/83
MANDATE:	The team will periodically review (one-two years) and make recommendations concerning the whole ECE/FAO programme of assistance to countries in transition to a market economy in the forestry, forest industries and forest products sector, with the purpose to ensure that it would be in accordance with countries' needs and performed in effective and efficient way. It will develop the ways of cooperation, monitor and support the signatory countries in the implementation of the Resolution H3 "Forestry Cooperation with Countries with Economies in Transition" of the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe.
DURATION:	To 2004
APPROVED BY:	UN/ECE Timber Committee, 52nd session, ECE/TIM/83, paras.9-19; and 56th session, ECE/TIM/91; FAO European Forestry Commission, 27th session, FO: EFC/95/REP, para. 42
REPORTING:	The team reports and makes recommendations to the UN/ECE Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Commission and through the ECE/FAO secretariat to the General Coordinating Committee for Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forests in Europe.
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: Up-to - date database is on Internet Timber Committee website, overview of assistance activities

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of July 2000)
ACTIVITIES:
Past:	Meetings of the team: November 1997 in Ljubljana, Slovenia; July 1999 in Gmunden, Austria
Ongoing:	The team undertakes activities to achieve its mandate stated above. Initially these include compiling the information of countries, signatories of the Resolution H3, on the activities undertaken for its implementation. The list of meetings (workshops, seminars) on aspects of transition to a market economy in the forestry, forest industries and forest products sector is being compiled by the team every year and stored in the database. On the basis of this information, the priorities of assistance is being identified and updated on a regular terms. The information is supplied to the General Coordinating Committee for Pan - European process for the Protection of Forests
Future:	The next meeting of the team is to be organized in May 2001
References:	TIM/R.237 and Add.1; ECE/TIM/91
TEAM LEADER:	Dr. Stanislaw Zajac (Poland)
MEMBERSHIP:	Austria, Armenia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Greece, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, European Commission, UNEP, European Forest Institute

Reference to programme of work: 1.6

TEAM OF SPECIALISTS ON FOREST SECTOR OUTLOOK
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY:		Timber Committee, 56th session and EFC 29th session
References:		TIM/1998/5, FO:EFC/98/7
MANDATE:	The team will advise the secretariat on the planning and implementation of the ECE/FAO programme of outlook studies, notably as regards scope, objectives, methodology, data, presentation and will support in obtaining additional resources
DURATION:	To 2004
APPROVED BY:	Joint FAO/ECE Working party on Forest Economics and Statistics, May 1999 (TIM/EFC/WP.2/1999/9, paras 24-25); Timber Committee, October 1999 (ECE/TIM/93).
REPORTING:	To sessions of Joint FAO/ECE Working Party on Forest Economics and Statistics at sessions in 2001 and 2003
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: Guidance on methods, data, objectives, etc. of baseline and alternative scenarios.

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of July 2000)
ACTIVITIES:
Past:	Meeting in March 2000. "EFSOS activities 1999/2000", "Description of medium-term EFSOS tasks", "EFSOS working programme 2000/2001" Informal meeting "Use of Global Forest Sector Model in the frame of EFSOS" July 2000
Ongoing:	Informal working meetings
Future:	Meeting in December 2000 "Policy oriented scenario studies in the frame of EFSOS" Meeting in April 2001 "Status of EFSOS and the working programme for the next year" Special topic "European Timber Trends and prospects"
References:	TIM/1998/5, FO:EFC/98/7, TIM/EFC/WP.2/1999/9, paras 24-25) Timber Committee October 1999 TIM/EFC bureaux office holders
TEAM LEADER:	To be appointed
MEMBERSHIP:	So far the EFSOS core team included representatives from Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the FAO. Nominations, especially from North America and other Eastern European countries as well as policy specialists are invited. Team members should have considerable knowledge and experience of outlook study work, and be prepared to make substantive contributions to a technical and policy oriented discussion.

Reference to programme of work: 2.2 (1.1)

TEAM OF SPECIALISTS ON FOREST FIRE
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY:	The Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training.
References:	Report 19th session Joint Committee: TIM/EFC/WP.1/22, para. 76 Report 21st session Joint Committee: TIM/EFC/WP.1/26 Report 22nd session Joint Committee: TIM/EFC/WP.1/28
MANDATE:	The team will undertake forest fire activities as determined by the Joint Committee, through: - the promotion of scientific methods in forest fire management and forest fire policy; - the provision of guidance to member states on forest fire management and forest fire policies; - the organization and preparation of seminars, workshops and educational programmes; and the promotion of the continuous exchange of information and experience among country forest fire specialists from the policy, managerial and research spheres; - cooperation and coordination of activities with other international organizations dealing with forest fire questions in the region (FAO, Silva Mediterranea, IUFRO, the European Union and others); - criteria for harmonization and reporting of forest fire statistics; - the publication twice yearly of International Forest Fire News (IFFN).
DURATION:	To 2002
APPROVED BY	The Joint Committee's 20th, 21st and 22nd sessions
REPORTING:	The team reports to each session of the Joint Committee and of the Steering Committee
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: 1. develop a feasibility study for a Global Vegetation Fire Information System; 2. develop the link between fire inventory, management and policy; 3. develop a fire inventory system to meet the objectives of UNCED; 4. revision of the FAO Forest Fire Glossary; 5. bi-annual publication of International Forest Fire News (IFFN).

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of March 2000)
ACTIVITIES:
Past:	Meetings in April 1994, December 1994, 1996 and May 1998, attendance at World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction and the International Wildfire Conference, Canada 1997; Seminar on Forest, Fire and Global Change, August 1996; First International Baltic Conference on Forest Fire 1998.
Future:	Team meeting in June 2000; Baltex Fire 2000; Explore possibilities of holding a seminar in The Mediterranean region or in North America.
References:	Report of the first meeting, TIM/EFC/WP.1/R.121/Add.1, TIM/EFC/WP.1/1998/3, annex 1 and 2, TIM/EFC/WP.1/2000/5. Issues of IFFN report on the team's activities
TEAM LEADER:	Mr. J.G. Goldammer (Germany)
MEMBERSHIP:	Austria, Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Namibia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States of America

Reference to programme of work: 2.2 (1.5)

TEAM OF SPECIALISTS ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN FORESTRY (CONTINGENCY PLANNING IN FORESTRY)
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY:		The Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training.
References:	Report 23rd session Joint Committee: TIM/EFC/WP.1/2000/2
MANDATE:	Collect information about problems and solutions in dealing with storm damage, in particular the damage by "Lothar" on 26 December 1999. Identify areas where international cooperation, exchange of information or research is most urgently needed. Update the damage manual of the Joint Committee, taking particular account of problems relating to damage inventory, organization, management, harvesting techniques, transport, and safety. Define alternative strategies for disaster preparedness in line with the character (time, size, region, timber species) and the type (forest fire, insect attack, windfall) of the event. Establish a website where the information collected is easily available and regularly updated. Determine if a seminar might be appropriate (when and where?) in order to present the experiences gained after 1999 and to exchange views and information.
DURATION:	To 2002
APPROVED BY	Joint Committee,23rd session, June 2000
REPORTING:	The team reports to each session of the Joint Committee and of the Steering Committee
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS: Present the first version of the updated manual to the twenty-fourth session of the Joint Committee

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of June 2000)
TEAM LEADER:	to be appointed
COUNTRY MEMBERS to be appointed	COUNTRIES WHICH MIGHT HAVE SPECIAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

Reference to programme of work: 2.2 (3.4)

TEAM OF SPECIALISTS ON PARTICIPATION AND PARTNERSHIPS IN FORESTRY
A.- TERMS OF REFERENCE
ESTABLISHED BY	The Joint FAO/ECE/ILO Committee on Forest Technology, Management and Training
References	Report 22nd session Joint Committee: TIM/EFC/WP.1/28, (mandate modified by Timber Committee in September 1999)
MANDATE	Clarify the concept of "participation" and develop the conceptual framework for participatory forest management (involvement of the public), awareness of the forest and use of forest products and services by the public Draw up a report to the Joint Committee and the pan-European process on participatory management and proposals for follow-up actions Assist in the preparation of the proposed seminars in Switzerland on Public relations and environmental education in forestry, and in Belgium on Partnerships. Collect and even initiate case studies.
DURATION	to 2002
APPROVED BY	The Joint Committee's 22nd session, 1998
REPORTING	The team reports to each session of the Joint Committee and of the Steering Committee
EXPECTED OUTPUT IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS Report to the MCPFE in summer 2000.

B.- INFORMATION SHEET (as of June 2000)
ACTIVITIES
Past	A workshop (November 1999 in Switzerland) to launch the activities of the team in coordination with the past team on socio-economic aspects. The team met in V�xjo, Sweden in March 2000 to develop concepts and address main issues of the participatory process. Assist in the preparation of the Joint Committee seminars on Forestry meets the public; on Partnerships; and on Women in forestry.
Ongoing	Draw up a report to the Joint Committee and the MCPFE on participatory management and proposals for follow-up actions.
Future	A report on Public participation framework and recommendations to be completed and published in August 2000. Focus on the mandate on "Raising awareness" to be pursued into the Timber Committee ToS on Public relations.
References	TIM/EFC/WP.1/AC.1/1999/2; TIM/EFC/WP.1/2000/2
TEAM LEADER	Miles Wenner (United Kingdom)
MEMBERSHIP:	Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, IFBWW, WWF/IUCN.