EU Presidency Statement - UN Forum on Forests

Summary: 6 March 2002: Statement on Multi-stakeholder dialogue Second Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (4-15 March 2002), (New York)

Mr. Chairman:.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

1. We welcome the interesting presentations made by the major groups and also the written contributions from the scientific community and from the forest owners in the preparation of this session. The EU shares the Bureau's view that the main focus of the multi-stakeholder dialogue at UNFF2 should be "Review of progress in the implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action".

2. The EU welcomes the opportunity during this second session of having an active multi-stakeholder dialogue which gives major groups an effective and greater role within the participatory approach of the UNFF process.

3. The EU regrets the difficulties encountered by major group representatives in securing formal registration for this second session of the UNFF. The Secretariat is kindly requested to take note of our concerns in this matter and we look forward to a positive reaction and guidance to major groups by the Secretariat in an attempt to solve the procedural obstacles hindering balanced participation in this process.

4. The EU reaffirms its long-term commitment on this issue as well as the importance of continuing and intensifying the process of involving within the decision making processes all the relevant stakeholders. In this context, the EU considers that activities aimed at the implementation of the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action should follow a bottom-up process which starts with systematic, participatory assessment at national level, and building on this, develop measures at regional and international levels.

5. Within Europe, several processes are working to reinforce the links between people, forests and forestry to enhance the implementation of sustainable forest management, inter alia:

The Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forest in Europe (MCPFE) which has within its work program an Area for Dialogue with Society in which workshops and programs on Public Participation, Public Relations and Education are developed.
The FAO/ECE/ILO Joint Committee which has already undertaken the publication of the report "Public Participation in Forestry" and will address soon the issue of Public Awareness through several workshops.

We are looking forward to an active participation and a very fruitful dialogue among all of us.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ref: PRES02-024EN
EU source: EU Presidency
UN forum: ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council), (including functional Commissions)
Date: 6/3/2002

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