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AGENDA 21, CHAPTER 11



COMBATING DEFORESTATION






NOTE:	This is a final, advanced version of a chapter of Agenda 21, as 
adopted by the Plenary in Rio de Janeiro, on June 14, 1992.  
This document will be further edited, translated into the 
official languages, and published by the United Nations for the 
General Assembly this autumn.





........../2




INTRODUCTION

11.1.	This chapter refers to the four programme areas resulting from the 
negotiations held at the fourth session of the Preparatory Committee.


PROGRAMME AREAS

		A.  Sustaining the multiple roles and functions of all types
		    of forests, forest lands and woodlands

Basis for action

11.2.	There are major weaknesses in the policies, methods and mechanisms 
adopted to support and develop the multiple ecological, economic, social 
and cultural roles of trees, forests and forest lands.  Many developed 
countries are confronted with the effects of air pollution and fire damage 
on their forests.  More effective measures and approaches are often 
required at the national level to improve and harmonize policy formulation, 
planning and programming; legislative measures and instruments; development 
patterns; participation of the general public, especially women and 
indigenous people; involvement of youth; roles of the private sector, local 
organizations, non-governmental organizations and cooperatives; development 
of technical and multidisciplinary skills and quality of human resources; 
forestry extension and public education; research capability and support; 
administrative structures and mechanisms, including intersectoral 
coordination, decentralization and responsibility and incentive systems; 
and dissemination of information and public relations.  This is especially 
important to ensure a rational and holistic approach to the sustainable and 
environmentally sound development of forests.  The need for securing the 
multiple roles of forests and forest lands through adequate and appropriate 
institutional strengthening has been repeatedly emphasized in many of the 
reports, decisions and recommendations of FAO, ITTO, UNEP, the World Bank, 
IUCN and other organizations.

Objectives

11.3.	The objectives of this programme area are as follows:  

	(a)	To strengthen forest-related national institutions, to enhance the 
scope and effectiveness of activities related to the management, 
conservation and sustainable development of forests, and to effectively 
ensure the sustainable utilization and production of forests' goods and 
services in both the developed and the developing countries; by the year 
2000, to strengthen the capacities and capabilities of national 
institutions to enable them to acquire the necessary knowledge for the 
protection and conservation of forests, as well as to expand their scope 
and, correspondingly, enhance the effectiveness of programmes and 
activities related to the management and development of forests;
	(b)	To strengthen and improve human, technical and professional 
skills, as well as expertise and capabilities to effectively formulate and 
implement policies, plans, programmes, research and projects on management, 
conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and 
forest-based resources, and forest lands inclusive, as well as other areas 
from which forest benefits can be derived.


Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

11.4.	Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional, 
subregional and international organizations, should, where necessary, 
enhance institutional capability to promote the multiple roles and 
functions of all types of forests and vegetation inclusive of other related 
lands and forest-based resources in supporting sustainable development and 
environmental conservation in all sectors.  This should be done, wherever 
possible and necessary, by strengthening and/or modifying the existing 
structures and arrangements, and by improving cooperation and coordination 
of their respective roles.  Some of the major activities in this regard are 
as follows:

	(a)	Rationalizing and strengthening administrative structures and 
mechanisms, including provision of adequate levels of staff and allocation 
of responsibilities, decentralization of decision-making, provision of 
infrastructural facilities and equipment, intersectoral coordination and an 
effective system of communication;

	(b)	Promoting participation of the private sector, labour unions, 
rural cooperatives, local communities, indigenous people, youth, women, 
user groups and non-governmental organizations in forest-related 
activities, and access to information and training programmes within the 
national context;

	(c)	Reviewing and, if necessary, revising measures and programmes 
relevant to all types of forests and vegetation, inclusive of other related 
lands and forest-based resources, and relating them to other land uses and 
development policies and legislation; promoting adequate legislation and 
other measures as a basis against uncontrolled conversion to other types of 
land uses;

	(d)	Developing and implementing plans and programmes, including 
definition of national and, if necessary, regional and subregional goals, 
programmes and criteria for their implementation and subsequent 
improvement;

	(e)	Establishing, developing and sustaining an effective system of 
forest extension and public education to ensure better awareness, 
appreciation and management of forests with regard to the multiple roles 
and values of trees, forests and forest lands;

	(f)	Establishing and/or strengthening institutions for forest 
education and training, as well as forestry industries, for developing an 
adequate cadre of trained and skilled staff at the professional, technical 
and vocational levels, with emphasis on youth and women;

	(g)	Establishing and strengthening capabilities for research related 
to the different aspects of forests and forest products, for example, on 
the sustainable management of forests, research on biodiversity, on the 
effects of air-borne pollutants, on traditional uses of forest resources by 
local populations and indigenous people, and on improving market returns 
and other non-market values from the management of forests.

(b)	Data and information

11.5.	Governments at the appropriate level, with the assistance and 
cooperation of international, regional, subregional and bilateral agencies, 
where relevant, should develop adequate databases and baseline information 
necessary for planning and programme evaluation.  Some of the more specific 
activities include the following:

	(a)	Collecting, compiling and regularly updating and distributing 
information on land classification and land use, including data on forest 
cover, areas suitable for afforestation, endangered species, ecological 
values, traditional/indigenous land use values, biomass and productivity, 
correlating demographic, socio-economic and forest resources information at 
the micro- and macro-levels, and undertaking periodic analyses of forest 
programmes;

	(b)	Establishing linkages with other data systems and sources relevant 
to supporting forest management, conservation and development, while 
further developing or reinforcing existing systems such as geographic 
information systems, as appropriate;

	(c)	Creating mechanisms to ensure public access to this information.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.6.	Governments at the appropriate level and institutions should 
cooperate in the provision of expertise and other support and the promotion 
of international research efforts, in particular with a view to enhancing 
transfer of technology and specialized training and ensuring access to 
experiences and research results.  There is need for strengthening 
coordination and improving the performance of existing forest-related 
international organizations in providing technical cooperation and support 
to interested countries for the management, conservation and sustainable 
development of forests.


Means of implementation

(a)	Financial and cost evaluation

11.7.	The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total 
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to 
be about $2.5 billion, including about $860 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

11.8.	The planning, research and training activities specified will form 
the scientific and technological means for implementing the programme, as 
well as its output.  The systems, methodology and know-how generated by the 
programme will help improve efficiency. Some of the specific steps involved 
should include:

	(a)	Analysing achievements, constraints and social issues for 
supporting programme formulation and implementation;

	(b)	Analysing research problems and research needs, research planning 
and implementation of specific research projects;

	(c)	Assessing needs for human resources, skill development and 
training;

	(d)	Developing, testing and applying appropriate methodologies/ 
approaches in implementing forest programmes and plans.


(c)	Human resource development

11.9.	The specific components of forest education and training will 
effectively contribute to human resource development.  These include:

	(a)	Launching of graduate and post-graduate degree, specialization and 
research programmes;

	(b)	Strengthening of pre-service, in-service and extension service 
training programmes at the technical and vocational levels, including 
training of trainers/teachers, and developing curriculum and teaching 
materials/methods;

	(c)	Special training for staff of national forest-related 
organizations in aspects such as project formulation, evaluation and 
periodical evaluations.

(d)	Capacity-building

11.10.	This programme area is specifically concerned with capacity-building 
in the forest sector and all programme activities specified contribute to 
that end.  In building new and strengthened capacities, full advantage 
should be taken of the existing systems and experience.


         B.	Enhancing the protection, sustainable management and 
conservation of all forests, and the greening of degraded areas, 
through forest rehabilitation afforestation, reforestation and 
other rehabilitative means

Basis for action

11.11.	Forests world wide have been and are being threatened by 
uncontrolled degradation and conversion to other types of land uses, 
influenced by increasing human needs; agricultural expansion; and 
environmentally harmful mismanagement, including, for example, lack of 
adequate forest-fire control and anti-poaching measures, unsustainable 
commercial logging, overgrazing and unregulated browsing, harmful effects 
of airborne pollutants, economic incentives and other measures taken by 
other sectors of the economy.  The impacts of loss and degradation of 
forests are in the form of soil erosion; loss of biological diversity, 
damage to wildlife habitats and degradation of watershed areas, 
deterioration of the quality of life and reduction of the options for 
development.

11.12.	The present situation calls for urgent and consistent action for 
conserving and sustaining forest resources.  The greening of suitable 
areas, in all its component activities, is an effective way of increasing 
public awareness and participation in protecting and managing forest 
resources.  It should include the consideration of land use and tenure 
patterns and local needs and should spell out and clarify the specific 
objectives of the different types of greening activities.

Objectives

11.13.	The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

	(a)	To maintain existing forests through conservation and management, 
and sustain and expand areas under forest and tree cover, in appropriate 
areas of both developed and developing countries, through the conservation 
of natural forests, protection, forest rehabilitation, regeneration, 
afforestation, reforestation and tree planting, with a view to maintaining 
or restoring the ecological balance and expanding the contribution of 
forests to human needs and welfare;

	(b)	To prepare and implement, as appropriate, national forestry action 
programmes and/or plans for the management, conservation and sustainable 
development of forests. These programmes and/or plans should be integrated 
with other land uses.  In this context, country-driven national forestry 
action programmes and/or plans under the Tropical Forestry Action Programme 
are currently being implemented in more than 80 countries, with the support 
of the international community;

	(c)	To ensure sustainable management and, where appropriate, 
conservation of existing and future forest resources;

	(d)	To maintain and increase the ecological, biological, climatic, 
socio-cultural and economic contributions of forest resources;

	(e)	To facilitate and support the effective implementation of the non-
legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global 
consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of 
all types of forests, adopted by the United Nations Conference on 
Environment and Development, and on the basis of the implementation of 
these principles to consider the need for and the feasibility of all kinds 
of appropriate internationally agreed arrangements to promote international 
cooperation on forest management, conservation and sustainable development 
of all types of forests including afforestation, reforestation, and 
rehabilitation.



Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

11.14.	Governments should recognize the importance of categorizing forests, 
within the framework of long-term forest conservation and management 
policies, into different forest types and setting up sustainable units in 
every region/watershed with a view to securing the conservation of forests.  
Governments, with the participation of the private sector, non-governmental 
organizations, local community groups, indigenous people, women, local 
government units and the public at large, should act to maintain and expand 
the existing vegetative cover wherever ecologically, socially and 
economically feasible, through technical cooperation and other forms of 
support.  Major activities to be considered include:

	(a)	Ensuring the sustainable management of all forest ecosystems and 
woodlands, through improved proper planning, management and timely 
implementation of silvicultural operations, including inventory and 
relevant research, as well as rehabilitation of degraded natural forests to 
restore productivity and environmental contributions, giving particular 
attention to human needs for economic and ecological services, wood-based 
energy, agroforestry, non-timber forest products and services, watershed 
and soil protection, wildlife management, and forest genetic resources;

	(b)	Establishing, expanding and managing, as appropriate to each 
national context, protected area systems, which includes systems of 
conservation units for their environmental, social and spiritual functions 
and values, including conservation of forests in representative ecological 
systems and landscapes, primary old-growth forests, conservation and 
management of wildlife, nomination of World Heritage Sites under the World 
Heritage Convention, as appropriate, conservation of genetic resources, 
involving in/situ and ex situ measures and undertaking supportive measures 
to ensure sustainable utilization of biological resources and conservation 
of biological diversity and the traditional forest habitats of indigenous 
people, forest dwellers and local communities;

	(c)	Undertaking and promoting buffer and transition zone management;

	(d)	Carrying out revegetation in appropriate mountain areas, 
highlands, bare lands, degraded farm lands, arid and semi-arid lands and 
coastal areas for combating desertification and preventing erosion problems 
and for other protective functions and national programmes for 
rehabilitation of degraded lands, including community forestry, social 
forestry, agroforestry and silvipasture, while also taking into account the 
role of forests as national carbon reservoirs and sinks;

	(e)	Developing industrial and non-industrial planted forests in order 
to support and promote national ecologically sound afforestation and 
reforestation/regeneration programmes in suitable sites, including 
upgrading of existing planted forests of both industrial and non-industrial 
and commercial purpose to increase their contribution to human needs and to 
offset pressure on primary/old growth forests.  Measures should be taken to 
promote and provide intermediate yields and to improve the rate of returns 
on investments in planted forests, through interplanting and underplanting 
valuable crops;

	(f)	Developing/strengthening a national programme and/or master plan 
for planted forests as a priority, indicating, inter alia, the location, 
scope and species, and specifying areas of existing planted forests 
requiring rehabilitation, taking into account the economic aspect for 
future planted forest development, giving emphasis to native species;

	(g)	Increasing the protection of forests from pollutants, fire, pests 
and diseases and other human-made interferences such as forest poaching, 
mining and unmitigated shifting cultivation, the uncontrolled introduction 
of exotic plant and animal species, as well as developing and accelerating 
research for a better understanding of problems relating to the management 
and regeneration of all types of forests; strengthening and/or establishing 
appropriate measures to assess and/or check inter-border movement of plants 
and related materials;

	(h)	Stimulating development of urban forestry for the greening of 
urban, peri-urban and rural human settlements for amenity, recreation and 
production purposes and for protecting trees and groves;

	(i)	Launching or improving opportunities for participation of all 
people, including youth, women, indigenous people and local communities in 
the formulation, development and implementation of forest-related 
programmes and other activities, taking due account of the local needs and 
cultural values;

	(j)	Limiting and aiming to halt destructive shifting cultivation by 
addressing the underlying social and ecological causes.

(b)	Data and information
11.15.	Management-related activities should involve collection, compilation 
and analysis of data/information, including baseline surveys.  Some of the 
specific activities include the following:

	(a)	Carrying out surveys and developing and implementing land-use 
plans for appropriate greening/ planting/ afforestation/ reforestation/ 
forest rehabilitation;

	(b)	Consolidating and updating land-use and forest inventory and 
management information for management and land-use planning of wood and 
non-wood resources, including data on shifting cultivation and other agents 
of forest destruction;

	(c)	Consolidating information on genetic resources and related 
bio-technology, including surveys and studies, as necessary;

	(d)	Carrying out surveys and research on local/indigenous knowledge of 
trees and forests and their uses to improve the planning and implementation 
of sustainable forest management;

	(e)	Compiling and analysing research data on species/site interaction 
of species used in planted forests and assessing the potential impact on 
forests of climatic change, as well as effects of forests on climate, and 
initiating in-depth studies on the carbon cycle relating to different 
forest types to provide scientific advice and technical support;

	(f)	Establishing linkages with other data/information sources that 
relate to sustainable management and use of forests and improving access to 
data and information;

	(g)	Developing and intensifying research to improve knowledge and 
understanding of problems and natural mechanisms related to the management 
and rehabilitation of forests, including research on fauna and its 
interrelation with forests;

	(h)	Consolidating information on forest conditions and 
site-influencing immissions and emissions.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.16.	The greening of appropriate areas is a task of global importance and 
impact.  The international and regional community should provide technical 
cooperation and other means for this programme area.  Specific activities 
of an international nature, in support of national efforts, should include 
the following:

	(a)	Increasing cooperative actions to reduce pollutants and 
trans-boundary impacts affecting the health of trees and forests and 
conservation of representative ecosystems;

	(b)	Coordinating regional and subregional research on carbon 
sequestration, air pollution and other environmental issues;
	(c)	Documenting and exchanging information/experience for the benefit 
of countries with similar problems and prospects;

	(d)	Strengthening the coordination and improving the capacity and 
ability of intergovernmental organizations such as FAO, ITTO, UNEP and 
UNESCO to provide technical support for the management, conservation and 
sustainable development of forests, including support for the negotiation 
of the International Tropical Timber Agreement of 1983, due in 1992/93.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financial and cost evaluation

11.17.	The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total 
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to 
be about $10 billion, including about $3.7 billion from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

11.18.	Data analysis, planning, research, transfer/development of 
technology and/or training activities form an integral part of the 
programme activities, providing the scientific and technological means of 
implementation.  National institutions should:

	(a)	Develop feasibility studies and operational planning related to 
major forest activities;

	(b)	Develop and apply environmentally sound technology relevant to the 
various activities listed;

	(c)	Increase action related to genetic improvement and application of 
biotechnology for improving productivity and tolerance to environmental 
stress and including, for example, tree breeding, seed technology, seed 
procurement networks, germ-plasm banks, "in vitro" techniques, and in situ 
and ex situ conservation.

(c)	Human resource development

11.19.	Essential means for effectively implementing the activities include 
training and development of appropriate skills, working facilities and 
conditions, public motivation and awareness.  Specific activities include:

	(a)	Providing specialized training in planning, management, 
environmental conservation, biotechnology etc;
	(b)	Establishing demonstration areas to serve as models and training 
facilities;

	(c)	Supporting local organizations, communities, non-governmental 
organizations and private land owners, in particular women, youth, farmers 
and indigenous people/shifting cultivators, through extension and provision 
of inputs and training.

(d)	Capacity-building

11.20.	National Governments, the private sector, local 
organizations/communities, indigenous people, labour unions and 
non-governmental organizations should develop capacities, duly supported by 
relevant international organizations, to implement the programme 
activities.  Such capacities should be developed and strengthened in 
harmony with the programme activities.  Capacity-building activities 
include policy and legal frameworks, national institution building, human 
resource development, development of research and technology, development 
of infrastructure, enhancement of public awareness etc.


         C.  Promoting efficient utilization and assessment to recover
             the full valuation of the goods and services provided by
             forests, forest lands and woodlands

Basis for action

11.21.	The vast potential of forests and forest lands as a major resource 
for development is not yet fully realized.  The improved management of 
forests can increase the production of goods and services and, in 
particular, the yield of wood and non-wood forest products, thus helping to 
generate additional employment and income, additional value through 
processing and trade of forest products, increased contribution to foreign 
exchange earnings, and increased return on investment.  Forest resources, 
being renewable, can be sustainably managed in a manner that is compatible 
with environmental conservation.  The implications of the harvesting of 
forest resources for the other values of the forest should be taken fully 
into consideration in the development of forest policies.  It is also 
possible to increase the value of forests through non-damaging uses such as 
eco-tourism and the managed supply of genetic materials.  Concerted action 
is needed in order to increase people's perception of the value of forests 
and of the benefits they provide.  The survival of forests and their 
continued contribution to human welfare depends to a great extent on 
succeeding in this endeavour.

Objectives

11.22.	The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

	(a)	To improve recognition of the social, economic and ecological 
values of trees, forests and forest lands, including the consequences of 
the damage caused by the lack of forests; to promote methodologies with a 
view to incorporating social, economic and ecological values of trees, 
forests and forest lands into the national economic accounting systems; to 
ensure their sustainable management in a way that is consistent with land 
use, environmental considerations and development needs;

	(b)	To promote efficient, rational and sustainable utilization of all 
types of forests and vegetation inclusive of other related lands and 
forest-based resources, through the development of efficient forest-based 
processing industries, value-adding secondary processing and trade in 
forest products, based on sustainably managed forest resources and in 
accordance with plans that integrate all wood and non-wood values of 
forests;

	(c)	To promote more efficient and sustainable use of forests and trees 
for fuelwood and energy supplies;

	(d)	To promote more comprehensive use and economic contributions of 
forest areas by incorporating eco-tourism into forest management and 
planning.

Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

11.23.	Governments, with the support of the private sector, scientific 
institutions, indigenous people, non-governmental organizations, 
cooperatives and entrepreneurs, where appropriate, should undertake the 
following activities, properly coordinated at the national level, with 
financial and technical cooperation from international organizations:

	(a)	Carrying out detailed investment studies, supply-demand 
harmonization and environmental impact analysis to rationalize and improve 
trees and forest utilization and to develop and establish appropriate 
incentive schemes and regulatory measures, including tenurial arrangements, 
to provide a favourable investment climate and promote better management;

	(b)	Formulating scientifically sound criteria and guidelines for the 
management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of 
forests;

	(c)	Improving environmentally sound methods and practices of forest 
harvesting, which are ecologically sound and economically viable, including 
planning and management, improved use of equipment, storage and 
transportation to reduce and, if possible, maximize the use of waste and 
improve value of both wood and non-wood forest products;

	(d)	Promoting the better use and development of natural forests and 
woodlands, including planted forests, wherever possible, through 
appropriate and environmentally sound and economically viable activities, 
including silvicultural practices and management of other plant and animal 
species;

	(e)	Promoting and supporting the downstream processing of forest 
products to increase retained value and other benefits;

	(f)	Promoting/popularizing non-wood forest products and other forms of 
forest resources, apart from fuelwood (e.g., medicinal plants, dyes, 
fibres, gums, resins, fodder, cultural products, rattan, bamboo) through 
programmes and social forestry/participatory forest activities, including 
research on their processing and uses;

	(g)	Developing, expanding and/or improving the effectiveness and 
efficiency of forest-based processing industries, both wood and non-wood 
based, involving such aspects as efficient conversion technology and 
improved sustainable utilization of harvesting and process residues; 
promoting underutilized species in natural forests through research, 
demonstration and commercialization; promoting value-adding secondary 
processing for improved employment, income and retained value; and 
promoting/improving markets for, and trade in, forest products through 
relevant institutions, policies and facilities;

	(h)	Promoting and supporting the management of wildlife, as well as 
eco-tourism, including farming, and encouraging and supporting the 
husbandry and cultivation of wild species, for improved rural income and 
employment, ensuring economic and social benefits without harmful 
ecological impacts;

	(i)	Promoting appropriate small-scale forest-based enterprises for 
supporting rural development and local entrepreneurship;

	(j)	Improving and promoting methodologies for a comprehensive 
assessment that will capture the full value of forests, with a view to 
including that value in the market-based pricing structure of wood and 
non-wood based products;

	(k)	Harmonizing sustainable development of forests with national 
development needs and trade policies that are compatible with the 
ecologically sound use of forest resources, using, for example, the ITTO 
Guidelines for Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests;

	(l)	Developing, adopting and strengthening national programmes for 
accounting the economic and non-economic value of forests.




(b)	Data and information

11.24.	The objectives and management-related activities presuppose data and 
information analysis, feasibility studies, market surveys and review of 
technological information.  Some of the relevant activities include:

	(a)	Undertaking analysis of supply and demand for forest products and 
services, to ensure efficiency in their utilization, wherever necessary;

	(b)	Carrying out investment analysis and feasibility studies, 
including environmental impact assessment, for establishing forest-based 
processing enterprises;

	(c)	Conducting research on the properties of currently underutilized 
species for their promotion and commercialization;

	(d)	Supporting market surveys of forest products for trade promotion 
and intelligence;

	(e)	Facilitating the provision of adequate technological information 
as a measure to promote better utilization of forest resources.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.25.	Cooperation and assistance of international organizations and the 
international community in technology transfer, specialization and 
promotion of fair terms of trade, without resorting to unilateral 
restrictions and/or bans on forest products contrary to GATT and other 
multilateral trade agreements, the application of appropriate market 
mechanisms and incentives will help in addressing global environmental 
concerns.  Strengthening the coordination and performance of existing 
international organizations, in particular FAO, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNEP, 
ITC/UNCTAD/GATT, ITTO and ILO, for providing technical assistance and 
guidance in this programme area is another specific activity.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financial and cost evaluation

11.26.	The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total 
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to 
be about $18 billion, including about $880 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

11.27.	The programme activities presuppose major research efforts and 
studies, as well as improvement of technology.  This should be coordinated 
by national Governments, in collaboration with and supported by relevant 
international organizations and institutions. Some of the specific 
components include:

	(a)	Research on properties of wood and non-wood products and their 
uses, to promote improved utilization;

	(b)	Development and application of environmentally sound and 
less-polluting technology for forest utilization;

	(c)	Models and techniques of outlook analysis and development 
planning;

	(d)	Scientific investigations on the development and utilization of 
non-timber forest products;

	(e)	Appropriate methodologies to comprehensively assess the value of 
forests.

(c)	Human resource development

11.28.	The success and effectiveness of the programme area depends on the 
availability of skilled personnel.  Specialized training is an important 
factor in this regard.  New emphasis should be given to the incorporation 
of women.  Human resource development for programme implementation, in 
quantitative and qualitative terms, should include:

	(a)	Developing required specialized skills to implement the programme, 
including establishing special training facilities at all levels;

	(b)	Introducing/strengthening refresher training courses, including 
fellowships and study tours, to update skills and technological know-how 
and improve productivity;

	(c)	Strengthening capability for research, planning, economic 
analysis, periodical evaluations and evaluation, relevant to improved 
utilization of forest resources;

	(d)	Promoting efficiency and capability of private and cooperative 
sectors through provision of facilities and incentives.

(d)	Capacity-building

11.29.	Capacity-building, including strengthening of existing capacity, is 
implicit in the programme activities.  Improving administration, policy and 
plans, national institutions, human resources, research and scientific 
capabilities, technology development, and periodical evaluations and 
evaluation are important components of capacity-building.


    D.	Establishing and/or strengthening capacities for the planning,  
assessment and systematic observations of forests and related programmes, 
projects and activities, including commercial trade and processes

Basis for action

11.30.	Assessment and systematic observations are essential components of 
long-term planning, for evaluating effects, quantitatively and 
qualitatively, and for rectifying inadequacies.  This mechanism, however, 
is one of the often neglected aspects of forest resources, management, 
conservation and development.  In many cases, even the basic information 
related to the area and type of forests, existing potential and volume of 
harvest is lacking.  In many developing countries, there is a lack of 
structures and mechanisms to carry out these functions.  There is an urgent 
need to rectify this situation for a better understanding of the role and 
importance of forests and to realistically plan for their effective 
conservation, management, regeneration, and sustainable development.

Objectives

11.31.	The objectives of this programme area are as follows:

	(a)	To strengthen or establish systems for the assessment and 
systematic observations of forests and forest lands with a view to 
assessing the impacts of programmes, projects and activities on the quality 
and extent of forest resources, land available for afforestation, and land 
tenure, and to integrate the systems in a continuing process of research 
and in-depth analysis, while ensuring necessary modifications and 
improvements for planning and decision-making.  Specific emphasis should be 
given to the participation of rural people in these processes;

	(b)	To provide economists, planners, decision makers and local 
communities with sound and adequate updated information on forests and 
forest land resources.


Activities

(a)	Management-related activities

11.32.	Governments and institutions, in collaboration, where necessary, 
with appropriate international agencies and organizations, universities and 
non-governmental organizations, should undertake assessments and systematic 
observations of forests and related programmes and processes with a view to 
their continuous improvement.  This should be linked to related activities 
of research and management and, wherever possible, be built upon existing 
systems.  Major activities to be considered are:

	(a)	Assessing and carrying out systematic observations of the 
quantitative and qualitative situation and changes of forest cover and 
forest resources endowments, including land classification, land use and 
updates of its status, at the appropriate national level, and linking this 
activity, as appropriate, with planning as a basis for policy and programme 
formulation;

	(b)	Establishing national assessment and systematic observation 
systems and evaluation of programmes and processes, including establishment 
of definitions, standards, norms and intercalibration methods, and the 
capability for initiating corrective actions as well as improving the 
formulation and implementation of programmes and projects;

	(c)	Making estimates of impacts of activities affecting forestry 
developments and conservation proposals, in terms of key variables such as 
developmental goals, benefits and costs, contributions of forests to other 
sectors, community welfare, environmental conditions and biological 
diversity and their impacts at the local, regional and global levels, where 
appropriate, to assess the changing technological and financial needs of 
countries;

	(d)	Developing national systems of forest resource assessment and 
valuation, including necessary research and data analysis, which account 
for, where possible, the full range of wood and non-wood forest products 
and services, and incorporating results in plans and strategies and, where 
feasible, in national systems of accounts and planning;

	(e)	Establishing necessary intersectoral and programme linkages, 
including improved access to information, in order to support a holistic 
approach to planning and programming.

(b)	Data and information

11.33.	Reliable data and information are vital to this programme area.  
National Governments, in collaboration, where necessary, with relevant 
international organizations, should, as appropriate, undertake to improve 
data and information continuously and to ensure its exchange.  Major 
activities to be considered are as follows:

	(a)	Collecting, consolidating and exchanging existing information and 
establishing baseline information on aspects relevant to this programme 
area;

	(b)	Harmonizing the methodologies for programmes involving data and 
information activities to ensure accuracy and consistency;

	(c)	Undertaking special surveys on, for example, land capability and 
suitability for afforestation action;

	(d)	Enhancing research support and improving access to and exchange of 
research results.

(c)	International and regional cooperation and coordination

11.34.	The international community should extend to the Governments 
concerned necessary technical and financial support for implementing this 
programme area, including consideration of the following activities:

	(a)	Establishing conceptual framework and formulating acceptable 
criteria, norms and definitions for systematic observations and assessment 
of forest resources;

	(b)	Establishing and strengthening national institutional coordination 
mechanisms for forest assessment and systematic observation activities;

	(c)	Strengthening existing regional and global networks for the 
exchange of relevant information;

	(d)	Strengthening the capacity and ability and improving the 
performance of existing international organizations, such as the 
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), FAO, 
ITTO, UNEP, UNESCO and UNIDO, to provide technical support and guidance in 
this programme area.

Means of implementation

(a)	Financial and cost evaluation

11.35.	The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total 
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to 
be about $750 million, including about $230 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.


11.36.	Accelerating development consists of implementing the 
management-related and data/information activities cited above.  Activities 
related to global environmental issues are those that will contribute to 
global information for assessing/evaluating/addressing environmental issues 
on a world-wide basis.  Strengthening the capacity of international 
institutions consists of enhancing the technical staff and the executing 
capacity of several international organizations in order to meet the 
requirements of countries.

(b)	Scientific and technological means

11.37.	Assessment and systematic observation activities involve major 
research efforts, statistical modelling and technological innovation.  
These have been internalized into the management-related activities.  The 
activities in turn will improve the technological and scientific content of 
assessment and periodical evaluations.  Some of the specific scientific and 
technological components included under these activities are:

	(a)	Developing technical, ecological and economic methods and models 
related to periodical evaluations and evaluation;

	(b)	Developing data systems, data processing and statistical 
modelling;

	(c)	Remote sensing and ground surveys;

	(d)	Developing geographic information systems;

	(e)	Assessing and improving technology.

11.38.	These are to be linked and harmonized with similar activities and 
components in the other programme areas.

(c)	Human resource development

11.39.	The programme activities foresee the need and include provision for 
human resource development in terms of specialization (e.g., the use of 
remote-sensing, mapping and statistical modelling), training, technology 
transfer, fellowships and field demonstrations.

(d)	Capacity-building

11.40.	National Governments, in collaboration with appropriate 
international organizations and institutions, should develop the necessary 
capacity for implementing this programme area.  This should be harmonized 
with capacity-building for other programme areas. Capacity-building should 
cover such aspects as policies, public administration, national-level 
institutions, human resource and skill development, research capability, 
technology development, information systems, programme evaluation, 
intersectoral coordination and international cooperation.

(e)  Funding of international and regional cooperation.

11.41.	The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total 
annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to 
be about $750 million, including about $530 million from the international 
community on grant or concessional terms.  These are indicative and order 
of magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments.  
Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, 
will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes 
Governments decide upon for implementation.

A21: Combating Deforestation 
(Ch.11), Advance CopyPage 1




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