forest europe preparing the sixth ministerial conference, including a possible legal instrument on...
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FOREST EUROPE Preparing the Sixth Ministerial Conference, including a possible legal instrument on forestsEFI Annual Conference15 September 2010, Dresden, Germany
Dr. Malgorzata Briggs/Berit Hauger LindstadSenior advisers FOREST EUROPE Liaison Unit Oslo
Signatories: 46 European
countries + EU
Observers: 48 countries
and organisations
Sustainable forest management
in Europe
Voluntary cooperation
FOREST EUROPE – Regional policy process
STRASBOURG 1990
HELSINKI 1993
LISBON 1998
VIENNA 2003
WARSAW 2007
V Ministerial ConferencesV Ministerial ConferencesOslo
June 2011
Milestones in forest policy developmentin Europe (1990 – ongoing)
RIO
1992
FOREST EUROPE achievements
• Solid platform for pan-European cooperation
• Framework for global-regional interface
• Developed sustainable forest management in Europe:– Agreed definition
– Guidelines
– Tools, including Criteria and Indicators
• Framework for monitoring, assessment and reporting
The Challenges
• Crucial role of sustainable forest management – not evident to or recognised by society
– Contributions to a green economy– Mitigating climate change– Balancing the different functions of forests
• Environmental, economic and social benefits from forests are threatened by global warming, e.g. storms, fires, drought, pests and diseases
• Increased demands from society, e.g. for renewable energy
• Forests higher on political agendas – Holistic approach at risk ?
Towards Sixth Ministerial Conference14-16 June 2011, Oslo
• Protect multiple forest functions and ensure long term provision of goods and services from forests in Europe
• Strengthen the contributions of European forests to sustainable development – at global, regional and national levels
• Enhance implementation of sustainable forest management• Visualise contributions by forests, International Year of Forests • Political priorities and future direction of FOREST EUROPE:
Strengthen European framework for cooperation
Preparing for the Sixth Ministerial Conference
Possible elements of ministerial decisions:
• Shared long term vision and goals for Europe’s forests
• Set of 2015 Targets on forests in Europe• Possible legal instrument on forests in Europe • Priority actions in follow up of Conference
Work on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe (2008-ongoing)Background and mandate:
5th Ministerial Conference, Warsaw Poland, 2007:Challenges and needs for stronger commitments
• Urgent need for a comprehensive way to address sustainable forest management and threats on forests
• Balance emerging conflicts between different forest functions
• Bridge gaps between possible contradicting interests related to forests
Scoping exercise – tasks of two working groups• Emerging challenges on forests and forestry in
Europe, where legal instrument could play a role• Added value • Possible type of a legal agreement – options and
alternatives• Possible institutional arrangements• Possible costs • Possible impact on other legislations, instruments
and processes • Non-paper on key issues and options• Draft ministerial decision
Recommendations from the 1st Working Group• A legal framework - effective policy option for
addressing challenges and opportunities for forests
• Objective: secure all functions of forests and enhance sustainable management of forests and improve cooperation at European level to this end
• Work towards a framework agreement, broad European objectives and obligations, and national standards and measures
• A legal agreement would not necessarily replace FOREST EUROPE, but could be complementary
• The effectiveness and strength will depend on the number of countries participating
State of Play
2nd Working Group on preparing options for a decision by ministers on possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe (2009-ongoing)
Finalising non-paper on legally binding agreement on forests in Europe
Recommendations for a ministerial decision (to be discussed in September/October 2010)
National consultation National positions to be elaborated
Ministerial Conference (14-16 June 2011, Oslo Norway) Consideration to launch negotiations
Looking for synergies
• Europe: Diversity in priorities, common challenges and opportunities for forests
• Join efforts to address direct and indirect drivers of global environmental challenges effecting forests in Europe and beyond
• Pan-European commitments will foster and strengthen the EU objectives on forests
• The role of Europe in global policy debate can be further strengthened
• Stronger and reinforced science-policy interface
Thank you for your attention!
More information: www.foresteurope.org
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