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Trends in Forest Cover and Sustainable Forest Management and Activities Undertaken by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. Patrick B. Durst Senior Forestry Officer FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. International Symposium on Sustainable Forest Management
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Trends in Forest Cover and Sustainable Forest Management and Activities Undertaken by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission Patrick B. Durst Senior Forestry Officer FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific International Symposium on Sustainable Forest Management 25-27 September 2008, Beijing, China
Structure of Presentation Two distinct parts: • Trends in forest cover and sustainable forest management - Global - Asia-Pacific 2. Activities undertaken by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC)
Part 1 Trends in forest cover and sustainable forest management Many data problems….. ….but, broad trends are clear. Overall story is grim…. ….but, a few beacons for hope.
Highlights and lowlights of forest cover change How much forest loss?Global total forest area ** 3,952,025,000 ha. Percentage of global forest lost in past 25 years ** 5.4 percent Africa and South America forest loss in past 25 years ** ~12 percent Global plantation area **~150,000,000 ha NATURAL forest loss in past 25 years??? ~375,000,000 ha.
Forest area change in Asia-Pacific Net gain in forests 2000-2005 = 3 million hectares BUT…. The sum total of reported national forest losses = 18.5 million ha.
Seven thematic elements of sustainable forest management • Extent of forest resources • Biological diversity • Forest health and vitality • Productive functions of forest resources • Protective functions of forest resources • Socio-economic functions • Legal, policy and institutional frameworks
Progress towards sustainable forest management Global Forest Resources Assessment http://www.fao.org/forestry/fra2005/en/ Global – “…many good signs and positive trends, but many negative trends remain.” Asia-Pacific – “…mixed progress over the last 15 years.”
Part 2 Activities undertaken by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC)
Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) • Established in 1949 • One of six regional forestry commissions supported by FAO • Comprised of 33 member countries • Serves as a forum for member countries to: • share experiences • advise FAO on regional forestry priorities • initiate joint action on key forestry issues • 22nd Session convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, 21-26 April 2008 • Next session to be hosted by China in 2010
APFC’s major activity themes • Promoting improvement in forest management for multiple benefits • Strengthening economics, policies and institutions • Fostering greater involvement of people in forestry
Promoting improvement in forest management for multiple benefits • Codes of practice for forest harvesting and forest management • Promotion of forest rehabilitation, including assisted natural regeneration (ANR) • Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) Model forests Agroforestry TEAKNET Mangrove rehabilitation Edible forest insects Planted forests Fire management
Strengthening economics, policies and institutions • Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study • Policy studies • Logging bans • Reinventing forestry agencies • Plantation incentives • Constraints to private sector investment • Multi-stakeholder processes in forestry • Executive Education - Forest Policy Short Course • “Asia-Pacific Forest Policy Initiative”
Fostering greater involvement of people in forestry International conferences: • Community Forestry Forums • Capturing opportunities in forest harvesting and wood processing for the benefit of the poor • Sustainable Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation: Roles of Traditional Forest-related Knowledge • Policy study: “Poverty Reduction and Forests: Tenure, Market and Policy Reforms” • “Forest faces” initiative
Fostering greater involvement of people in forestry • Jointly organized conferences, symposia, and workshops • Shared Secretariat services and use of existing APFC communication networks • Collaborative regional policy studies on topics of mutual interest • Capacity-building initiatives in key areas of priority • Collaborative information sharing and networking activities • Joint sessions of APFC and APFNet