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AGENDA ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The first item of business was to elect two Co-Chairs, in compliance with the Rules of Procedure of functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council, as provided in document E/CN.17/IPF/1995/1. Mr. N. R. Krishnan (India) and Dr. Manuel Rodriguez (Colombia) were elected as Co-Chairs from the G-77, with Krishna serving as Co-Chair for the first two sessions and Rodriguez serving as Co-Chair for the final two sessions. Sir Martin Holdgate (UK) was elected as Co-Chair from developed countries.

In his opening statement, Holdgate stated that the IPF should forge a common understanding and propose solutions for forest management problems. He emphasized the need to work expeditiously and recognized that the Panel must address the following: the need to take account of related activities in relevant bodies; the need for assistance in convening intersessional meetings to address issues not covered during the three scheduled sessions; and the need for UN Secretariat support to ensure that the proposed work schedule will be met.

Krishnan stated that complicating factors come into play as the opposing goals of preserving global biodiversity and promoting strong trade in forest products are attempted at the international level. He noted that while the issues are not simple, they are not intractable. He added that because a large body of information about forests has been accumulated, IGOs and NGOs should assist the Panel in discharging its task.