102 FORESTS 2001 PART INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS
102 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 103 International dialogue and global regional and national initiatives n international commitment to work towards then under the Intergovernmental Forum on sustainable development was made almost Forests (IFF) IFF recently completed its work and a decade ago at the United Nations Conference on has put forth a proposal for an international Environment and Development(UNCED), also arrangement on forests, including the known as the Rio Conference, which took place in establishment of the United Nations Forum on Rio de janeiro, Brazil in June 1992. Preparations Forests(UNFF) re now being made for the Rio+10 Conference, The terms for three international conventions which willl be held in 2002 Rio +10 will take were agreed on at UNCED: the Convention on stock of the progress made over the past ten years Biological Diversity, the Framework Convention towards meeting the commitments made at on Climate Change and the Convention to UNCED. The review will focus on the Combat Desertification, 2 all of which are relevant plementation of Agenda 21, the plan of action to, but not solely concerned with, forests. The past produced by UNCED, and identify measures for few years have brought further progress in their its further implementation. implementation as well as strengthened links with Forests were among the many subjects one another, with IPF and IFF, and with longer- addressed at UNCED, and the Conference served standing conventions, including the Convention as a catalyst for the intense discussions and wide- on International Trade in Endangered Species of ranging initiatives on forests that followed. This Wild Fauna and Flora(CItEs) and the ramsar chapter highlights major initiatives-international Convention 3 and regional, governmental and non governmental - to promote sustainable forest on forests have intensified since UNCED, regional management. Although the focus is on cooperation in forest issues also increased and developments over the past two years, many of strengthened. Among the existing regional these efforts were initiated at, or were later tergovernmental initiatives related to forests, offshoots of UNCED recent developments have occurred in the Cong The countries of the world were much divided basin/ central Africa, southern Africa, Central on forest issues at UNCED. In order to advance America, the amazon basin, Asia and europe beyond the agreements contained in the "Forest Increased cooperation is also occurring at the Principles and Chapter 11(Combating ecoregional level; initiatives for countries with a deforestation) of Agenda 21, intergovernmental low forest cover and for mountain forests discussion and debate continued, first under the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and The full name is the Convention to combat desertification in those Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification, The full name is the ne ding authoritative articularly in Africa. 3 The full name is the Convention on wetlands of International Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat(also known as Types of Forest. the Wetlands Convention)
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 103 An international commitment to work towards sustainable development was made almost a decade ago at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Conference, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992. Preparations are now being made for the Rio +10 Conference, which will be held in 2002. Rio +10 will take stock of the progress made over the past ten years towards meeting the commitments made at UNCED. The review will focus on the implementation of Agenda 21, the plan of action produced by UNCED, and identify measures for its further implementation. Forests were among the many subjects addressed at UNCED, and the Conference served as a catalyst for the intense discussions and wideranging initiatives on forests that followed. This chapter highlights major initiatives – international and regional, governmental and nongovernmental – to promote sustainable forest management. Although the focus is on developments over the past two years, many of these efforts were initiated at, or were later offshoots of, UNCED. The countries of the world were much divided on forest issues at UNCED. In order to advance beyond the agreements contained in the “Forest Principles”1 and Chapter 11 (Combating deforestation) of Agenda 21, intergovernmental discussion and debate continued, first under the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) and International dialogue and global, regional and national initiatives then under the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF). IFF recently completed its work and has put forth a proposal for an international arrangement on forests, including the establishment of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). The terms for three international conventions were agreed on at UNCED: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification,2 all of which are relevant to, but not solely concerned with, forests. The past few years have brought further progress in their implementation as well as strengthened links with one another, with IPF and IFF, and with longerstanding conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Ramsar Convention.3 While international discussions and agreements on forests have intensified since UNCED, regional cooperation in forest issues also increased and strengthened. Among the existing regional intergovernmental initiatives related to forests, recent developments have occurred in the Congo basin/central Africa, southern Africa, Central America, the Amazon basin, Asia and Europe. Increased cooperation is also occurring at the ecoregional level; initiatives for countries with a low forest cover and for mountain forests are 1 The full name is the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forest. 2 The full name is the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa. 3 The full name is the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (also known as the Wetlands Convention)
104 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 most notable. Cutting across geographic regions, related to forests remain controversial, complex such initiatives serve to increase intercountry and politically sensitive, countries agree that the collaboration based on ecological similarities main priority for the next few years is the In agreeing to the Forest Principles of UNCED's implementation of the proposals for action Agenda 21, countries committed themselves to adopted between 1995 and 2000 by IFF and its working towards the sustainable management of predecessor, IPF. (The topics of the proposals for all types of forests to ensure the continued action are listed in Table 13. )Contributing to vailability of the goods and environmental and this enhanced international dialogue has been social services that they provide. The need to the active participation of non-governmental define what sustainable forest management and indigenous peoples'organizations, which tually means in practice and to provide tools to have taken a leading role in a number of measure progress gave rise to the development of regional and global initiatives and international criteria and indicators for sustainable forest meetings of experts management Model and demonstration forest IFF recognized that increased financial resources programmes have been established to illustrate the transfer of environmentally sound technology, what sustainable forest management looks like in and capacity building to support national forest practice as well as the processes that may be programmes were essential elements in the employed to work towards it. implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for Recognition of the fact that sustainable forest action. The continued coordination of the forest management cannot be achieved in the absence of related activities of intemational organizations and an enabling institutional framework has led to nstruments was also recognized as important. The increased international support for national forest informal Interagency Task Force on Forests (ITFF) programmes. The results of a recent review of set up in 1995 as a coordination mechanism for national forest programmes are reported in the support to iPf by international organizations, was section, National-level efforts to support acknowledged as one of the main institutional sustainable forest management, p. 114. legacies of the IPF/IFF process. Integral to the concept of sustainability are One of the most controversial issues facing IFF social development and equity, which necessitate was how to establish an international arrangement widespread participation in decision-making so nd mechanism on forests, including the question that stakeholders can represent their own of a legally binding instrument on all types of interests. NGOs(including those representing the forests. After long and intense deliberations, IFF interests of various civil society sectors)have ached an agreement on the establishment of a become major recognized voices in international new intergovernmental body, which should be discussions on this topic and are key catalysts for built on existing forest-related arrangements. More action at the local level specifically, IFFs recommendations were for the Economic and Social Council(EcOSoc) and the THE IFF AND UNFF PROCESSES FF achieved notable progress in building (a)"Establish a new intergovernmental body consensus on international forest policy issues which may be called the United Nations through the intensive deliberations carried out Forum on Forests UNFF during its term, from July 1997 until April 2000. (b) Invite the executive heads of relevant As a result, the wide gap that existed between organizations of the United Nations syst North and south at the unced conference in 1992 and at the rio+5 Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1997 has narrowed 'See the Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests considerably. Although a number of issues on its fourth session(E/CN. 17/2000/14)
104 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 most notable. Cutting across geographic regions, such initiatives serve to increase intercountry collaboration based on ecological similarities. In agreeing to the Forest Principles of UNCED’s Agenda 21, countries committed themselves to working towards the sustainable management of all types of forests to ensure the continued availability of the goods and environmental and social services that they provide. The need to define what sustainable forest management actually means in practice and to provide tools to measure progress gave rise to the development of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. Model and demonstration forest programmes have been established to illustrate what sustainable forest management looks like in practice as well as the processes that may be employed to work towards it. Recognition of the fact that sustainable forest management cannot be achieved in the absence of an enabling institutional framework has led to increased international support for national forest programmes. The results of a recent review of national forest programmes are reported in the section, National-level efforts to support sustainable forest management, p. 114. Integral to the concept of sustainability are social development and equity, which necessitate widespread participation in decision-making so that stakeholders can represent their own interests. NGOs (including those representing the interests of various civil society sectors) have become major recognized voices in international discussions on this topic and are key catalysts for action at the local level. THE IFF AND UNFF PROCESSES IFF achieved notable progress in building consensus on international forest policy issues through the intensive deliberations carried out during its term, from July 1997 until April 2000. As a result, the wide gap that existed between North and South at the UNCED Conference in 1992 and at the Rio+5 Special Session of the UN General Assembly in 1997 has narrowed considerably. Although a number of issues related to forests remain controversial, complex and politically sensitive, countries agree that the main priority for the next few years is the implementation of the proposals for action adopted between 1995 and 2000 by IFF and its predecessor, IPF. (The topics of the proposals for action are listed in Table 13.) Contributing to this enhanced international dialogue has been the active participation of non-governmental and indigenous peoples’ organizations, which have taken a leading role in a number of regional and global initiatives and international meetings of experts. IFF recognized that increased financial resources, the transfer of environmentally sound technology, and capacity building to support national forest programmes were essential elements in the implementation of the IPF and IFF proposals for action. The continued coordination of the forestrelated activities of international organizations and instruments was also recognized as important. The informal Interagency Task Force on Forests (ITFF), set up in 1995 as a coordination mechanism for support to IPF by international organizations, was acknowledged as one of the main institutional legacies of the IPF/IFF process. One of the most controversial issues facing IFF was how to establish an international arrangement and mechanism on forests, including the question of a legally binding instrument on all types of forests. After long and intense deliberations, IFF reached an agreement on the establishment of a new intergovernmental body, which should be built on existing forest-related arrangements. More specifically, IFF’s recommendations4 were for the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN General Assembly to: (a) “Establish a new intergovernmental body which may be called the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF); (b)Invite the executive heads of relevant organizations of the United Nations system 4 See the Report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests on its fourth session (E/CN.17/2000/14)
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 105 TABLE 13 Topics of the IPF and IFE proposals for action Programme element Progress through national forest and land use programmes Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation Traditional forest-related knowledge Fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought Impact of airborne pollution on forests Needs and requirements of countries with low forest cover A A Financial resources Transfer of environmentally sound technology to promote sustainable forest management HILA Assessment of the multiple benefits of all types of forests D.8 Assessment, monitoring and rehabilitation of forest cover in environmentally critical areas Forest conservation and protected areas ILD. 4 Forest research ILD.6 Economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure IL D.7 Future supply and demand for wood and non-wood forest products and services Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management ILB Trade and environment International organizations and multilateral institutions and instruments, including appropriate legal mechanisms ILE Forest-related work by international and regional organizations and under existing instruments ternational arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management, conservation and Promotion and facilitation of the implementation of the IPF proposals for action Monitoring of progress in implementing the IPF proposals for action and heads of other relevant intemational and (c)Within five years,. consider with a view regional organizations, institutions and recommending the parameters of a mandate instruments to form a collaborative for developing a legal framework on all UNFF and to enhance cooperation and∝° partnership on forests to support the work types of forests (d) Take steps to devise approaches towards coordination among participants appropriate financial and technology transfer
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 105 Programme element Description IPF IFF I.A Progress through national forest and land use programmes I.B II.D.1 Underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation I.C II.D.2 Traditional forest-related knowledge I.D Fragile ecosystems affected by desertification and drought I.E Impact of airborne pollution on forests I.F Needs and requirements of countries with low forest cover II.A II.A Financial resources II.B II.C Transfer of environmentally sound technology to promote sustainable forest management III.A Assessment of the multiple benefits of all types of forests II.D.8 Assessment, monitoring and rehabilitation of forest cover in environmentally critical areas II.D.3 Forest conservation and protected areas III.B II.D.4 Forest research III.C II.D.5 Valuation of forest goods and services II.D.6 Economic instruments, tax policies and land tenure II.D.7 Future supply and demand for wood and non-wood forest products and services III.D Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management IV II.B Trade and environment V International organizations and multilateral institutions and instruments, including appropriate legal mechanisms II.E Forest-related work by international and regional organizations and under existing instruments III International arrangements and mechanisms to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests I.A Promotion and facilitation of the implementation of the IPF proposals for action I.B Monitoring of progress in implementing the IPF proposals for action TABLE 13 Topics of the IPF and IFF proposals for action (c) Within five years, ... consider with a view to recommending the parameters of a mandate for developing a legal framework on all types of forests ...; (d)Take steps to devise approaches towards appropriate financial and technology transfer and heads of other relevant international and regional organizations, institutions and instruments to form a collaborative partnership on forests to support the work of UNFF and to enhance cooperation and coordination among participants;
106 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 support to enable the implementation of ECoSOC to initiate. before the councils sustainable forest management, as substantive session in July 2000, informal recommended under the ipf and iFF consultations on where to place UNFF within the ocesses UN system. These consultations commenced in IFF also reached a consensus on the proposed early June and continued through the ECOSOC working modalities for UNFF, stating that it session, but without a conclusion being reached should be open to all states"and"would on the location of unff Other unresolved issues initially meet annually.. UNFF would have a rship and voting rights. In its high-level ministerial segment, for two to three resumed session in October 2000, ECOSOC days, as required. The high-level segment could created an intemational arrangement on forests include a one-day policy dialogue with the heads inchuding UNFF which was established as a of organizations participating in the collaborative subsidiary body of ECOSOC. At the partnership..UNFF would work on the basis of organizational meeting of UNFF, held in February a multi-year programme of work, drawing on the 2001, it was decided, among other things, to base elements reflected in the rio Declaration, the the unff Secretariat in New York. The cpf was Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and established in April 2001. UNFF's first substantive the IPF/IFF proposals for action. At its first session was held in june 2001 meeting on Environment and Development, UNFF will adopt its multi-year programme of work and develop a plan of action. which INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS would address financial provision AND AGREEMENTS RELATED IFF stated that the Collaborative Partnership TO FORESTS on Forests( CPF)-the official name for the Convention on Biological Diversity partnership referred to in (b)above-"could The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties build on a high-level, informal group, such as COP-5)to the Conference on Biological Diversity, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests [TFF], which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2000 which would receive guidance from UNFF highlighted the need to expand the focus of the facilitate and promote coordinated and Conventions programme of work in forest cooperative action, including joint programming ogical diversity from research to action- and submissions of coordinated proposals to the oriented activities. COP-5 called on Parties respective governing bodies; and facilitate donor governments and organizations to take practical coordination". It said that a compact secretariat actions to do this within the scope of the existing should be established to service unff work programme. Forest biological diversity will constituted in accordance with established rules be the major thematic focus of the seventh and procedures of the United Nations and meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, strengthened through staff from secretariats of Technical and Technological Advice(SBSTTA-7)in international and regional organizations, ovember 2001, for which a substantive report institutions and instruments analysing the status, trends and options for action At its eighth session in April-May 2000, the will be prepared. The conclusions will be Commission on Sustainable Development(CSD) discussed at COP-6, scheduled for April 2002. The endorsed IFF's conclusions and proposals for aim will be to propose an action-based, integrated action. csd invited ecosoc and the un and holistic approach to the conservation and General Assembly, as appropriate, to take action sustainable use of forest biological diversity. on the proposed terms of reference for an international arrangement on forests, as recommended by IFE. It invited the President of Adopted at COP-4 in May 1998
106 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 support to enable the implementation of sustainable forest management, as recommended under the IPF and IFF processes.” IFF also reached a consensus on the proposed working modalities for UNFF, stating that it “should be open to all states” and “would initially meet annually.... UNFF would have a high-level ministerial segment, for two to three days, as required. The high-level segment could include a one-day policy dialogue with the heads of organizations participating in the collaborative partnership.... UNFF would work on the basis of a multi-year programme of work, drawing on the elements reflected in the Rio Declaration, the Forest Principles, Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 and the IPF/IFF proposals for action. At its first meeting on Environment and Development, UNFF will adopt its multi-year programme of work and develop a plan of action ... which would address financial provisions.” IFF stated that the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) – the official name for the partnership referred to in (b) above – “could build on a high-level, informal group, such as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Forests [ITFF], which would receive guidance from UNFF; facilitate and promote coordinated and cooperative action, including joint programming and submissions of coordinated proposals to the respective governing bodies; and facilitate donor coordination”. It said that a compact secretariat should be established to service UNFF, “constituted in accordance with established rules and procedures of the United Nations and strengthened through staff from secretariats of international and regional organizations, institutions and instruments”. At its eighth session in April-May 2000, the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) endorsed IFF’s conclusions and proposals for action. CSD invited ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly, as appropriate, to take action on the proposed terms of reference for an international arrangement on forests, as recommended by IFF. It invited the President of ECOSOC to initiate, before the Council’s substantive session in July 2000, informal consultations on where to place UNFF within the UN system. These consultations commenced in early June and continued through the ECOSOC session, but without a conclusion being reached on the location of UNFF. Other unresolved issues regarded membership and voting rights. In its resumed session in October 2000, ECOSOC created an international arrangement on forests, including UNFF, which was established as a subsidiary body of ECOSOC. At the organizational meeting of UNFF, held in February 2001, it was decided, among other things, to base the UNFF Secretariat in New York. The CPF was established in April 2001. UNFF’s first substantive session was held in June 2001. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATED TO FORESTS Convention on Biological Diversity The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-5) to the Conference on Biological Diversity, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2000, highlighted the need to expand the focus of the Convention’s programme of work in forest biological diversity5 from research to actionoriented activities. COP-5 called on Parties, governments and organizations to take practical actions to do this within the scope of the existing work programme. Forest biological diversity will be the major thematic focus of the seventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-7) in November 2001, for which a substantive report analysing the status, trends and options for action will be prepared. The conclusions will be discussed at COP-6, scheduled for April 2002. The aim will be to propose an action-based, integrated and holistic approach to the conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity. 5 Adopted at COP-4 in May 1998
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 107 COP-5 stressed a number of other points of Arrangements for the secretariat and for the relevance to forests. Among others, it encouraged sementation instruments have now been the application of the ecosystem approach and finalized The Global Mechanism, set up to noted the importance of supporting work on effecive use taxonomic, ecological and socio-economic issue financial resources devoted to combating for the restoration of forest ecosystems and forest desertification, is now fully operational. The COP resources. COP-5 also made reference to the IPF called for cooperation with other international and iFF proposals for action, in particular those conventions, including the Convention on concerning the valuation of forest goods and nd the fccc services, and it stressed the need to harmonize the the Convention to Combat Desertification s Convention s work with the ipf and IFF major instruments for implementation are national proposals for action on traditional forest-related action programmes, complemented by knowledge. It requested the SBSTTA to make subregional and regional programmes. The recommendations on the development of a Global strategies for implementation are described in the Strategy for Plant Conservation for consideration Conventions four regional annexes for Africa, at COP-6. It also requested the SBstta to sia, Latin America and the northern consider the impact of climate change on forest Mediterranean. Many countries have organized biological diversity in collaboration with the national awareness-raising seminars or embark Framework Convention on Climate Change on the formulation of national action (FCCC), and invited the Executive Secretary of the programmes, and 23 (including 14 in Africa Convention on Biological Diversity to strengthen have submitted their programmes. Subregional cooperation with the FCCC programmes, however, have been launched for Each contracting Party to the Convention on West Africa, southern Africa, the Maghreb Biological Diversity commits itself to developing countries, El Gran Chaco Americano(Argentina, national strategies, plans and programmes for the Bolivia and Paraguay) and La hispaniola conservation and sustainable use of biological Dominican Republic and Haiti). Regional diversity, or to adapt for this purpose existing programmes have been established for Africa and strategies, plans or programmes that reflect the for Latin America and the Caribbean. measures set out in the Convention forest Regional cooperation is being further facilitated biological diversity is a major component of some by the development of thematic programme countries' strategies, plans and programmes. networks, which focus on technical measures for At coP-5 Parties were invited to submit thematic desertification control and land rehabilitation reports on the issues to be considered in depth at Recent meetings to develop these were held for COP meetings. At COP-6, alien species, forest the African Regional Network on Agroforestry and ecosystems and benefit sharing will be Soil Conservation(Bamako, Mali, 1999), and the considered Asian Regional Thematic Network on Agroforestry and Soil Conservation in Arid, Semi-arid and Dry Convention to Combat desertification Sub-humid Areas(India, March 2000) Within the past two years, the Convention to In an effort to promote interregional Combat Desertification has held its second, third cooperation, the Convention to Combat and fourth Conferences of the Parties(Dakar Desertification convened a high-profile meeting, gal, December 1998: Recife, Brazil, November the African, Latin American and the Caribbean and Bonn, Germany, December 2000) Forum, in Bamako, Mali in March 2000 6 See footnote 2, p. 103. 7 As of end 2000
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 107 COP-5 stressed a number of other points of relevance to forests. Among others, it encouraged the application of the ecosystem approach and noted the importance of supporting work on taxonomic, ecological and socio-economic issues for the restoration of forest ecosystems and forest resources. COP-5 also made reference to the IPF and IFF proposals for action, in particular those concerning the valuation of forest goods and services, and it stressed the need to harmonize the Convention’s work with the IPF and IFF proposals for action on traditional forest-related knowledge. It requested the SBSTTA to make recommendations on the development of a Global Strategy for Plant Conservation for consideration at COP-6. It also requested the SBSTTA to consider the impact of climate change on forest biological diversity in collaboration with the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), and invited the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity to strengthen cooperation with the FCCC. Each contracting Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity commits itself to developing national strategies, plans and programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, or to adapt for this purpose existing strategies, plans or programmes that reflect the measures set out in the Convention. Forest biological diversity is a major component of some countries’ strategies, plans and programmes. At COP-5, Parties were invited to submit thematic reports on the issues to be considered in depth at COP meetings. At COP-6, alien species, forest ecosystems and benefit sharing will be considered. Convention to Combat Desertification Within the past two years, the Convention to Combat Desertification6 has held its second, third and fourth Conferences of the Parties (Dakar, Senegal, December 1998; Recife, Brazil, November 1999; and Bonn, Germany, December 2000). Arrangements for the secretariat and for the implementation instruments have now been finalized. The Global Mechanism, set up to promote the mobilization and effective use of financial resources devoted to combating desertification, is now fully operational. The COP called for cooperation with other international conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the FCCC. The Convention to Combat Desertification’s major instruments for implementation are national action programmes, complemented by subregional and regional programmes. The strategies for implementation are described in the Convention’s four regional annexes for Africa, Asia, Latin America and the northern Mediterranean. Many countries have organized national awareness-raising seminars or embarked on the formulation of national action programmes, and 23 (including 14 in Africa) have submitted their programmes.7 Subregional programmes, however, have been launched for West Africa, southern Africa, the Maghreb countries, El Gran Chaco Americano (Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay) and La Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti). Regional programmes have been established for Africa and for Latin America and the Caribbean. Regional cooperation is being further facilitated by the development of thematic programme networks, which focus on technical measures for desertification control and land rehabilitation. Recent meetings to develop these were held for the African Regional Network on Agroforestry and Soil Conservation (Bamako, Mali, 1999), and the Asian Regional Thematic Network on Agroforestry and Soil Conservation in Arid, Semi-arid and Dry Sub-humid Areas (India, March 2000). In an effort to promote interregional cooperation, the Convention to Combat Desertification convened a high-profile meeting, the African, Latin American and the Caribbean Forum, in Bamako, Mali in March 2000. 6 See footnote 2, p. 103. 7 As of end 2000
108 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 The meeting approved a programme of technical another; and the Clean Development training and scientific exchanges among the Mechanism(CDM), by which project-based countries of these regions in all aspects of dryland certified emission reductions achieved in non- degradation control (e.g. water management, soil Annex i countries are transferred to annex i conservation, agroforestry and sand-dune countries Issues under consideration that relate to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol include the United Nations framework Convention on development of a compliance system, Climate Change methodologies for the estimation of emissions and The FCCC, which was adopted in 1992 at sinks, and reporting and accounting. At COP-4, UNCED, aims at stabilizing the concentration of held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in November greenhouse gases in the atmosphere so as to 1998, Parties agreed to a two-year work prevent dangerous human-induced changes to the programme(the Buenos Aires Plan of Action global climate system. Parties to the Convention to tackle these and other implementation committed themselves to carrying out national issues inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and Because a number of questions related to the carbon sinks. Industrialized countries and treatment of land use, land use change and countries with economies in transition(FCCC forestry (LULUCF) in the Kyoto Protocol Annex I Parties)committed themselves to remained to be clarified, in 1998 the Subsidiary yorking towards voluntary goals in the reduction Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA of emissions. These obligations were intensified to the FCCC requested the Intergovernmental and specified in the Kyoto Protocol, which was Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)to examine the adopted at COP-3 of the FCCC. held in Kyoto, state of scientific and technical understanding of The three years since then have been marked by on Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestya w i Japan in december 1997 LULUCF issues. IPCC presented the Special Repo continued discussions and negotiations on details 12th session of the SBSTA and the Subsidiary regarding the implementation of the Kyoto Body on Implementation, in Bonn, Germany in Protocol, of which the salient points are as follows. June 2000. Although this report casts further light Thirty-nine developed countries and countries on the subject area, Parties still have to negotiate with economies in transition (ie. FCCC how to deal with forests and forestry aspects in Annex I Parties)committed themselves to the context of the Kyoto ProtocoL. Issues to be reducing their aggregate greenhouse gas addressed include emissions to at least 5 percent below 1990 what domestic land use, land use change levels over the period 2008 through 2012 orestry activities may be included in meet Quantified emission limitation or reduction QELRCS: commitments(QELRCs) for 2008-2012 were whether forestry activities that affect biotic established for each developed and transition carbon stocks and fluxes, for example forest country, these countries and their QELRCs are conservation and reforestation, are to be listed in Annex B of the Kyoto ProtocoL. included in the cdm- Three"flexibility mechanisms"for the definitions, guidelines and standards for mitigation of climate change through joint accounting for carbon stocks and fluxes ed on emissions trading between Annex B countries Joint Implementation (D projects, which entail SLULUCF is a term used to denote all human activities that the transfer of project-based emission an affect stocks of biotic carbon and thereby cause emissions reduction units from one annex i country to and/ or sinks of biotic carbon
108 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 The meeting approved a programme of technical training and scientific exchanges among the countries of these regions in all aspects of dryland degradation control (e.g. water management, soil conservation, agroforestry and sand-dune fixation). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change The FCCC, which was adopted in 1992 at UNCED, aims at stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere so as to prevent dangerous human-induced changes to the global climate system. Parties to the Convention committed themselves to carrying out national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks. Industrialized countries and countries with economies in transition (FCCC Annex I Parties) committed themselves to working towards voluntary goals in the reduction of emissions. These obligations were intensified and specified in the Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted at COP-3 of the FCCC, held in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997. The three years since then have been marked by continued discussions and negotiations on details regarding the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, of which the salient points are as follows. • Thirty-nine developed countries and countries with economies in transition (i.e. FCCC Annex I Parties) committed themselves to reducing their aggregate greenhouse gas emissions to at least 5 percent below 1990 levels over the period 2008 through 2012. • Quantified emission limitation or reduction commitments (QELRCs) for 2008-2012 were established for each developed and transition country; these countries and their QELRCs are listed in Annex B of the Kyoto Protocol. • Three “flexibility mechanisms” for the mitigation of climate change through joint activities among countries were agreed on: emissions trading between Annex B countries; Joint Implementation (JI) projects, which entail the transfer of project-based emission reduction units from one Annex I country to another; and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), by which project-based certified emission reductions achieved in nonAnnex I countries are transferred to Annex I countries. Issues under consideration that relate to the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol include the development of a compliance system, methodologies for the estimation of emissions and sinks, and reporting and accounting. At COP-4, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in November 1998, Parties agreed to a two-year work programme (the Buenos Aires Plan of Action) to tackle these and other implementation issues. Because a number of questions related to the treatment of land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF)8 in the Kyoto Protocol remained to be clarified, in 1998 the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA) to the FCCC requested the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to examine the state of scientific and technical understanding of LULUCF issues. IPCC presented the Special Report on Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry at the 12th session of the SBSTA and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, in Bonn, Germany in June 2000. Although this report casts further light on the subject area, Parties still have to negotiate how to deal with forests and forestry aspects in the context of the Kyoto Protocol. Issues to be addressed include: • what domestic land use, land use change and forestry activities may be included in meeting QELRCs; • whether forestry activities that affect biotic carbon stocks and fluxes, for example forest conservation and reforestation, are to be included in the CDM; • definitions, guidelines and standards for accounting for carbon stocks and fluxes; 8 LULUCF is a term used to denote all human activities that can affect stocks of biotic carbon and thereby cause emissions and/or sinks of biotic carbon
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 109 monitoring, reporting, verification and degree to which trade was influencing the status certification of carbon stocks and fluxes. of the species was found to be insufficient to Discussions on the implementation of the Kyoto warrant a proposal at COP-ll (in Nairobi, Kenya, Protocol continued at COP-6 in November 2000. April 2000)to move S. macrophylla to Appendix IL. The Protocol will not enter into force until it has COP-ll did, however, adopt a resolution to been ratified by at least 55 Parties to the establish a mahogany working group, which Convention, including certain Parties in Annex I would review the effectiveness of the Appendix that, together, accounted for at least 55 percent of Ill listing of big-leaf mahogany, and analyse legal the total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990 by all and illegal trade issues. The mahogany working Annex I Parties. group will report its findings at COP-12 scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile in lat Convention on International trade in 2002. Other proposals related to tree species that Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora were adopted by Cop-11 were the uplisting to Several threatened and endangered tree species Appendix I of the monkey puzzle tree(araucaria have been listed for many years in CITES araucana) and lignum vitae(Guaiacum sanctum) appendices, which place various levels of control or restrictions on their trade o it was not until Ramsar Convention attempts were made to list some major The Ramsar Convention, which is concerned commercial tree species in the appendices, with the conservation and wise use of wetlands however, that controversy arose. Considerable and their resources. includes in its mandate a debate was generated by the listing in Appendix range of forested wetland. As of November 1999, of big-leaf mahogany(Swietenia macrophylla) by 306 of the 1 028 sites on the Conventions List of Costa Rica(effective 1995)and by Bolivia and Wetlands of International Importance were Brazil (effective 1998), and by Bolivia's and t forested wetlands. The Convention has set itself United States subsequent proposals at COP-10 the short-term target of increasing the total June 1997) to have the species moved to number of sites on the list to 2 000 by the year Appendix Il, which would impose stricter trade 2005. Parties have agreed to give priority to designating under-represented wetland types, COP-10 agreed that further discussions were including mangroves and peatlands. needed and the issue was addressed at an The Ramsar Conventions COP-7, held in May intersessional meeting, held in June 1998 in 1999, endorsed a draft global action plan for the Brasilia, Brazil. Scientific information on the wise use and management of peatlands(including forested peat swamps) and urged that work on it be taken forward. a revised version of the plan publication was prepared before COP-6, o the results of will be presented to COP-8 in 2002. A Joint Work iscussions could not be repor lCITES Appendix Ill includes all species that any Party Plan for 2000-2001 has been developed between identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as Biological Diversity, reflecting an increased Appendix ll includes: i) all species that, while not threatened emphasis on the conservation of biological withextinction, may become so unless trade in specimens of the diversity in wetlands and continuing the collaboration that was formalized between the tw nust be subject to regulation so that trade in specimens of species referred to in i) above may be brought undereffective conventions in 1996. Forest ecosystems are one of controL Appendixl includes species threatened with extinction the thematic areas identified for collaboration. that are, or may be, affected by trade; trade in specimens of these species must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger their survival further, and it must only al cases l See footnote 3, p. 103
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 109 • monitoring, reporting, verification and certification of carbon stocks and fluxes. Discussions on the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol continued at COP-6 in November 2000.9 The Protocol will not enter into force until it has been ratified by at least 55 Parties to the Convention, including certain Parties in Annex I that, together, accounted for at least 55 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions for 1990 by all Annex I Parties. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Several threatened and endangered tree species have been listed for many years in CITES appendices, which place various levels of control or restrictions on their trade.10 It was not until attempts were made to list some major commercial tree species in the appendices, however, that controversy arose. Considerable debate was generated by the listing in Appendix III of big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) by Costa Rica (effective 1995) and by Bolivia and Brazil (effective 1998), and by Bolivia’s and the United States’ subsequent proposals at COP-10 (June 1997) to have the species moved to Appendix II, which would impose stricter trade restrictions. COP-10 agreed that further discussions were needed, and the issue was addressed at an intersessional meeting, held in June 1998 in Brasilia, Brazil. Scientific information on the degree to which trade was influencing the status of the species was found to be insufficient to warrant a proposal at COP-11 (in Nairobi, Kenya, April 2000) to move S. macrophylla to Appendix II. COP-11 did, however, adopt a resolution to establish a mahogany working group, which would review the effectiveness of the Appendix III listing of big-leaf mahogany, and analyse legal and illegal trade issues. The mahogany working group will report its findings at COP-12, scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile in late 2002. Other proposals related to tree species that were adopted by COP-11 were the uplisting to Appendix I of the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) and lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum). Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention,11 which is concerned with the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources, includes in its mandate a range of forested wetland. As of November 1999, 306 of the 1 028 sites on the Convention’s List of Wetlands of International Importance were forested wetlands. The Convention has set itself the short-term target of increasing the total number of sites on the list to 2 000 by the year 2005. Parties have agreed to give priority to designating under-represented wetland types, including mangroves and peatlands. The Ramsar Convention’s COP-7, held in May 1999, endorsed a draft global action plan for the wise use and management of peatlands (including forested peat swamps) and urged that work on it be taken forward. A revised version of the plan will be presented to COP-8 in 2002. A Joint Work Plan for 2000-2001 has been developed between the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity, reflecting an increased emphasis on the conservation of biological diversity in wetlands and continuing the collaboration that was formalized between the two conventions in 1996. Forest ecosystems are one of the thematic areas identified for collaboration. 11 See footnote 3, p. 103. 9 This publication was prepared before COP-6, so the results of the discussions could not be reported here. 10 CITES Appendix III includes all species that any Party identifies as being subject to regulation within its jurisdiction for the purpose of preventing or restricting exploitation, and as needing the cooperation of other Parties in the control of trade. Appendix II includes: i) all species that, while not threatened with extinction, may become so unless trade in specimens of the species is subject to strict regulation; and ii) other species that must be subject to regulation so that trade in specimens of species referred to in i) above may be brought under effective control. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction that are, or may be, affected by trade; trade in specimens of these species must be subject to particularly strict regulation in order not to endanger their survival further, and it must only be authorized in exceptional cases
110 STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS 2001 International Tropical Timber Agreement Declaration and its related efforts which are The International Tropical Timber Agreement essentially governmental. These two processes 1994 came into force on 1 January 1997. It are mutually reinforcing and have the potential remains in force for four years(up to to coalesce in the future 31 December 2000), with the possibility of two CefDHAC. also known as the brazzaville three-year extensions, effectively giving it a ten- Process, was launched in May 1996 as a forum year life span. A mid-term review of the for consultation, information exchange and the International tro mber organiz strengthening of subregional cooperation in (ITTO) and its operations was carried out in matters concerning central African forests. The early 2000, and members decided to extend the member countries are Burundi, Cameroon, Agreement for the first of these three-year Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African extensions (ie to 31 December 2003) Republic, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of The year 2000 is of special significance to Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tome TTO, since it is the focus year for its Year 2000 CEFDHAC, which was initially sponsored by Objective, under which all ITTo member the world Conservation Union (IUCN is countries committed themselves to producing to governments, NGOs, the private sect open their exports of tropical timber from sustainably research institutions and development agencies managed forests(see The Year 2000 Objective, he third CEFDHAC meeting, held in p. 117). ITTo has played a catalytic role in Bujumbura, Burundi from 5 to 7 June 2000, supporting efforts in sustainable forest focused on governance and joint management of management through its criteria and indicators, central African moist forest ecosystems. Also which broke new ground when they were discussed were the Strategic Action Plan for the published in 1992. They have stimulated Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological atives by producer countries at the national Diversity in the Congo Basin, which is being level as well as at the level of forest formulated: the need for further work to set in management units and have provided a focus place a timber certification system for the Cong for Itto-funded fieldwork. In its upcoming basin -based on the standards, criteria and work, ITTO will put emphasis on updating its indicators of ITTo and the African Timber Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Organization(ATO); and various options for Management of Natural Tropical Forests; institutionalizing CEFDHAC preparing manuals on forest management The Yaounde Declaration was adopted by the promoting increased efficiency in utilization and Summit of Central African Heads of State on the processing: encouraging further processing and Conservation and Sustainable Management of improving market access Tropical Forests, held in March 1999 in Yaounde, Cameroon. The following countries participated RECENT INITIATIVES in the summit: Cameroon, Chad, the Congo, OF REGIONAL GROUPS Equatorial Guinea and gabon. among other Central Africa: Conference on the central activities and aims the yaounde declaration calls African Moist Forest Ecosystems and for action towards harmonized national policies the yaounde declaration participation of the rural population and the Two initiatives are under way to enhance private sector in decisions on forests peration in forestry among central African transboundary protected areas; the fight against nations: the Conference on the Central African poaching and other unsustainable exploitation; Moist Forest Ecosystems(CEFDHAC),a financial systems that support sustainable forest multistakeholder, governmental and non management;and international cooperation. An governmental process; and the Yaounde pert meeting was held in September 2000 to
110 STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2001 International Tropical Timber Agreement The International Tropical Timber Agreement 1994 came into force on 1 January 1997. It remains in force for four years (up to 31 December 2000), with the possibility of two three-year extensions, effectively giving it a tenyear life span. A mid-term review of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and its operations was carried out in early 2000, and members decided to extend the Agreement for the first of these three-year extensions (i.e. to 31 December 2003). The year 2000 is of special significance to ITTO, since it is the focus year for its Year 2000 Objective, under which all ITTO member countries committed themselves to producing their exports of tropical timber from sustainably managed forests (see The Year 2000 Objective, p. 117). ITTO has played a catalytic role in supporting efforts in sustainable forest management through its criteria and indicators, which broke new ground when they were published in 1992. They have stimulated initiatives by producer countries at the national level as well as at the level of forest management units and have provided a focus for ITTO-funded fieldwork. In its upcoming work, ITTO will put emphasis on updating its Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests; preparing manuals on forest management; promoting increased efficiency in utilization and processing; encouraging further processing; and improving market access. RECENT INITIATIVES OF REGIONAL GROUPS Central Africa: Conference on the Central African Moist Forest Ecosystems and the Yaoundé Declaration Two initiatives are under way to enhance cooperation in forestry among central African nations: the Conference on the Central African Moist Forest Ecosystems (CEFDHAC), a multistakeholder, governmental and nongovernmental process; and the Yaoundé Declaration and its related efforts, which are essentially governmental. These two processes are mutually reinforcing and have the potential to coalesce in the future. CEFDHAC, also known as the Brazzaville Process, was launched in May 1996 as a forum for consultation, information exchange and the strengthening of subregional cooperation in matters concerning central African forests. The member countries are Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tomé and Principe. CEFDHAC, which was initially sponsored by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), is open to governments, NGOs, the private sector, research institutions and development agencies. The third CEFDHAC meeting, held in Bujumbura, Burundi from 5 to 7 June 2000, focused on governance and joint management of central African moist forest ecosystems. Also discussed were the Strategic Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in the Congo Basin, which is being formulated; the need for further work to set in place a timber certification system for the Congo basin – based on the standards, criteria and indicators of ITTO and the African Timber Organization (ATO); and various options for institutionalizing CEFDHAC. The Yaoundé Declaration was adopted by the Summit of Central African Heads of State on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests, held in March 1999 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The following countries participated in the summit: Cameroon, Chad, the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Among other activities and aims, the Yaoundé Declaration calls for action towards harmonized national policies; participation of the rural population and the private sector in decisions on forests; transboundary protected areas; the fight against poaching and other unsustainable exploitation; financial systems that support sustainable forest management; and international cooperation. An expert meeting was held in September 2000 to
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 111 for the first ministerial conference The Central American Council for forests scheduled for December 2000, to follow up on and Protected Areas the Yaounde summit The Central American Council for Forests and Protected Areas(CCAB-AP) is an advisory body Southern African Development Community of the Central American Commission on The Southern African Development Community Environment and Development(CCAD). It is (SADC) 2 provides a framework for cooperation in responsible for the implementation of CCAD forestry among its 14 member nations through its policies and strategies on the sustainable use of Forestry Sector Policy and Development Strategy forest resources and the conservation of biological of 1997. Issues addressed in the communitys diversity. CCAB-AP was established in Forestry Sector Policy are reflected in the Sadc to the Central American Agreement on Forestry Programme of Action, which is aimed at Biodiversity, which was signed by the presidents developing and implementing regional projects. of the region in 1993. It is composed of the heads The six programme components include: forestry of forest departments and national parks training and education; improved knowledge of departments of the seven Central America the forest resource base(e.g. forest resoure countries(Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador assessment and monitoring); forestry research; Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) forest resources management(of"indigenous, or CCAB-AP's main strategic working areas at natural, forests and plantations); forest industries, present are: research and inventory of species, markets and marketing: and environmental conomically sustainable uses of forests and protection wildlife the valorization of environmental services. Major regional projects that are operational the strengthening and consolidation of Central cover the management of indigenous forest America's national systems of protected areas: th ecosystems(through the promotion of local economic valuation of forests; the promotion of communities participation); the strengthening of comanagement within protected forests and seed centres in many member countries; and wildlife areas; studies on the agricultural frontier support to forestry training. and on agroforestry, and the promotion of a Current sadc initiatives include regional strategy for the prevention of forest fires. the establishment of the Forest Resource Data The Council is currently emphasizing activities Bank related to the economic valuation of environmental the development of a Forestry Protocol for benefits of Central America's forest ecosystems, SADO including carbon sequestration. In collaboration support to a regional programme on ith FAO and the Tropical Agriculture Research biological diversity. and Higher Education Center(CATIE), it has the development of a regional project for the trained more than 80 professionals from the region domestication and marketing of indigenous in related fields. The conservation of biological diversity is currently an important concern for Coordination and support for SADC's forest CCAB-AP; together with its member countries, it activities are provided by the Forestry Sector is supporting an important project on the Meso- Technical Coordination Unit, based in Malawis American Biological Corridor, which will Department of Forestry. strengthen linkages between national biologica diversity activities and forest programmes Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation The Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation TCA 12See Part IV, p. 134, for more information about SADC. fosters collaboration among member countries
PART III INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE AND INITIATIVES RELATED TO FORESTS 111 prepare for the first ministerial conference, scheduled for December 2000, to follow up on the Yaoundé Summit. Southern African Development Community The Southern African Development Community (SADC)12 provides a framework for cooperation in forestry among its 14 member nations through its Forestry Sector Policy and Development Strategy of 1997. Issues addressed in the Community’s Forestry Sector Policy are reflected in the SADC Forestry Programme of Action, which is aimed at developing and implementing regional projects. The six programme components include: forestry training and education; improved knowledge of the forest resource base (e.g. forest resources assessment and monitoring); forestry research; forest resources management (of “indigenous”, or natural, forests and plantations); forest industries, markets and marketing; and environmental protection. Major regional projects that are operational cover the management of indigenous forest ecosystems (through the promotion of local communities’ participation); the strengthening of seed centres in many member countries; and support to forestry training. Current SADC initiatives include: • the establishment of the Forest Resource Data Bank; • the development of a Forestry Protocol for SADC; • support to a regional programme on biological diversity; • the development of a regional project for the domestication and marketing of indigenous fruit-trees. Coordination and support for SADC’s forest activities are provided by the Forestry Sector Technical Coordination Unit, based in Malawi’s Department of Forestry. The Central American Council for Forests and Protected Areas The Central American Council for Forests and Protected Areas (CCAB-AP) is an advisory body of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD). It is responsible for the implementation of CCAD policies and strategies on the sustainable use of forest resources and the conservation of biological diversity. CCAB-AP was established in response to the Central American Agreement on Biodiversity, which was signed by the presidents of the region in 1993. It is composed of the heads of forest departments and national parks departments of the seven Central American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua). CCAB-AP’s main strategic working areas at present are: research and inventory of species; economically sustainable uses of forests and wildlife; the valorization of environmental services; the strengthening and consolidation of Central America’s national systems of protected areas; the economic valuation of forests; the promotion of comanagement within protected forests and wildlife areas; studies on the agricultural frontier and on agroforestry; and the promotion of a regional strategy for the prevention of forest fires. The Council is currently emphasizing activities related to the economic valuation of environmental benefits of Central America’s forest ecosystems, including carbon sequestration. In collaboration with FAO and the Tropical Agriculture Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), it has trained more than 80 professionals from the region in related fields. The conservation of biological diversity is currently an important concern for CCAB-AP; together with its member countries, it is supporting an important project on the MesoAmerican Biological Corridor, which will strengthen linkages between national biological diversity activities and forest programmes. Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation The Treaty for Amazonian Co-operation (TCA) fosters collaboration among member countries 12 See Part IV, p. 134, for more information about SADC
