Means of implementation
(a) Financial and cost evaluation
11.16. The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $10 billion, including about $3.7 billion from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order -of- magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depend up on, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.
(b) Scientific and technological means
11.17. Data analysis, planning, research, transfer/development of technology and/or training activities
form an integral part of the programme activities, providing the scientific and technological means of
implementation. National institutions should:
a. Develop feasibility studies and operational planning related to major forest activities;
b. Develop and apply environmentally sound technology relevant to the various activities listed;
c. Increase action related to genetic improvement and application of biotechnology for
improving productivity and tolerance to environmental stress and including, for example, tree
breeding, seed t echnology, seed procurement networks, germ -plasm banks, "in vitro"
techniques, and in situ and ex situ conservation.
(c) Human resource development
11.18. Essential means for effectively implementing the activities include training and development of
appropriate skills, working facilities and conditions, public motivation and awareness. Specific
activities include:
a. Providing specialized training in planning, management, environmental conservation,
biotechnology etc.;
b. Establishing demonstration areas to serve as models and training facilities;
c. Supporting local organizations, communities, non -governmental organizations and private
land owners, in particular women, youth, farmers and indigenous people/shifting cultivators,
through extension and provision of inpu ts and training.
(d) Capacity-building
11.19. National Governments, the private sector, local organizations/communities, indigenous people, labour unions and non -governmental organizations should develop capacities, duly supported by relevant international org anizations, to implement the programme activities. Such capacities should be developed and strengthened in harmony with the programme activities. Capacity -building activities include policy and legal frameworks, national institution building, human resourc e development, development of research and technology, development of infrastructure, enhancement of public awareness etc.
C. Promoting efficient utilization and assessment to recover the full valuation of the goods and services provided by forests, for est lands and woodlands
Basis for action
11.20. The vast potential of forests and forest lands as a major resource for development is not yet fully realized. The improved management of forests can increase the production of goods and services and, in particular, the yield of wood and non -wood forest products, thus helping to generate additional employment and income, additional value through processing and trade of forest products, increased contribution to foreign exchange earnings, and increased return on in vestment. Forest resources, being renewable, can be sustainably managed in a manner that is compatible with environmental conservation. The implications of the harvesting of forest resources for the other values of the forest should be taken fully into con sideration in the development of forest policies. It is also possible to increase the value of forests through non -damaging uses such as eco -tourism and the managed supply of genetic materials. Concerted action is needed in order to increase people's perce ption of the value of forests and of the benefits they provide. The survival of forests and their continued contribution to human welfare depends to a great extent on succeeding in this endeavour.
Objectives
11.21. The objectives of this programme area are as follows:
a. To improve recognition of the social, economic and ecological values of trees, forests and
forest lands, including the consequences of the damage caused by the lack of forests; to
promote methodologies with a view to incorporating social, economi c and ecological values
of trees, forests and forest lands into the national economic accounting systems; to ensure
their sustainable management in a way that is consistent with land use, environmental
considerations and development needs;
b. To promote effi cient, rational and sustainable utilization of all types of forests and vegetation
inclusive of other related lands and forest -based resources, through the development of
efficient forest -based processing industries, value -adding secondary processing and t rade in
forest products, based on sustainably managed forest resources and in accordance with plans
that integrate all wood and non -wood values of forests;
c. To promote more efficient and sustainable use of forests and trees for fuelwood and energy
supplies;
d. To promote more comprehensive use and economic contributions of forest areas by
incorporating eco -tourism into forest management and planning.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
11.22. Governments, with the support of the private sector, scienti fic institutions, indigenous people,
non-governmental organizations, cooperatives and entrepreneurs, where appropriate, should undertake
the following activities, properly coordinated at the national level, with financial and technical
cooperation from int ernational organizations:
a. Carrying out detailed investment studies, supply -demand harmonization and environmental
impact analysis to rationalize and improve trees and forest utilization and to develop and
establish appropriate incentive schemes and regula tory measures, including tenurial
arrangements, to provide a favourable investment climate and promote better management;
b. Formulating scientifically sound criteria and guidelines for the management, conservation and
sustainable development of all types of forests;
c. Improving environmentally sound methods and practices of forest harvesting, which are
ecologically sound and economically viable, including planning and management, improved
use of equipment, storage and transportation to reduce and, if possible , maximize the use of
waste and improve value of both wood and non -wood forest products;
d. Promoting the better use and development of natural forests and woodlands, including planted
forests, wherever possible, through appropriate and environmentally sound and economically
viable activities, including silvicultural practices and management of other plant and animal
species;
e. Promoting and supporting the downstream processing of forest products to increase retained
value and other benefits;
f. Promoting/popula rizing non-wood forest products and other forms of forest resources, apart
from fuelwood (e.g., medicinal plants, dyes, fibres, gums, resins, fodder, cultural products,
rattan, bamboo) through programmes and social forestry/participatory forest activities,
including research on their processing and uses;
g. Developing, expanding and/or improving the effectiveness and efficiency of forest -based
processing industries, both wood and non -wood based, involving such aspects as efficient
conversion technology and im proved sustainable utilization of harvesting and process
residues; promoting underutilized species in natural forests through research, demonstration
and commercialization; promoting value -adding secondary processing for improved
employment, income and ret ained value; and promoting/improving markets for, and trade in,
forest products through relevant institutions, policies and facilities;
h. Promoting and supporting the management of wildlife, as well as eco -tourism, including
farming, and encouraging and sup porting the husbandry and cultivation of wild species, for
improved rural income and employment, ensuring economic and social benefits without
harmful ecological impacts;
i. Promoting appropriate small -scale forest -based enterprises for supporting rural deve lopment
and local entrepreneurship;
j. Improving and promoting methodologies for a comprehensive assessment that will capture the
full value of forests, with a view to including that value in the market -based pricing structure
of wood and non-wood based prod ucts;
k. Harmonizing sustainable development of forests with national development needs and trade
policies that are compatible with the ecologically sound use of forest resources, using, for
example, the ITTO Guidelines for Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests;
l. Developing, adopting and strengthening national programmes for accounting the economic
and non-economic value of forests.
(b) Data and information
11.23. The objectives and management -related activities presuppose data and information analysis,
feasibility studies, market surveys and review of technological information. Some of the relevant
activities include:
a. Undertaking analysis of supply and demand for forest products and services, to ensure
efficiency in their utilization, wherever necessary;
b. Carrying out investment analysis and feasibility studies, including environmental impact
assessment, for establishing forest -based processing enterprises;
c. Conducting research on the properties of currently underutilized species for their promotion
and commercialization;
d. Supporting market surveys of forest products for trade promotion and intelligence;
e. Facilitating the provision of adequate technological information as a measure to promote
better utilization of forest resources.
(c) International and regi onal cooperation and coordination
11.24. Cooperation and assistance of international organizations and the international community in technology transfer, specialization and promotion of fair terms of trade, without resorting to unilateral restrictions and/or b ans on forest products contrary to GATT and other multilateral trade agreements, the application of appropriate market mechanisms and incentives will help in addressing global environmental concerns. Strengthening the coordination and performance of existi ng international organizations, in particular FAO, UNIDO, UNESCO, UNEP, ITC/UNCTAD/GATT, ITTO and ILO, for providing technical assistance and guidance in this programme area is another specific activity.
Means of implementation
(a) Financial and cost e valuation
11.25. The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $18 billion, including about $880 million from the international community on grant or conces sional terms. These are indicative and order -of- magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.
(b) Scientific and technological means
11.26. The programme activities presuppose major research efforts and studies, as well as improvement
of technology. This should be coordinated by national Governments, in collaboration with and
supported by relevant international organizations and institutions. Some of the specific components
include:
a. Research on properties of wood and non -wood products and their uses, to promote improved
utilization;
b. Development and appl ication of environmentally sound and less -polluting technology for
forest utilization;
c. Models and techniques of outlook analysis and development planning;
d. Scientific investigations on the development and utilization of non -timber forest products;
e. Appropriate methodologies to comprehensively assess the value of forests.
(c) Human resource development
11.27. The success and effectiveness of the programme area depends on the availability of skilled
personnel. Specialized training is an important factor in this regard. New emphasis should be given to
the incorporation of women. Human resource development for programme implementation, in
quantitative and qualitative terms, should include:
a. Developing required specialized skills to implement the programme, includin g establishing
special training facilities at all levels;
b. Introducing/strengthening refresher training courses, including fellowships and study tours, to
update skills and technological know -how and improve productivity;
c. Strengthening capability for rese arch, planning, economic analysis, periodical evaluations and
evaluation, relevant to improved utilization of forest resources;
d. Promoting efficiency and capability of private and cooperative sectors through provision of
facilities and incentives.
(d) Capacity-building
11.28. Capacity-building, including strengthening of existing capacity, is implicit in the programme activities. Improving administration, policy and plans, national institutions, human resources, research and scientific capabilities, technology development, and periodical evaluations and evaluation are important components of capacity -building.
D. Establishing and/or strengthening capacities for the planning, assessment and systematic
observations of forests and related programmes, projects an d activities, including commercial trade
and processes
Basis for action
11.29. Assessment and systematic observations are essential components of long -term planning, for evaluating effects, quantitatively and qualitatively, and for rectifying inadequacies. Thi s mechanism, however, is one of the often neglected aspects of forest resources, management, conservation and development. In many cases, even the basic information related to the area and type of forests, existing potential and volume of harvest is lackin g. In many developing countries, there is a lack of structures and mechanisms to carry out these functions. There is an urgent need to rectify this situation for a better understanding of the role and importance of forests and to realistically plan for the ir effective conservation, management, regeneration, and sustainable development.
Objectives
11.30. The objectives of this programme area are as follows:
a. To strengthen or establish systems for the assessment and systematic observations of forests
and forest lands with a view to assessing the impacts of programmes, projects and activities
on the quality and extent of forest resources, land available for afforestation, and land tenure,
and to integrate the systems in a continuing process of research and in -depth analysis, while
ensuring necessary modifications and improvements for planning and decision -making.
Specific emphasis should be given to the participation of rural people in these processes;
b. To provide economists, planners, decision makers and local com munities with sound and
adequate updated information on forests and forest land resources.
Activities
(a) Management-related activities
11.31. Governments and institutions, in collaboration, where necessary, with appropriate international
agencies and organi zations, universities and non -governmental organizations, should undertake
assessments and systematic observations of forests and related programmes and processes with a view
to their continuous improvement. This should be linked to related activities of r esearch and
management and, wherever possible, be built upon existing systems. Major activities to be considered
are:
a. Assessing and carrying out systematic observations of the quantitative and qualitative
situation and changes of forest cover and forest r esources endowments, including land
classification, land use and updates of its status, at the appropriate national level, and linking
this activity, as appropriate, with planning as a basis for policy and programme formulation;
b. Establishing national asse ssment and systematic observation systems and evaluation of
programmes and processes, including establishment of definitions, standards, norms and
intercalibration methods, and the capability for initiating corrective actions as well as
improving the formu lation and implementation of programmes and projects;
c.
Making estimates of impacts of activities affecting forestry developments and conservation
proposals, in terms of key variables such as developmental goals, benefits and costs,
contributions of forests to other sectors, community welfare, environmental conditions and
biological diversity and their impacts at the local, regional and global levels, where
appropriate, to assess the changing technological and financial needs of countries;
d.
Developing national systems of forest resource assessment and valuation, including necessary
research and data analysis, which account for, where possible, the full range of wood and non-
wood forest products and services, and incorporating results in plans and strategies and, where
feasible, in national systems of accounts and planning;
e.
Establishing necessary intersectoral and programme linkages, including improved access to
information, in order to support a holistic approach to planning and programming.
(b) Data and information
11.32.
Reliable data and information are vital to this programme area. National Governments, in
collaboration, where necessary, with relevant international organizations, should, as appropriate,
undertake to improve data and information continuously and to ensure its exchange. Major activities to
be considered are as follows:
a.
Collecting, consolidating and exchanging existing information and establishing baseline
information on aspects relevant to this programme area;
b.
Harmonizing the methodologies for programmes involving data and information activities to
ensure accuracy and consistency;
c.
Undertaking special surveys on, for example, land capability and suitability for afforestation
action;
d.
Enhancing research support and improving access to and exchange of research results.
(c) International and regional cooperation and coordination
11.33.
The international community should extend to the Governments concerned necessary technical
and financial support for implementing this programme area, including consideration of the following
activities:
a.
Establishing conceptual framework and formulating acceptable criteria, norms and definitions
for systematic observations and assessment of forest resources;
b.
Establishing and strengthening national institutional coordination mechanisms for forest
assessment and systematic observation activities;
c.
Strengthening existing regional and global networks for the exchange of relevant information;
d.
Strengthening the capacity and ability and improving the performance of existing
international organizations, such as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR), FAO, ITTO, UNEP, UNESCO and UNIDO, to provide technical support
and guidance in this programme area.
Means of implementation
(a) Financial and cost evaluation
11.34. The secretariat of the Conference has estimated the average total annual cost (1993-2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $750 million, including about $230 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order-of- magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non-concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and