See more coverage of this event on the main IISD ENB website

We have launched a new website to better share our reports of global environmental negotiations.

As well as current coverage of new negotiations, you can find our original reports from this event by clicking here.

Fifth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests
United Nations Headquarters, New York | 16-27 May 2005 
     

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB
Daily Web
Coverage		 English French Spanish
HTM PDF
TXT
HTM PDF
TXT
HTM PDF
TXT
Curtain
Raiser
16 May
17 May
18 May
19 May
20 May
23 May
24 May
25 May
26 May
27 May &
Summary

 



To view PDF files, you will need the free Adobe Reader

 

UNFF commences deliberations on Chair's draft text


On Thursday morning, delegates met in concurrent Working Groups. Working Group I met to consider the Chair's draft decision on the future international arrangement on forests. Working Group II met to discuss draft elements of the ministerial declaration as well as the issue of finance relating to the international arrangement. Regional group consultation continued throughout the day. Above, ENB's Andrew Baldwin discusses the metaphysics of forests with Paolo Vicentini of Italy.

Thursday, 19 May
Working Group I


Modesto Fernandez Cuba urged the Secretariat to follow UN procedures and provide translated versions of the Chair's draft text in languages other than English.
Tony Bartlett of Australia supported the G77/China's request for additional time to examine the draft text.
Jan McAlpine of the United States said it is important that all regional groups be prepared before deliberation of the text begins.
Working Group II


Speaking for the G-77/China, Deidre Mills of Jamaica requested additional time for group consultations.
Sem Bilal Werzeg of Mauritania suggested that initiatives aimed at combating deforestation be focused on underlying causes.
Speaking for the EU, Frank Wolter of Luxembourg suggested that the Chair's draft ministerial declaration should convey the importance of forests in pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Mara Angélica Murillo Correa of Mexico favored quantifiable global goals associated with clear time frames and self-defined national targets.
David Rhodes of New Zealand suggested the inclusion of realistic and measurable global goals capable of demonstrating the potential of forest to contribute to the social agenda.
Ralph Roberts of Canada supported the inclusion of global goals, but called for addressing deforestation separately from the issue of forest degradation.
Around UNFF 5

Members of the Chinese delegation confer in Working Group II.

Light and shadow in the corridors.
"Take my picture!" said Nigeria's Lilian Ajayi.
Even the view out the windows is nice.
Additional photos of Tuesday's ceremonial tree planting by 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai have now been posted.

Relevant weblinks

United Nations Forum on Forests
UNFF 5 Provisional Agenda
UNFF 5 Organization of Work (PDF)
UNFF 5 Background Documents
UNFF 5 Official Documents

ENB's coverage of recent Forestry sessions

FAO Committee on Forestry: 14-19 March 2005
ITTC-37: 13-18 December 2004
UNFF Experts Group: 7-10 September 2004
ITTC-36: 20-23 July 2004
UNFF4: 3-14 May 2004