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.

Sixth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-6)

13-24 February 2006 | UN Headquarters, New York

Highlights from Thursday, 23 February 2006

On Thursday, 23 February, the sixth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-6) continued with negotiations on the international arrangement on forests (IAF). In the morning, Working Group I (WGI) discussed the preamble, general mandate, voluntary instrument and legal framework. WGII discussed means of implementation and working modalities. In the afternoon, delegates convened in an informal plenary session to discuss the preamble and goals/strategic objectives. In the evening, delegates convened in contact groups on legal framework, working modalities and reporting and strengthening political commitment.

Canada stated that if the Forum cannot agree to achieve the global goals, we will have failed the world's forests
Co-Chair Franz Perrez (Switzerland)
Brazil suggested compromise text replacing "deforestation" with "loss of forest cover"
 
Argentina insisted on retaining reference to environmental services
Pekka Patosaari, Head of UNFF Secretariat and Chair Bahemuka
 
Austria said that it was more important to achieve a common understanding than to debate whether to use global "goals" or "strategic objectives"
China supported deleting reference to environmental services in the preamble
Working Group II participants consider the on-screen text regarding modalities
 
The EU huddled in a corner after plenary was adjourned

  up to top

  Any irregularities on this page? Please mail the Digital Editor
| Linkages home | Visit IISDnet | Send e-mail to ENB |
© 2006, IISD. All rights reserved.