3 XIII WFC

XIII World Congress – in development: a vital balance O. Serrano

)DFWV¿JXUHVDQGKLJKOLJKWVIURP he first viduals and do not represent their WKHODUJHVWIRUHVWU\JDWKHULQJHYHU YCUJGNFKPVJGUGEQPFVGP countries or organizations – came from Tyears later, and congresses have all continents, with the greatest part, DGGPQTICPK\GFCRRTQZKOCVGN[GXGT[UKZ CUGZRGEVGFHTQO%GPVTCNCPF5QWVJ years since 1949, in partnership between America, and fully half from . FAO and a host country. The XIII World They included policy-makers (including Forestry Congress, held in , a number of ministers responsible for #TIGPVKPCHTQOVQ1EVQDGT forestry), researchers, practition- was the largest forestry gathering ever. ers and representatives from industry, 1XGTGZRGTVUJCFVJGQRRQTVWPKV[ financial institutions and development to present and discuss their work, share agencies. All 14 members of the Col- VJGKTGZRGTKGPEGUCPFKPETGCUGVJGKTPGV- laborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) works across the continents. Participants were represented, as were many non- HTQOEQWPVTKGUICVJGTGFCVVJGGZJK- governmental organizations. The atten- bition grounds of the conference centre dance of students was remarkable: some .C 4WTCN VQ GZEJCPIG XKGYU CTQWPF TGRTGUGPVKPICDTQCFTCPIGQHWPK- the theme of the congress, “Forests in versities, many supported by associa- Olman Serrano5GPKQT(QTGUVT[1HſEGT(#1 development: a vital balance”. tions such as the International Forest Stu- was Associate Secretary General of the XIII Participants – who take part as indi- dents Association (IFSA) and the Latin World Forestry Congress.

Unasylva 234/235, Vol. 61, 2010 4 XIII WFC XIII WFC Leopoldo Montes, Secretary General of the XIII World FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf Forestry Congress, addressed the opening plenary, noting that welcomed participants to considering forests as an integral part of the congress on Sunday wider economic and social development evening, 18 October goals will help greatly in efforts to reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition

American Forest Science Students Asso- Near East Forestry Day ciation (ALECIF). 19 October 2009 Nearly 600 participants came from #HTKECCPF#UKC/QTGVJCPpartici- Near East Forestry Day was organized in conjunction with the XIII World Forestry pants from developing countries were Congress, under the aegis of the FAO Near East Forestry Commission, to share with able to attend thanks to a sponsorship the international forestry community the key concerns of forestry in the Near East and programme coordinated by FAO and North African Region – including rangelands and conservation, and ſPCPEKCNN[UWRRQTVGFD[VJGIQXGTPOGPVU protected areas, forest in arid and semi-arid zones and the role of Near East of Finland, Spain, the United Kingdom forestry in the international dialogue and the United States of America. This special event offered a unique opportunity for forestry experts, policy-makers and For the first time, countries from the representatives from government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations Near East were strongly represented at (NGOs) to exchange views and experience, explore business opportunities and interact the World Forestry Congress and organ- with high-level panellists from the region. It attracted representatives from Egypt, ized a special event to present their com- Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia OQPEQPEGTPU $QZ  and Yemen, among others. While the World Forestry Congress is The gathering raised awareness on the need to share lessons learned and to follow up a global technical forum, it attracted the UHVXOWVDFKLHYHGLQDGGUHVVLQJGHVHUWL¿FDWLRQGHJUDGDWLRQRIIRUHVWVDQGZRRGODQGVZDWHU interest of high-level policy-makers. Most scarcity and erosion. Participants underlined that further efforts should be developed of the world’s heads of forestry services to integrate appropriate forest policies and strategies in general land resources manage- were present. The host country organized ment. Much attention was focused on how to mobilize the necessary resources to reverse a ministerial event attended by ministers the declining trend of forest resources in the region. Participants also emphasized the responsible for , importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors and among govern- , China, Costa Rica, New Zealand ments, NGOs and research institutions, as paramount for the promotion and valorization and the Republic of the Congo. of forest products and services in drylands. A concrete outcome was a set of recommendations and conclusions, developed by a core CONGRESS PROGRAMME team of forest experts attending the event, to be presented to the next session of the Near 6JGVGEJPKECNRTQITCOOGKPENWFGF East Forestry Commission, to be held in Tunis, Tunisia from 5 to 9 April 2010. presentations, selected from over 3 000 abstracts submitted, covering the seven OCKPVJGOCVKECTGCUCPFUWDVJGOGU

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To celebrate the opening of the congress, Cristina Fernández cesses, instruments for forest plan- related interests, including indigenous de Kirchner, President of ning and development, institutional peoples, mountain , biologi- Argentina, planted a at the Casa Rosada – the presidential settings, law compliance and good cal diversity and financing. More than headquarters – symbolizing the IQXGTPCPEGTGUGCTEJGZVGPUKQPCPF 1 500 posters were displayed, providing country’s commitment to the , intersectoral policies and an additional opportunity for presenta- conservation and management of forest resources influences, contribution of the forest VKQPQHHKGNFGZRGTKGPEGU sector to national and local econo- • Forests and biodiversity – state of the mies, forest information; SPECIAL FEATURES forest and assessment techniques, de- • People and forests in harmony Fora on topical issues and forest fragmentation, – , , Full-afternoon fora were dedicated to restoration and rehabilitation, bio- communities and institutions, parti- two subjects: forests and , and diversity, conservation management, cipatory management and processes, forests and . These well- wildlife, forest genetic diversity; work in the forestry sector, gender attended sessions, held in the plenary • Producing for development – forest and forestry. hall, included high-level keynote pres- management, planted forests, agro- 5KZVGGP KPXKVGF MG[PQVG URGCMGTU entations followed by substantive panel forestry systems, maintaining and introduced the main thematic areas in discussions. increasing forests’ productive capa- plenary. The main outcome from the climate city, forests and energy, forest uti- (KXGRNGPCT[UGUUKQPUVGEJPKECNUGU- change forum was a message from the lization practices, non- forest sions and three special fora provided organizers of the World Forestry Con- products, outside forests and multiple opportunities for participants gress to the fifteenth Conference of the other wooded land; to share and increase their knowledge of Parties (COP 15) of the • Forests in the service of people forest and cross-sectoral issues. In addi- Framework Convention on Climate – forests and water, forests and cli- tion over 100 side events were organized %JCPIG 70(%%%  $QZR  mate change, tourism and recrea- by institutions with particular forest- Participants in the Forests and Energy tion, urban and peri-urban forests, mountain forests and livelihoods, Euclides Pereira, representing the valuation of environmental services indigenous peoples and benefit sharing; of the Brazilian • Caring for our forests – forest fire, Amazon, dismissed the notion of an , pests and diseases, “untouched” Amazon, other disturbances; for indigenous practices have always • Development opportunities – sus- involved intervention tainability and economic viability, in nature (including industry and forest development, the development of food crops that have small and medium-scale forest enter- contributed to feeding prises, forest products trade, forest the world); he drew attention rather to certification, forests and poverty indigenous peoples’ alleviation; long experience in conserving their lands, • Organizing forest development XIII WFC natural resources, – international dialogue and pro- water and biodiversity

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Forests and climate change: from Buenos Aires to Copenhagen

Linkages of forests and climate change were discussed in four technical sessions (mitigation, impacts and adaptation, policies and institutions, forest carbon and carbon markets), in 14 special events organized by partner organizations, and during a half-day forum entitled “Forestry and climate change: to Copenhagen and beyond”. 6JGTGUWNVUQHVJGXCTKQWUUGUUKQPUCTGTGƀGEVGFKPVJGHQNNQYKPIOGUUCIGHTQOVJGEQPITGUUCFQRVGFQP(TKFC[1EVQDGTVQ COP 15 of UNFCCC (Copenhagen, Denmark, December 2009):

The XIII World Forestry Congress (WFC) notes with concern the impacts of climate change on forests and strongly emphasizes the important role forests play in climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as the need for forest-dependent people and forest ecosystems to adapt to this challenge. Forests are more than carbon. They harbor two thirds of all land-based biodiversity, and generate critical goods and services such as water, food, and income from over 5 000 commercial forest products. Forests sustain the cultural and spiritual identity of billions of people, foremost among them the indigenous peoples and local communities. The XIII WFC calls for urgent action and endorses the main messages of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests’ Strategic Framework for Forests and Climate Change, of its Expert Panel on Adaptation of Forests to Climate Change, and of The Forests Dialogue’s Statement on Forests and Climate Change, in particular the following: • Forests contribute positively to the global carbon balance. Maintaining high carbon stocks by reducing and and promoting the sustainable management of all types of forests, including the conservation of biodi- versity, and restoration, should be among the world’s highest priorities for the forestry sector. • Sustainable provides an effective framework for forest-based climate change mitigation and adaptation. • For forests to fully achieve their potential in addressing the challenges of climate change, forest governance should be improved, ſPCPEKPICPFECRCEKV[DWKNFKPIUJQWNFDGGPJCPEGFCPFRTQEGUUGUVQGORQYGTFKUGPHTCPEJKUGFRGQRNGKPENWFKPIKPFKIGPQWU peoples and other forest dependent communities, be strengthened. • Sustainably harvested forest products and wood fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions if they substitute neutral or low emission, renewable materials for high-emission materials. • Even if adaptation measures are fully implemented, climate change would in the long run exceed the adaptive capacity of many forests and therefore forest-based climate change mitigation and adaptation measures should proceed concurrently. • Intersectoral collaboration, strengthening forest governance, establishing positive economic incentives, and improving sustainable livelihoods of the poor are essential for reducing deforestation and forest degradation. • Accurate forest monitoring and assessment help inform decision-making and should be strengthened in a coordinated and transparent manner. Ŗ#EVKQPUQPENKOCVGEJCPIGOKVKICVKQPCPFCFCRVCVKQPKPHQTGUVT[YQWNFDGPGſVHTQOCOQTGCEVKXGGPICIGOGPVQHHQTGUVT[ professionals. The XIII WFC stresses the need to reduce poverty as a driver of deforestation and to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities, and recognizes the important roles that the private sector and civil society play in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The XIII WFC supports the inclusion of REDD-plus in the agreement on long-term cooperative action under UNFCCC, including enhanced incentives for conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries; and calls for further support for adaptation in the forest sector.

Forum debated the implications of bio- The Investment and Financing Forum restructuring, new financing instru- energy production for the forest sector. YCUCPQVJGTKPPQXCVKXGGXGPV $QZR  ments and non-traditional investment They shared their perspectives on the Representatives of financial and deve- opportunities. state of the art of wood-based energy lopment institutions, forest and invest- production technologies, the social and ment funds, private equity funds, forestry Business meetings – for business and environmental impacts of bioenergy enterprises, banks and government rep- others production and the opportunities that resentatives discussed strategies on how Parallel to the main programme, space bioenergy-related policies present for to overcome the current financial crisis was set aside to accommodate interac- UWUVCKPCDNGFGXGNQROGPV $QZQRRQUKVG  with new business models, industry tion among private-sector participants,

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including forest products producers, VTCFGTUſPCPEKCNKPUVKVWVKQPUCPFKPXGU- VQTU1P9GFPGUFC[1EVQDGTCHWNNFC[ Business Roundtable brought together  TGRTGUGPVCVKXGU HTQO GPVGTRTKUGU involved in forestry-related activities, from 31 countries. Over 1 000 face-to- face meetings were registered, totalling U$35 million in business pledges. Many forest-related groups and organi- \CVKQPUŌHQTGZCORNGVJG%QNNCDQTC- tive Partnership on Forests (CPF) and

XIII WFC the Board of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) More than 1 500 – held meetings in Buenos Aires prior to contributors the congress week, taking advantage of presented posters VJGRTGUGPEGQHGZRGTVUHTQOCTQWPFVJG world. FAO and the German Agency for

Congress participants express caution about bioenergy developments

The Forum on Forests and Energy attracted industry shows keen interest to develop A number of presenters described the about 2 500 participants and included both biochemical and thermochemical ambitious bioenergy policies already in presentations from nine speakers covering technologies to convert cellulose into place in North America and Europe and a wide range of technical and policy issues ELRHQHUJ\DQGWKHELRUH¿QHU\FRQFHSWLV noted that many developing countries are related to the subject. The discussion came expected to be an important technological also developing or implementing policies in back often to three major issues: platform. About US$3.8 billion is currently this area. In addition, several international • Many invested in research and development into partnerships are addressing technical and presenters noted that the replacement such second-generation technologies; they policy issues related to bioenergy and its of fossil fuels with biofuels will have sig- have now reached demonstration plant , for example the QL¿FDQWLPSDFWVRQODQGXVH.H\LVVXHV scale but are still some way from being formulation of principles, criteria and that have to be considered in this respect economically viable compared to existing indicators for bioenergy production. include the possible conversion of forests types of liquid biofuel. After the technical presentations, the to biofuel crops, increased competition • Wood is members of the audience voted on whether for agricultural crops between food and already by far the largest source of bio- they thought bioenergy development would fuel use, and the socio-economic implica- energy and it will remain so in the future. be good or bad for the forestry sector. The tions of large-scale changes in land use, Much of this is fuelwood and interesting result was that about 50 percent landownership and land tenure. The use used in developing countries, but more thought it would be bad and 40 percent of degraded land and existing modern uses of wood for heat and power thought it would be good (with about 10 wastes reduces the impact of bioenergy generation are rapidly becoming more percent undecided). Thus, it seems that developments on land use, but is not widespread. In general, wood has many many issues of concern must be examined entirely without problems. advantages for bioenergy production and resolved before the forestry commu- • Most biofuel compared with existing alternatives. nity can give its wholehearted support to development at present focuses on liquid However, the use of wood for bioenergy bioenergy development. biofuel production derived from agricul- will increase total wood demand, so tural crops, but the technology to produce the of production and liquid biofuels from wood is improving competition with other existing wood and production is expected to increase uses are important issues that should greatly in the future. The and be considered.

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Conclusions from the Investment and Financing Forum 22 October 2009

3DUWLFLSDQWVH[SUHVVHGDFRQFHUQWKDWLQYHVWPHQWLQWURSLFDOIRUHVWU\LVZKROO\LQVXI¿FLHQWHYHQWKRXJKWKHUDWHRIUHWXUQRQLQYHVWPHQWV LQIRUHVWSODQWDWLRQVDQGVXVWDLQDEOHIRUHVWPDQDJHPHQWLVLQWKHUDQJHRIWRSHUFHQW/HVVWKDQ86ELOOLRQSHU\HDURIRI¿FLDO development assistance (ODA) is devoted to tropical forestry. The barriers to forest investment in developing economies include the perception of high risk in long-term investments (because of insecure land tenure, political instability, weak institutions and regulatory IUDPHZRUNVDQGKXPDQULJKWVLVVXHV DQGOLPLWHGFDSDFLW\WRDEVRUELQYHVWPHQWV EHFDXVHRIGH¿FLHQW¿QDQFLDOLQIUDVWUXFWXUHODFN of suitable partners and shortage of skills). To improve the investment conditions in tropical forest countries, it is necessary to bridge four gaps: • WKHLQYHVWPHQWJDS±WKURXJKORFDOSDUWQHUVKLSVUHGXFHGEXUHDXFUDF\DQGFDSDFLW\EXLOGLQJLQIRUHVWU\EXVLQHVVDQG¿QDQFLDOLQVWLWXWLRQV • the risk gap for investments – through an enhanced role of the multilateral development banks (long-term loans, insurance for SROLWLFDODQGODQGWHQXUHULVNVDQGIDFLOLWDWLRQRIWUDGH¿QDQFLQJ  • the knowledge gap – through enhanced investor relations, improved price transparency and promotion of country or sector invest- ment plans; • the market gap – through correction of market failures, establishment of fully functioning carbon markets and long-term carbon framework agreements, reduction of transaction costs, strengthening of price signals for sustainable products, capacity building of local banks and support for innovations. A mechanism for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) that includes conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest stocks (REDD-plus) could catalyse economic transformations and increase invest- ments in tropical countries. But deforestation goes far beyond the carbon issue, and the carbon market does not really function yet. Therefore, REDD-plus must be able to foster the establishment of sustainable private enterprises in order to be successful. To put the matter in human terms, some 1.8 billion people use forests and trees for part of their subsistence, some 500 million people directly depend on forest resources for their livelihoods, and some 50 million people live literally within forests. REDD-plus should help these people have a decent life.

Technical Cooperation (GTZ) organized Valter Ziantoni won ſTUVRTK\GKPVJG9QTNF an event on regional forest coopera- Forestry Congress tion. The National Forest Programme photo contest for Facility met with South American part- his image “Everyday Amazon” ners. The host country organized a spe- cial training course on forest genetics with global specialists a few days before the opening of the congress.

Reaching beyond the forest sector The World Forestry Congress was not only for to discuss traditional forest topics, but embraced other sub- jects having an impact on forests. For GZCORNGCPGXGPVNCUVKPICNOQUVVJTGG days and organized parallel to the main programme was the Second International Forum on Globally Important Agricul- tural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Key- note speaker M.S. Swaminathan, winner

QHVJG9QTNF(QQF2TK\GECNNGF XIII WFC for an “ever-green” revolution based

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on dynamic conservation of agricultural heritage sites in an era of climate change. The Forum discussed agricultural sys- tems and landscapes created, shaped and maintained by generations of farmers and herders based on diverse natural resources and using locally adapted management practices. These well- balanced agro-ecological systems include practices in mar- IKPCNQTGZVTGOGGPXKTQPOGPVUYJGTG trees have an important role. A special address by Henri Djombo, Minister of Forest Economy, the Republic of the Congo, brought forestry into the GIAHS perspective.

Offsetting the carbon footprint of the congress The enormous participation in the World Forestry Congress entailed high con- sumption of energy and thousands of kilometres of travel by air, sea or road, adding an enormous amount of carbon FKQZKFGVQVJGCVOQURJGTG6QQHHUGV these emissions and contribute to cli- mate change mitigation, the congress organizers arranged to purchase carbon credits from a biomass energy project in – creating the first “carbon neutral” World Forestry Congress.

CLOSING AND DECLARATION The XIII World Forestry Congress con- cluded with a final declaration, sum- marizing the most relevant issues and recommendations resulting from the numerous presentations and discussions throughout the week. The declaration QWVNKPGFPKPGHKPFKPIUCPFUVTCVGIKE CEVKQPU $QZR +VURTGCODNGPQVGU that: Forests are an invaluable asset for humanity providing livelihoods for bil- lions of people, helping achieve envi- ronmental sustainability, and serving

Some scenes from the exhibition

hall, including the XIII WFC inauguration by the congress organizers

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Strategic actions recommended by the XIII World Forestry Congress

Working with partners outside the forest Planted forests Fragile ecosystems, including arid zones, sector • Recognize the importance of planted small islands, wetlands and mountains • Initiate integrated cross-sectoral actions forests in meeting economic, social and • Promote protection and restoration of at global, regional, national and local environmental needs. fragile ecosystems to improve their resil- scales on key issues, including climate • Focus activities on degraded landscapes, ience and adaptation to changing climates change, bioenergy, water, biodiversity, especially restoration of degraded forest and human impacts and to maintain their food security and poverty alleviation to lands. vital environmental services, including reduce adverse impacts on forests. • Develop and implement technologies to food security and livelihoods for their • Implement mechanisms for cross- maintain and enhance the productivity of inhabitants. sectoral monitoring and reporting to planted forests and their contributions at Ŗ+PETGCUGGHHQTVUVQEQODCVFGUGTVKſECVKQP KPƀWGPEGRQNKEKGUCPFCEVKQPUTGNCVGF local and landscape levels. through forestry-related actions. to forestry. Forest bioenergy Forest industry +PƀWGPEKPIQRKPKQPUCPFRGTEGRVKQPUCDQWV • Develop energy forests within the context • Create an enabling environment of policy the value of forests of a sustainability framework to minimize and legal framework for the forest industry • Create innovative mechanisms that the risk of unintended consequences sector. incorporate local and indigenous across the forest, and energy • Expand research to develop new clean knowledge as a source of valid informa- sectors. technologies and forest products. tion to enrich global knowledge and • Implement good governance policies for the understanding of sustainable forest sustainable bioenergy development. Forest-related policies, good governance management. • Develop and improve technologies for and institutions • Strengthen interfaces between forest OQTGGHſEKGPVRTQFWEVKQPCPFFKXGTUGWUG • Improve governance at all levels of the knowledge and society; focusing in of biomass for energy including second forest sector, including building capacity particular on opinion leaders in local generation technologies. of forestry institutions to enforce laws and RQRWNCVKQPUCUCYC[VQKPƀWGPEGRQNKE[ regulations, and facilitate sustainable makers. Forests and climate change forest management by state and non-state • Develop new approaches to enhancing actors. Economic mechanisms to take full account using forests and • Provide better mechanisms to recognize of forests’ value to society new options for managing forests in the and value women’s roles in both informal • Foster the development of mechanisms face of climate changes and implement and formal domains. at local, regional, national and global them widely. • Improve worker skills and working condi- levels for realizing new economic values Ŗ2TQXKFGKPHQTOGFCPFUEKGPVKſECNN[RTQXGF tions needed for safe and productive work QHHQTGUVUVJCVETGCVGſPCPEKCNKPEGP- inputs to climate change negotiations. in the expanding forest sector. tives for landowners and communities to • Simplify AR CDM rules and implementa- • Promote land tenure reform providing manage for these values. tion of REDD-plus. secure rights to communities and local • Focus immediately on climate change • Advocate that local needs currently met stakeholders to use and manage forest TGNCVGFOGEJCPKUOUCUVJGſTUVRTKQT- HTQOHQTGUVUCTGTGURGEVGFCPFTGƀGEVGF resources. ity with particular attention to REDD in international climate change-oriented • Develop financing strategies within issues. mechanisms and policies. the framework of national forest pro- • Increase efforts to develop integrated • Expand research on adaptation to climate grammes using innovative instruments policies and strategies for effective man- change and its impacts on ecosystems, for investment and market development agement of forest and water resources. economies and societies. in forestry.

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as a source of social and spiritual A congress in values for peoples, communities and Buenos Aires would not have nations. Through their sustainable been complete management, forests can contribute to without tango alleviating poverty, safeguarding bio- diversity, providing the broad range of goods and services for present and future generations, in the context of a changing climate. The declaration affirms that sustain- able forest management, although not sufficient alone to address the multitude of challenges facing forests, contributes to achieving the vital balance between humanity and nature that is needed

for sustainable development, and that XIII WFC ongoing United Nations conventions and processes, such as the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of NCTIGGZJKDKVKQPCTGCVJGRQUVGTUGEVKQP Forestry and people who use or depend Forests, provide useful institutional the ample space for journalists and the on forest resources will, in one way or frameworks for action. EQOHQTVCDNGTGNCZCVKQPCTGC another, feel the positive impact of this The well-known Argentinian hospi- major event. Planning and holding a CONCLUSIONS tality, the high-quality cuisine and the World Forestry Congress is a long-term The whole congress week was rich in ample choice of cultural events made the investment, and the final declaration, VGEJPKECNKPHQTOCVKQPGZEJCPIGCPFNKXGN[ participants’ stay a very pleasant one, while not a legally binding document, discussions, everywhere from the plenary despite the tight technical programme will guide efforts towards the vital hall and the 14 other meeting rooms to the and the multitudes attending. balance of forests in development. X

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