Agenda 21-Intergovernmental Panel on Forests
Forests also occupied a prominent position in the international deliberations at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Two products were dedicated entirely to forests namely Chapter 11 "Combating Deforestation" of Agenda 21 and the "Non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests". The following is a copy of Agenda 21.
AGENDA 21: DEFORESTATION
REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
(Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992)
Chapter 11
COMBATING DEFORESTATION PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Sustaining the multiple roles and functions of all types of forests, forest lands and woodlands
Objectives
11.2. The objectives of this program area are as follows:
(a) To strengthen forest-related national institutions, to enhance the scope and effectiveness of activities related to the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests, and to effectively ensure the sustainable utilization and production of forests' goods and services in both the developed and the developing countries; by the year 2000, to strengthen the capacities and capabilities of national institutions to enable them to acquire the necessary knowledge for the protection and conservation of forests, as well as to expand their scope and, correspondingly, enhance the effectiveness of program and activities related to the management and development of forests;
(b) To strengthen and improve human, technical and professional skills, as well as expertise and capabilities to effectively formulate and implement policies, plans, programs, research and projects on management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and forest-based resources, and forest lands inclusive, as well as other areas from which forest benefits can be derived.
Activities
(A) Management-related activities
11.3 Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of regional, subregional and international organizations, should, where necessary, enhance institutional capability to promote the multiple roles and functions of all types of forests and vegetation inclusive of other related lands and forest-based resources in supporting sustainable development and environmental conservation in all sectors. This should be done, wherever possible and necessary, by strengthening and/or modifying the existing structures and arrangements, and by improving cooperation and coordination of their respective roles. Some of the major activities in this regard are as follows:
(b) Promoting participation of the private sector, labor unions, rural cooperatives, local communities, indigenous people, youth, women, user groups and non-governmental organizations in forest-related activities, and access to information and training program within the national context;
(c) Reviewing and, if necessary, revising measures and program relevant to all types of forests and vegetation, inclusive of other related lands and forest-based resources, and relating them to other land uses and development policies and legislation; promoting adequate legislation and other measures as a basis against uncontrolled conversion to other types of land uses;
(d) Developing and implementing plans and programs, including definition of national and, if necessary, regional and subregional goals, programs and criteria for their implementation and subsequent improvement;
(e) Establishing, developing and sustaining an effective system of forest extension and public education to ensure better awareness, appreciation and management of forests with regard to the multiple roles and values of trees, forests and forest lands;
(f) Establishing and/or strengthening institutions for forest education and training, as well as forestry industries, for developing an adequate cadre of trained and skilled staff at the professional, technical and vocational levels, with emphasis on youth and women;
(g) Establishing and strengthening capabilities for research related to the different aspects of forests and forest products, for example, on the sustainable management of forests, research on biodiversity, on the effects of air-borne pollutants, on traditional uses of forest resources by local populations and indigenous people, and on improving market returns and other non-market values from the management of forests.
(B) Data and information
11.4. Governments at the appropriate level, with the assistance and cooperation of international, regional, sub-regional and bilateral agencies, where relevant, should develop adequate databases and baseline information necessary for planning and program evaluation. Some of the more specific activities include the following:
(a) Collecting, compiling and regularly updating and distributing information on land classification and land use, including data on forest cover, areas suitable for afforestation, endangered species, ecological values, traditional/indigenous land use values, biomes and productivity, correlating demographic, socio-economic and forest resources information at the micro- and macro-levels, and undertaking periodic analyses of forest
Programs;
(b) Establishing linkages with other data systems and sources relevant to supporting forest management, conservation and development, while further developing or reinforcing existing systems such as geographic information systems, as appropriate;
(c) Creating mechanisms to ensure public access to this information.
(C) International and regional cooperation and coordination
11.5. Governments at the appropriate level and institutions should cooperate in the provision of expertise and other support and the promotion of international research efforts, in particular with a view to enhancing transfer of technology and specialized training and ensuring access to experiences and research results. There is need for strengthening coordination and improving the performance of existing forest-related
International organizations in providing technical cooperation and support to interested countries for the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests.