ENB @ UNFF (UN Headquarters, New York, June 11-22 2001)

United Nations Forum on Forests
First Substantive Meeting
UN Headquarters, New York, USA 11-22 June 2001

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| Mon 11 | Tue 12 | Wed 13 | Thu 14 | Fri 15 |
| Mon 18 | Tue 19 | Wed 20 | Thu 21 | Fri 22 |

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| Lun 11 | Mar 12 | Mer 13 | Jeu 14 | Ven 15 |
| Lun 18 | Mar 19 | Mer 20 | Jeu 21 | Ven 22 |

Update for Tuesday, 19 June

Delegates met in two working groups to negotiate draft decisions on the MYPOW and the PoA. A contact group on cross-cutting issues and thematic focus and categories in the MYPOW met in the afternoon and evening, and Working Group 1 met in an evening session to continue negotiations on the MYPOW. Left photo: The dias of the PoA Working Group.

WORKING GROUP 1

MYPOW: Thematic Focus and Categories: Delegates agreed to text reaffirming that the MYPOW would address the principal functions of the UNFF. Chair Øistad proposed compromise text reaffirming that the MYPOW should reflect the three pillars of SFM, the tenets of sustainable development and the criteria for SFM, as well as the cross-cutting issues of finance, technology transfer, capacity building and trade.

The US proposed, as a compromise, text deciding that the MYPOW should address the three pillars of SFM within the context of the IPF/IFF proposals for action, including consideration of cross-cutting issues. The section was referred to a contact group.

The G-77/CHINA opposed a proposal by the EU, US and NEW ZEALAND to delete this section. Delegates supported a US-proposed compromise, with amendments, to "decide that the MYPOW establishes the organizing framework for the UNFF, and the PoA makes this framework operational." The G-77/CHINA urged adding that the PoA will have targets, timetables and financial provisions for implementation, to which the US added "as appropriate." Delegates agreed to merge and bracket the US and G-77/China proposals.

Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting (MAR):

Regarding information on the state of forests, delegates (Right) agreed to a paragraph emphasizing that the latest reports on forests should be easily accessible from existing databases but did not agree whether to specify criteria and indicators processes, with the G-77/CHINA and NIGERIA opposing and CANADA, the EU, NEW ZEALAND and the US supporting the reference.

Delegates discussed US-proposed text, which "decides that the UNFF's mandate to monitor, assess and report comprises three different areas: by countries, of their implementation; by the UNFF, of its own progress; and for global forests." Left photo: Members of the US delegation reading the proposed text.

Delegates accepted G-77/China-proposed text calling on CPF member organizations to make information easily accessible on financial resources, environmentally sound technology and assistance to support national capacity building for forest-related information collection and reporting in developing countries, but the EU and US reserved the right to revisit it once the CPF decision is agreed.

The US and G-77/CHINA recommended moving EU-proposed text deciding that the MAR issue be considered by an expert group established at UNFF-1 to the section on ad hoc expert groups, but the EU (Right: Sweden on behalf of EU) opposed. Delegates agreed to revisit it when discussing the expert groups section.


Regarding NEW ZEALAND's proposal calling on CPF member organizations to promote and support the use of C&I as a basis for country reporting, the EU and US preferred stressing the importance of using C&I as a basis for reporting on SFM. The G-77/CHINA recommended further consultation on C&I
WORKING GROUP 2:
PLAN OF ACTION (PoA): The EU proposed text inviting ministers to endorse the PoA at UNFF-2, and acknowledging countries' responsibilities for implementing proposals directed at the national level.

The G-77/CHINA proposed text inviting countries to establish national focal points. The EU suggested that national focal points "guide and coordinate implementation and assessment of the IPF/IFF proposals for action." The US opposed, noting complications with making focal points responsible for implementation.

Regarding text encouraging countries to systematically assess and analyze the proposals for action, AUSTRALIA proposed adding "for implementation relevant to their circumstances and capabilities."

CANADA, with INDONESIA (Right), stressed that the PoA's purpose is to provide guidance to the UNFF, and objected to focusing on country action.

Regarding a paragraph deciding that MAR on progress in implementation be based on voluntary national reporting, JAPAN (Right) proposed adding MAR on progress toward SFM.

CONTACT GROUP:
In a contact group facilitated by Rob Rauson (Australia) (Right), delegates discussed the format for the table of the suggested MYPOW schedule, including topics to be discussed at the remaining UNFF sessions, and how cross-cutting issues would be handled.

Delegates reiterated that cross-cutting issues would be discussed in relation to the thematic elements for each session, and that sessions should focus on elements similar in substance for manageability and to maximize the use of experts

After informal discussions, the US proposed a table grouping thematic elements for the remaining UNFF sessions, and reflecting categories on means of implementation and common agenda items for all sessions. Delegates agreed that the US proposal addressed the primary concerns but needed further work.

SIDE EVENT: Programme on Forests (PROFOR)
PROFOR, WORLD BANK AND FAO SIDE EVENT AT UNFF PROFOR co-hosted a side event to the UNFF with the World Bank, FAO and the NFP Facility at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 19 June. Odin Knudsen, World Bank, provided an update of progress toward finalizing the Bank's new Forest Strategy, noting the Bank's intentions to host PROFOR in the context of the Strategy. He explained that the Strategy focuses on poverty alleviation, sustainable development and global values as well as knowledge generation, cross-sectoral impacts on forests and issues relating to governance. Michael Martin, Director of Forest Policy and Planning Division of the FAO, briefed participants on the National Forest Programme Facility (NFP Facility), highlighting it as a knowledge sharing platform that will be accessible to all interested parties and the Facility's twining arrangement with PROFOR. He described the NFP Facility as a response to the IFF and the need for concrete action on the ground. Christian Mersmann, Director, PROFOR, overviewed PROFOR's transition to its second phase and described the new programme which will support NFP processes in 16 client countries and serve as a knowledge creation center, especially in regards to PROFOR's key thematic areas: livelihoods, governance and financing SFM. In response to questions, the various speakers stressed the importance of collaboration and building on synergies in order for the NFP Facility and PROFOR to meet countries' needs and to reach the goal of NFP support and implementation on the ground.



Above Photos clockwise: Christian Mersmann of PROFOR moderated the event, Michael Martin of FAO, Odin Knudsen of WorldBank and James Ball (NFP Facility)