What is ICRIS: ICRIS, the International Consultation on Research and Information Systems in Forestry, is an initiative of the Austrian and Indonesian governments in cooperation with CIFOR, FAO and IUFRO to examine ways and means to implement research support and to provide background information for international forest processes in the future. The critical element within this theme is the interface between research and the user community, with particular emphasis on the role of research in policy formulation. Discussions during the Consultation will explore and suggest mechanisms to improve: (1) research priority setting, (2) forest research networks and information systems, (3) capacity building, (4) funding mobilization, and (5) information technologies. To give impetus to the advancement of forestry research by the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF), ICRIS will be held from 7-10 September 1998 in Gmunden, Austria. The Consultation will be followed by a field trip on 11 September. Gmunden is situated in the lake district of Upper Austria, 230 km west of Vienna. Under each of the five major topics (listed above) there will be 5 discussion groups which focus on each topic, with differing perspectives: (a) increasing emphasis on environmental and biodiversity values of forests, (b) diversification and involvement of stakeholders, (c) the role of transnational and private investment in forestry research, (d) developments in frontier areas of science, and (e) meeting the technology needs of poor and marginalized peoples and increasing the involvement of households and communities in tree growing and other enterprises (see attached discussion matrix). Relationship with IPF and IFF: In the Co-Chairmen's Report of its fourth session, February 1997, the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) proposed to develop, as soon as possible, mechanisms for forest research and information issues as described above. At its first meeting, held in New York, in October 1997, the International Forum on Forests (IFF) accepted a proposal from Austria and Indonesia to co-sponsor an intersessional workshop, a consultation on research and information needs targeted towards sustainable forest management. The documents and recommendations resulting from the ICRIS Consultation will be submitted to the Third Meeting of the IFF, scheduled for May 1999 in Geneva. Expected Results: At the end of the ICRIS Consultation, a consensus paper and/or a chairman's summary will be prepared for presentation to the IFF. The outcome of the Consultation should be a signal both to the research community and to policy-makers. The objective of the Consultation is not to come up with an academic study, but with workable proposals for mechanisms to strengthen forestry research that will get agreement and support from both communities. The implementation of the recommendations is particularly important. It is the objective of the hosts and meeting organizers that the Consultation will develop into a continuing advisory process. The Consultation should illustrate the significance of forest research for the sustainable management of forests and clarify its value to the political community in order to ensure that future international decision-making on forests will be science-based. Research networks such as IUFRO, CIFOR and FAO should be strengthened to provide this scientific input and should also be used to address policy issues. Participants of the ICRIS Consultation: Participants will be personally invited by the governments of Austria and Indonesia. The nature of the ICRIS Consultation will entail a discussion forum, allowing only limited participation. Invitees will attend the Consultation to provide their personal scientific and policy expertise. A balanced representation of north and south, science, private sector, stakeholders, governmental and intergovernmental bodies, international experts etc. not exceeding 80 persons has been targeted. More detailed information describing the Programme as well as information on practical arrangements and registration is attached and/or will be published and distributed to invitees after they have agreed to attend. Participation will be sponsored for those invitees from developing countries or countries with economies in transition. Partial sponsorship can be granted for other reasonable cases upon request. Organization: The Ministerial hosts of the Austrian-Indonesian Initiative, ICRIS, and the cooperating intergovernmental organizations (CIFOR, FAO) have entrusted the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations with the preparation and organization of the Consultation. Contact Persons: Mr. Heinrich Schmutzenhofer, Secretary ICRIS Secretariat: IUFRO - Secretariat Ms. Brigitte Burger A-1131 Vienna, Austria Tel.: +43-1-877 01 51 Tel.: +43-1-877 0151 ext. 11 Fax: +43-1-877 93 55 Fax: +43-1-877 9355 E-mail: hschmutz@forvie.ac.at E-mail: burger@forvie.ac.at Government Hosts Mr. Iskandar Untung Tel.: +62-21-570 1114 Bureau of International Cooperation and Investment Tel.: +62-82-106 1534 Ministry of Forestry, Office of the Secretary-General Fax: +62-21-861 1194 Gednung Manggala Wanabakti Fax: +62-21-572 0210 Block VII Lt. 4 Jakarta 10270, Indonesia E-mail: untung.is@dephut.cbn.net.id Mr. Ingwald Gschwandtl Tel.: +43-1-21323-7307 Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Fax: +43-1-21323-7216 Ferdinandstr. 4 E-mail: ingwald.gschwandtl@bmlf.gv.at A-1021 Vienna, Austria 2