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CMS Seventh Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests
United Nations Headquarters, New York | 16-27 April 2007
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Seventh Session of UN Forum on Forests in New York

On Monday, 16 April, the Seventh Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF7) convened at UN Headquarters in New York to discuss the non-legally binding instrument (NLBI) on all types of forests, and the Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW) for the period 2008-2015. In a morning plenary session, delegates heard opening statements and addressed organizational matters. In the afternoon, the UNFF Secretariat introduced the agenda items on the NLBI, the MYPOW and enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination.

Above: Hans Hoogeveen (Netherlands) was elected as Chair.


Monday, 16 April
Opening of the Session


Left: UNFF7 Chairman Hans Hoogeveen called for delegates to overcome differences, and said national and global interests were complementary rather than mutually exclsuive.

Right: Pekka Patosaari, Director, UNFF Secretariat, said the Forum has increasingly become an integral part of the broader development agenda.

Country Statements

Speaking for the EU, Matthias Schwoerer, Germany, called for the NLBI text to be shortened, and its political appeal and authority enhanced.

Pakistan emphasized the NLBI's role in supporting local initiatives, integrating SFM and poverty reduction strategies, and promoting financial incentives and the use of non-timber forest products.

Gabon, speaking for the African Group, reported on a successful regional preparatory meeting, which allowed for the identification of regional priorities and a common African position.

Pembe Didace Bokiaga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, noted the need for adequate financial means and capacity building, and supported the establishment of a global forest fund.

Oleg Shamanov, Russian Federation, said the MYPOW should include intergovernmental meetings organized by regional UN commissions to improve UNFF's effectiveness and strengthen interaction with regional and subregional components.

Tony Bartlett, Australia, said the NLBI should further commitment on action towards achieving the Global Objectives on Forests.

Colombia, on behalf of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, opposed the establishment of quantifiable goals.

India opposed international peer review of SFM implementation, and suggested having regional meetings every two years.

Luis Ernesto Barrera Garavito, Guatemala, underlined the need for transparent and fair markets, and said the NLBI should consider new trends in forestry such as bioenergy.

Yukihiro Takeya, Japan, prioritized periodic monitoring and reporting in each country and region, and said the international arrangement on forests (IAF) should address illegal logging.

Modesto Fernández, Cuba, stressed the importance of means of implementation for developing countries, and new and additional financing.

Qu Guilin, China, said negotiations at UNFF7 should, inter alia, adhere to the Forest Principles, Rio Declaration and Johannesburg Declaration.

Arne Ivar Sletnes, Norway, said UNFF sessions should focus on in-session workshops and seminars, rather than negotiations, and questioned the need for intergovernmental preparatory meetings.

Sibylle Vermont, Switzerland, called for more participation from CPF members and Major Groups, and offered Swiss chocolate to reward parties who develop a short and concise NLBI.

Mara Angélica Murillo Correa, Mexico, said the NLBI should include benchmarks or indicators to measure implementation, while respecting national sovereignty.

Stephanie Caswell, US, said the NLBI should provide added value, reflecting both national and international commitments.

Jan Heino, Chairman, Collaborative Partnership on Forests, stressed the group's need for adequate resources to fulfill its potential.

Speaking for Major Groups, Kanchan Lama, WOCAN, noted that weakness in policy implementation has had the unintended consequences of marginalizing vulnerable groups.
Left: Fiji emphasized international support for SFM implementation in Small Island Developing States, particularly ODA and capacity building.

Right: The Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe called for collaboration between policy bodies at all levels and integration with other sectors.
Afternoon Session

M.S. Kaban, Minister of Forestry, Indonesia, reported on the Country-led Initiative on the MYPOW, held in Indonesia in February 2007.

Jorge Illueca, UNFF Secretariat, introduced the revised composite draft text for developing an NLBI.

Mahendra Joshi, UNFF Secretariat, introduced the Report of the Secretary-General on the MYPOW and the suggested draft text for the MYPOW.
Left: Antonio Carlos do Prado, UNFF Secretariat, introduced its note on enhanced cooperation and policy and programme coordination.

Right: Ghazal Badiozamani, UNFF Secretariat, presented the CPF Framework 2007.
Around the Forum

EU delegates conferred before the morning session.

Related Links

United Nations Forum on Forests
UNFF 7
UNFF-7 Provisional Agenda

Related IISD Coverage of Forest Meetings

18th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry, 13-16 March 2007, Rome
CLI in Support of the UNFF: Multi-Year Programme of Work, 13-16 February 2007, Bali
UNFF Ad hoc Expert Group Meeting, 11-15 December 2006, New York
Sixth Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF-6), 13-24 February 2006, New York
CLI in Support of the UNFF: Scoping a Future Agreement on Forests, 16-18 November 2005, Berlin
Fifth Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF-5), 16-27 May 2005, New York
CLI in Support of the UNFF: Future International Arrangement on Forests, 25-28 January 2005, Guadalajara
UNFF Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting (AHEG-PARAM) 7-10 September 2004, New York
Fourth Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF-4), 3-14 May 2004, Geneva

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