Stormy Negotiations on a Sunny Day

On Thursday, 23 April, delegates to the eighth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF8) continued deliberations in two working groups throughout the day. Working Group I addressed forests in a changing environment, and Working Group II discussed means of implementation.

Working Group I deliberations centered on the Secretary-General's report on Forests in a Changing Environment. They discussed recommendations to member states, the UNFF, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, international organizations, and the UNFF Secretariat, as well as recommendations on enhancing cooperation among multilateral environmental agreements. Delegates then heard general statements on forests and climate change, biodiversity and desertification. In the afternoon, Co-Chair Ozols suspended the session early, encouraging delegates to prepare ideas on inputs and the form of a message from UNFF8 to the outside world on forests in a changing environment.

Working Group II discussed specific elements of a global forest fund and a facilitative mechanism. On the fund, they outlined their positions on beneficiaries, investment and selection criteria, scope of activities eligible for funds, targeted funding volume and sources, hosting organization, and stakeholder partnerships. Delegates began discussions on elements of a facilitative mechanism. After suspendeding the session in the afternoon for informal consultations, the Bureau distributed a draft "road map" for financing sustainable forest management. Discussion on the draft was deferred until the following morning, as many delegations felt that its distribution was premature, and that its content did not reflect the morning's discussion.

Above: UN Headquarters on an ideal spring day in New York.