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WORKING GROUP I

NATIONAL FOREST AND LAND-USE PLANS: The paragraph on national forest programmes (NFPs) was amended with language on NFPs as “important policy frameworks” with a “wide range of approaches...to be applied to national and subnational levels.” Paragraphs on valuation, intersectoral NFPs and cooperation were agreed.

UNDERLYING CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION: CANADA inserted text regarding transboundary pollution into a paragraph on international causes. The US replaced “must not” with “should not” delay action in the subparagraph on the diagnostic framework. In the subparagraph on forest cover and in the related action proposal paragraph, plantations as an “important element of SFM” and “as a complement to natural forests” replaced “by taking pressure off natural forests.” The US, supported by COLOMBIA, replaced “finance” with “support” in text on convening a global workshop.

TRADITIONAL FOREST-RELATED KNOWLEDGE: The US recommended substituting “indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles” for references to “indigenous people, forest dwellers, forest owners and local communities” in subparagraphs on identifying TFRK, participation, enhancing capacity, and digital mapping. The EU urged retaining forest owners. A contact group recommended “forest- related indigenous people and other forest-dependent people embodying traditional lifestyles,” which was accepted. The ALLIANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES disagreed with categorizing indigenous peoples. The UKRAINE added rehabilitation to the subparagraph on implementing forest programmes. Delegates incorporated a suggestion by the ALLIANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES that the integrity and cultural survival of forest-dependent peoples is essential.

The G-77/CHINA inserted language on experience of practical approaches to credit, rewards and benefits-sharing in text on technical guidelines on TFRK application. In a subparagraph on enhancing capacity, delegates removed “partnership.” CANADA and the G-77/CHINA added “including, if appropriate” before a reference to new instruments and mechanisms in the subparagraph on incorporating TFRK.

Delegates, at BRAZIL’s suggestion, requested a compilation of legislation on TFRK and benefits-sharing from the UN Secretary General, in collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secretariat. A contact group led by AUSTRALIA proposed adding relevant international bodies, especially the CBD, to collaborate with indigenous and forest-dependent people in the subparagraph on forest biodiversity. CANADA added a subparagraph including text on decisions made in the third Conference of Parties (COP) of the CBD, particularly on Article 8(j). The G-77/CHINA added language on illegal international trafficking to a subparagraph on TFRK and intellectual property rights (IPR), which CANADA amended to refer to CBD work.

SWITZERLAND added a subparagraph encouraging pilot studies of national IPR and TFRK regimes. In the subparagraph on policy and legal frameworks, the US added “and/or other protection regimes” after IPR. The EU changed “international and national” to “appropriate” levels, and the G-77/CHINA added “equitable sharing of benefits.” With GABON’s support, the ALLIANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ language on the “free and informed consent of holders of TFRK” was added to the subparagraph on ways to inventory TFRK. All subparagraphs including one linking traditional knowledge and national SFM systems were agreed.

ECOSYSTEMS AFFECTED BY DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT: To a subparagraph on national and international action, the US added dryland programmes and JAPAN added reference to an integrated approach in adopting SFM. ECUADOR extended language urging establishment of protected areas to all areas affected by drought, and the US added a reference to dry subhumid areas. TURKEY added extension systems to text urging support for education, training and research. In a subparagraph on strengthening partnerships, SWITZERLAND substituted “sustainable management and regeneration of natural vegetation” for action on desertification and drought. To a subparagraph inviting the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) to research dryland trees, the G-77/CHINA added water management and delegates substituted plants for trees. All of the subparagraphs, including those on past experiences and international cooperation, were agreed.

AIR POLLUTION: The G-77/CHINA added language on strengthening international cooperation in subparagraphs on preventative approaches and pollution impacts. “Binding” was deleted from the subparagraph on binding agreements.

COUNTRIES WITH LOW FOREST COVER: The US added “workable definitions” of low forest cover to the FAO subparagraph. Many delegations rejected the US proposal to delete a reference to national forest estate requirements in the clause on goods and services. The EU added text on native species and avoiding natural ecosystem replacement in the clause on plantations. The G-77/CHINA inserted language on reforestation and interested parties in the clause on natural regeneration and added a reference to other international agreements in the subparagraph on protected areas. The clause on capacity-building was broadened to include “subnational levels.”

The subparagraph on greening the world was agreed after insertion of US language on expanding forest cover. The subparagraph on forest partnerships was deleted. The G- 77/CHINA added text on the “provision of financial resources” in the subparagraph on international cooperation.

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