Metsä2013 - Joint Session of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) European Forestry Commission

Metsä2013 reconvened on Thursday morning to consider the draft integrated programme of work 2014-2017 for the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC), including the Terms of Reference for subsidiary bodies (Joint Working Party for Forest Statistics, Economics and Management and Teams of Specialists). There was a lengthy discussion on reference to the frequency with which the COFFI and the ECF would meet jointly. In the end, delegates agreed to a proposal to the effect that "the two bodies are encouraged to continue holding joint meetings in line with established practice and with the aim to further strengthen cooperation and exploit synergies."

In the afternoon, delegates discussed the FAO Sustainable Forest Management Toolbox, guidelines for national forest monitoring, a guidance tool for managing wildland fires, and the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests. They also addressed preparation for the next World Forestry Congress, and recommendations to the FAO Regional Conference for Europe and to the FAO Committee on Forestry. Both the COFFI and the EFC elected new Bureau members and decided on the timing and venues of their next sessions. It was decided that the next joint COFFI/EFC meeting will take place in Switzerland in 2015.

In the evening, Metsä2013 reconvened to adopt the draft Market Statement and the meeting report. Co-Chair Heikki Granholm (Finland) closed the meeting late in the evening.

On Wednesday, Metsä2013 delegates convened in the morning in a session chaired by Metsä2013 Co-Chair Filipchuk to consider FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC) matters, namely: follow-up to the decisions of the 36th EFC session; recent activities of the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia; recent activities of the FAO Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions, Silva Mediterranea; review of the mandate and modus operandi of the EFC Working Party on Management of Mountain Watersheds; and the FAO strategic Framework, the FAO Strategic Evaluation, and implementation of recommendations.

The following session, chaired by Co-Chair Granholm, considered the UNECE Committee on Forests and Forest Industries matters, namely: matters arising from the 65th session of the UNECE; matters arising from the 70th session of the Committee; and the ECE biennial evaluation plan and programme of work 2014-2015. In a parallel session, a roundtable chaired by Nina Dobrzynska, Ministry of Environment, Poland, discussed measuring and communicating the contribution of the forest sector to a green economy.

In an afternoon plenary session, delegates considered the outcome of the 10th session of UN Forum on Forests and implications for the UNECE region. Under the agenda items on Joint Committee/Commission matters, delegates first heard briefings on the New EU Forest strategy, recent developments in Forest Europe and the International Negotiating Committee for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe. At the end of the afternoon, delegates adopted the Rovaniemi Action Plan for the Forest Sector in a Green Economy.

Metsä2013 reconvened today in Rovaniemi, Finland. In the morning, delegates adopted the agenda without amendment.

Market discussions
In the morning, Metsä2013 Co-Chair Heikki Granholm (Finland) chaired a roundtable discussion on the latest information regarding trends and trade of forest products in the UNECE region. Florian Steierer, UNECE Secretariat, introduced the discussion, noting that its outcomes will feed into the draft Market Statement that will emanate from Metsä2013 (ECE/TIM/2013/3−FO:EFC/2013/3).

Antti Koskinen, senior consultant at Pöyry Management Consulting, presented key findings of the European part of the UNECE/FAO Forest Products Annual Market Review 2012-2013. He said structural changes are needed to sustain a healthy forest industry. Ramazan Bali, Harvesting and Marketing Department, Turkish General Directorate of Forestry, elaborated on developments in the forest market in Turkey.

Vladimir Styazhkin, Russian State Research Center of the Timber Industry Complex, presented the Russian market overview, noting large regional differences in the situation of the forest industry. Gordon Culbertson, Forest2Markets Inc., presented the North American market overview. He highlighted regional differences and trends among the main producing areas in the US and Canada.

Engaging the private sector
In the afternoon, Gordon Culbertson, Forest2Market Inc., moderated a roundtable on engaging the private sector, which addressed the following question: “What are the opportunities and challenges in the forest products industries that policy makers and others should be aware of to maintain a thriving forest industry?”

Eight speakers, representing various major private players in the international forestry arena, presented their experiences and views regarding this question. They discussed various innovative approaches to, among other things, forest ownership, construction and architecture, and adding value to forest products along the value chain. They concluded that “everything that is made of oil can be made of wood,” and called for improved and open communication with policy makers to ensure that standards and regulations are in line with the needs and realities of the private sector.

FAO global activities of relevance to the meeting
In the afternoon, in a session chaired by Metsä2013 Co-Chair Andrey Filipchuk (Russian Federation), Christophe Besacier, FAO, presented the progress on the preparation of the State and Conservation of the World's Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) and the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Forest Genetic Resources (ECE/TIM/2013/Inf.4−FO:EFC/2013/Inf.4 and Appendix).

Delegates also discussed the role of forests in ensuring food security. Peter Csóka, FAO, presented highlights from the International Conference on Forests for Food Security and Nutrition, held in May 2013 at FAO Headquarters. He underscored the need for: securing access for forest-dependent communities to forest resources; cross-sectoral policy approaches; more integrated land use planning; and restoration of degraded lands.

The joint session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry and the FAO European Forestry Commission opened today at Hotel Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, Finland. The event is called Metsä2013, with "metsä" meaning forest in Finnish, and is organized in parallel with the second European Forest Week. The session is expected to focus on market discussions, on engaging the private sector and on measuring the green economy in forests.

Opening Ceremony
Juha Ojala, Deputy Chair of the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, chaired the Metsä2013 Opening Ceremony. He stressed that the objective of the joint session is to share a long-term vision of Europe's future forests and sustainable forest management for a green economy.

After enjoying a performance of traditional Sàmi music, participants heard addresses by forestry student Vera Chapchikova, winner of the 10th International Junior Forest Contest, and by Santa Claus, who resides near the city of Rovaniemi. Participants also heard presentations by: Esko Lotvonen, Mayor of Rovaniemi; Sven Alkalaj, Executive Secretary of UNECE; and Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Head of the FAO Forestry Department.

A panel discussion was held, chaired by Juha Ojala and Metsä2013 Co-Chairs Heikki Granholm, Director of the Natural Resources Department, Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Andrey Filipchuk, Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Forestry Agency. The panel discussion started with a keynote presentation by Jürgen Blaser, Bern University of Applied Science and Swiss Global Forest Advisor. He elaborated on 300 years of scientific forestry and its implications for the future. Delegates then heard panel presentations by: Alexander Panfilov, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Forestry Agency; Magnus Kindbom, Swedish State Secretary of Rural Affairs; and Janusz Zaleski, Polish Deputy Minister of Environment.

Co-Chair Granholm then introduced a new UNECE/FAO film named "European forest innovation: charting a path towards a green economy", which highlighted Finland’s innovative approach towards using wood as a construction material. Switzerland announced its offer to host the third European Forest Week in 2015.

Later in the evening, participants gathered for a public, outdoor opening ceremony at the Museum Arktikum in Rovaniemi.