International instruments and organizations relevant to the forest sector

Several processes, internationally and regionally driven, have been addressing forest law enforcement, governance and associated trade in the forest sector.

(d) Encourage cross sectoral coordination, nationally and internationally, between the forest sector and other sectors, so as to identify and reduce impacts on forests from decisions taken outside the forest sector

Decentralization in the forest sector should not be implemented in isolation from a general national forestry strategy such as national forest programs.

The private sector has a major role to play in forest based development.

Fuelwood conservation and substitution is of high priority in the African forest sector.

Parties in this region proposed 50 per cent of all forest sector projects.

To date, uneven success has been achieved with decentralization in the forest sector.

(a) Developing partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable forest management, including initiatives among Governments, organizations and other stakeholders, both within and beyond the forest sector

There is a need to explore ways to use available ODA for the forest sector more effectively in promoting sustainable forest management and building respective national capacities.

Some developed countries mention that they are considering reforms of the forest sector and new approaches to forest development based on decentralization and greater involvement by local populations.

This loss is more than three times greater than the level of ODA to the forest sector.

Develop a diagnostic tool to assist concerned stakeholders in countries assess, plan and manage forest sector decentralization.

Disincentives for sustainable forest management. The Ad Hoc Expert Group on Finance and Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies also noted that the achievement of sustainable forest management can be greatly hindered by policies established outside the forest sector.

Weak law enforcement often leads to illegal activities in the forest sector, causing economic, social and environmental loss.

Decentralizations in the forest sector should begin by working with local people and by building on their institutions.

The effective implementation of forest sector decentralization may depend on a basic national consensus regarding decentralization in general.

In the forest sector, decentralization is only one of the tools for sustainable development, not a goal itself.

(d) Facilitating cross sectoral coordination nationally and internationally between the forest sector and other sectors in order to reduce negative impacts on forests of decisions made outside the forest sector and to provide broad guidance and assist the development of national policies and legislation.

The Forum may also wish to call on countries to create enabling conditions for private sector investments and encourage environmentally and socially responsible investments in the forest sector.

For decentralization in the forest sector, one can draw lessons from similar processes in other sectors such as health and education.

Research to improve scientific knowledge in the forest sector and in depth study of coastal zones was also reported as important.

(b) Strengthen the horizontal cross sectoral linkages between the forest sector and other sectors at the global, regional, national and local levels.

The Workshop explored the effect of the decentralization of forest sector processes on social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions around the world.

The Interlaken Workshop on decentralization of the forest sector considered various concepts, definitions and terms currently employed in the implementation of this activity.

These processes are also directing efforts towards the development and implementation of criteria and indicators relevant for the forest management unit, involving a range of partners, including forest owners, indigenous communities, non governmental organizations and the private sector.

The forest ecosystem and forest resources

Reforms in the forest sector, good governance and the creation of a stable and sound institutional and policy environment will help attract more international finance for development and contribute to the self financing of the sector.

Farmers and forest owners also produce heat and electricity which they sell to small and medium sized enterprises in industry and the public service sector.

The financial resources required for achieving sustainable forest management are often beyond the capacity of Governments, and there is an increasing need for private sector investment.

Forest operations and the forest industry provide employment and income to millions of workers and forest dwellers.

Such statements should clarify the significance of forests and the forest sector for reducing poverty, contributing to national economic growth and conserving key environmental services and values.

Improving the access to markets of local forest sector producers is perhaps one of the most efficient ways to promote trade driven development that reaches the poor.

Promote genuine community based forest management that empowers forest peoples.

The declining flows of ODA to the forest sector need to be addressed by focusing on the contribution that forests can make to achieving internationally agreed development goals.

(n) Also noting the need to improve the standard of living and working conditions within the forest sector, bearing in mind relevant internationally recognized principles on these matters

The Technical Secretariat has also defined specific issues that should lead directly to concession cancellation and debarment from operating in the foreseeable future in the Liberian forest sector.

While forest biodiversity continues to decline as a result of deforestation, forest degradation and associated fragmentation of forest habitats, strong efforts are now being made to reverse this trend by restoring the forest functions in degraded forest landscapes.

Re wetting peatlands and the restoration of degraded peat forests should be the next step, followed by the creation of early warning systems to detect and control forest fires. Finally, with the support of the private sector, Indonesia needs to establish a community based forest management system.

C. Greater recognition of sustainable forest management and forest products trade

(i) Develop financing strategies that outline the short , medium and long term financial planning for achieving sustainable forest management, taking into account domestic, private sector and foreign funding sources

In this context, it would be desirable to undertake concrete measures to mainstream and integrate the forest sector with the appropriate component(s) of societal agenda and national planning

Forest fiscal reform provides opportunities to increase revenues generated from forest resources.

(k) Recognizing the importance of collaboration among members, international organizations, the private sector and civil society, including indigenous peoples and local communities, and other stakeholders in promoting sustainable forest management

In the forest sector, decentralization should be seen as a means to accomplish the broad objectives of poverty alleviation, sustainable economic development, and protection of local and global environmental values.