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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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Forest Forum Delegates Running Out of Time

On Thursday, 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 (WGI) addressed a revised Chair's text on the NLBI and Working Group II (WGII) discussed the MYPOW. Contact groups met to discuss remaining contentious issues on both the NLBI and MYPOW. Consultations continued into the night.

Above: African Group delegates huddled to discuss text after Working Group I.


Thursday, 26 April
Working Group I - NLBI


Bernardo Velloso, Brazil, opposed defining sustainable forest management in the NLBI.

Javad Amin-Mansour, Iran, supported bracketing strengthening "action" at all levels.

Ty Sokhun, Cambodia, asked that delegates focus on paragraphs of the Chair's compromise text, rather than generally agreed paragraphs.

Luis Niño Gómez, Venezuela, suggested SFM "is needed" to enhance forest benefits.

Juan Felipe Rengifo, Colombia, insisted on referencing States' sovereign rights to exploit their own resources.

Indonesia called for stronger language to ensure insufficient resources do not hamper the Secretariat's work.
Working Group II - MYPOW


Alok Sinha, India, said text on monitoring, assessment and reporting was contingent on outcomes of Working Group I.

Jerilyn Levi, US, called for consistency between the MYPOW text and its annex.

Christian Küchli, Switzerland, proposed broadening Secretary-General's reports to consider progress towards SFM.

Tasso Rezende de Azevedo, Brazil, said a mid-term review should focus on NLBI implementation progress and achievement of Global Objectives.

Stefanie von Scheliha, Germany for the EU, suggested FAO coordinate the mid-term review report.

Pekka Patosaari, Director, UNFF Secretariat, noted previous General Assembly decisions provide for support to developing countries and those with economies in transition.
Contact Groups

Contact group on the NLBI.

Contact group on the MYPOW.
Around the Forum

Andrew Deutz, The Nature Conservancy, chatted with Charles Barber, US, in the corridor.

Delegates from Latin America and Spain conferred during a break.

Working Group II Co-Chair Arvids Ozols, conferred with Arne Ivar Sletnes, Norway, in the Café.

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

IISD Linkages - Forest, Desertification, Land
A Brief Introduction to Global Forest Policy
Linkages Update
MEA-L - Multilateral Environmental Agreements Listserve
Africa Regional Coverage

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