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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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Pressure on UNFF Delegates to Reach Consensus

On Tuesday, 24 April, the seventh session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF7) convened to discuss the non-legally binding instrument (NLBI) on all types of forests, and the Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW) for the period 2007-2015. Delegates convened in two working groups: Working Group I addressed the NLBI; and Working Group II discussed the MYPOW. In the evening, a contact group convened to discuss the NLBI.

Above: Co-Chairs and Secretariat conferred during Working Group II.


Tuesday, 24 April
Working Group I - NLBI


Modesto Fernández, Cuba, said national measures should be subject to countries' needs and national priorities.

Cambodia supported addressing corruption in the forest sector as well as forest-related sectors.

Mauritania supported addressing the seven thematic elements for SFM in a section on national measures.

Sibylle Vermont, Switzerland, expressed a preference for reference to the use of management tools such as environmental impact assessments.

Felicity Buchanan, New Zealand, urged ensuring SFM is given priority in national development plans and poverty reduction strategies.

Ecuador supported integrating the forest sector into national decision-making processes.
Working Group II - MYPOW


Costa Rica opposed text focusing on special needs of LFCCs, preferring reference to all types of forests.

Stefanie von Scheliha, Germany for the EU, expressed interest in harnessing the political visibility of the heads of the Rio Conventions.

Tasso Rezende de Azevedo, Brazil, said sessions should provide for unforeseen emerging issues, such as disease outbreak.

Uruguay said a mid-term analysis at UNFF9 was essential to monitoring progress.

Gustavo Ainchil, Argentina, cautioned against duplication of or contradiction with existing ECOSOC mandates on monitoring, assessment and reporting.

Mick George, Australia, cautioned against addressing emerging issues too far in advance.
Side Event : Sustainable Forest Management and Financing Mechanisms

The United Nations NGO Committee on Sustainable Development hosted a lunchtime side event featuring Ricardo Ulate, Ministry of Environment, Costa Rica, and Charles Barber, US Agency for International Development.
Around the Forum

UNFF Director Pekka Patosaari conferred with Abdellah Benmellouk, Morocco.

During a break, Michael Buck, National Association of State Foresters, chatted with Children and Youth delegate Erica Smith.

Secretariat staff conferred after the day's 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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