The XIII World Forestry Congress, co-organized by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Argentina, took place from 18 to 23 October 2009 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Themed “Forests in Development: A Vital Balance,” 7,100 participants from international organizations, governments, academia, private sector and civil society, representing 160 nations, came together to discuss forest issues at this event. Participants convened in daily plenaries; two roundtables on forests and energy, and forests and climate change; over 60 thematic parallel technical sessions; seven poster sessions and numerous other side events. The daily thematic sessions focused on the themes of:

• Forests and biodiversity;
• Producing for development;
• Forests in the service of people;
• Caring for our forests;
• Development opportunities;
• Organizing forest development; and
• People and forests in harmony.

Major outcomes were a declaration from participants outlining nine findings and 27 strategic actions through which the “vital balance between forests and development can be improved;” and a set of recommendations to the UNFCCC calling for urgent action on major issues, including inter alia the: promotion of sustainable forest management; need to pursue climate change mitigation and adaptation concurrently; need for improved monitoring and assessment techniques: and need for improved inter-sectoral cooperation.