News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management1
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, p. 78-98)

  1. Introduction
  2. Opening of the Meeting
  3. Election of Chair and Vice-Chairs
  4. Adoption of Agenda
  5. Conclusion and Recommendations

Annex 1 (Group Photograph)
Annex 2 (List of Participants)
Annex 3 (Report of Working Group 1)
Annex 4 (Report of Working Group 2)
Annex 5 (Some Existing Agreements for Mutual Assistance and Emergency Response)
Annex 6 (Provisional Legal and Operational Checklists for Developing Forest Fire Emergency Agreements)
Annex 7 (Sample of Fire Seasons on Different Continents)
Annex 8 (Provisional action plan and schedule for implementation of recommendations)
Appendix 1 (List of Acronyms)

Final Remarks by the Editor

I.    INTRODUCTION

  1. The International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, organised by FAO in cooperation with the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 7 to 9 March 2001.

  2. The meeting was held in follow-up to the FAO meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires, held in Rome in October 1998, which identified the need for support to the development of regional and bilateral Agreements for collaboration in forest fire management, including identification of technical and financial inputs; improved sharing of information and knowledge, and support to strengthened technical cooperation among developing countries i.a. through networking and twinning; and identification of the roles which FAO and other international organisations could play in this regard, including technical assistance, institutional support and capacity-building.

  3. Organization of an international expert meeting on forest fires was, further, recommended in the consultancy report, “Proposals for Strengthening FAO’s Role Regarding Forest Fire Management” (FAO 2000)2.

  4. The specific objectives of the meeting were to:

  1. Examine the need and capacity of concerned member countries in predicting, preventing, managing and fighting forest fires;
  2. Identify countries that have such capacity, and the period of the year when they could put know-how and equipment at the disposal of others who might need it;
  3. Identify countries that could potentially utilise the capacity available with others during a relevant period of the year; and
  4. Explore the possibility of organizing the necessary logistics and compensation in inter-country arrangements of this kind.

On the basis of findings in (i) to (iv) above, the experts were to recommend action related to:

  1. Development of human resources and mechanisms needed to support cooperation in forest fire management and control, mainly at bilateral, regional and, eventually, international levels; and
  2. Mechanisms for the establishment of inter-country Agreements among groups of two or more countries, aimed at coordinating efforts to establish norms and to share resources, personnel and equipment in situations of emergency. This would include review of the feasibility to share heavy land and aerial equipment, and on prospects for developments on a wider geographic basis.

    The Experts would, further:

  1. Help identify the role of international organizations in promoting the work in points (i) to (vi).

  1. The Agenda of the meeting is given in Annex 1.

  2. The attendance in the Expert Meeting is detailed in Annex 2. The eighteen experts, from 14 countries, invited by the Director-General of FAO, were selected on the basis of their specialised knowledge and their familiarity with policies, practices, databases, monitoring procedures and dialogue in international, regional and national forest fire management. The experts served in their personal capacity and not as representatives of their governments or organizations.

  3. Participants in the meeting included resource persons from each of FAO and ITTO as the two co-sponsoring agencies and international NGOs including IUCN/WWF and GFMC. Regrets were received from UNESCO, the World Bank, UN/ECE and the UN University. UNEP, WHO and CIFOR were unable to attend.

  4. A number of FAO staff members from other units of the Forestry, Legal, Agriculture and the Sustainable Development Departments, attended the Opening and some of the sessions of the meeting.

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II.    OPENING OF THE MEETING

    (Agenda Item 1)

  1. Mr. M. Hosny El-Lakany, Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, welcomed the participants to the International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Mr. Jaques Diouf.

  2. Mr. El-Lakany noted that the meeting was organized by FAO in collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). He expressed the appreciation of FAO for the continuing, constructive collaboration with ITTO as a long-standing partner in the forestry field.

  3. Mr. El-Lakany noted that the recent occurrence of extensive forest fires in different parts of the world had deepened the concern of policy makers, technicians and scientists, the general public, and the mass media alike.

  4. He mentioned that causes, extent and effects of forest fires were related not only to climatic and environmental conditions, but also to national policies, laws and institutions.

  5. He stressed that people used fire because they expected to obtain benefits from its use. The problem was not so much in its use as in its management. The overall goal of a policy on fire had to be focused on reducing adverse effects. Fires constituted a serious threat not only to the environment and human livelihoods, but also to human life. Conversely, fire was an important phenomenon in the dynamics of most ecosystems, and an essential tool in human management of such systems.

  6. Mr. El-Lakany referred to the meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires mentioned above, in which several of the participants attended. He re-iterated the findings of the Public Policies meeting that emergency responses only to suppress forest fires were not adequate by themselves; and that the key lay in forging links between sustainable land use policies and practices on the one hand and emergency preparedness on the other. He noted that, ultimately, private owners and local people must be intimately involved in the development and implementation of strategies and methodologies; involvement of all stakeholders was essential for success in forest fire prevention, prediction, suppression and monitoring.

  7. Co-operation between sectors at national level and between countries at international level was becoming increasingly important. Recent large-scale fires throughout the world had resulted in instances of countries assisting neighbouring countries on an ad hoc basis. Such cooperation could be significant also in establishing shared databases, strengthening policy-making capabilities, and developing institutional and legislative frameworks.

  8. Mr. El-Lakany noted that FAO had over the past years been active in the field of forest fire management, through support to member countries in policy level dialogue, the collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of information and know-how, the updating of forest fire terminology, and the development of methodologies and strategies related to early warning, prevention, management, control and remedial action following forest fires- i.e. rehabilitation. In this work, FAO had closely collaborated with national institutes in member countries, and with a number of international partners.

  9. In line with its mandate, FAO planned to strengthen its work in the field of forest fire management in the coming years. In this regard, FAO will continue to support countries to strengthen national capacities and capabilities, and, in collaboration with international partners, support the sharing of information and know-how among countries.

  10. Mr. El-Lakany stressed that in line with the objectives, the meeting should help review and support the development of mechanisms for the establishment of inter-country Agreements aimed at cooperation and collaboration between countries and, where feasible, the development of bilateral arrangements by which countries might share resources, personnel and equipment in situations of emergency. Requests from countries for this kind of support clearly indicated that as forest fire management issues were of utmost importance in achieving sustainable forest management, FAO and other agencies had to support countries to respond to these challenges.

  11. In closing, Mr. El-Lakany noted that the conclusions, recommendations and action plans to be developed by the present expert meeting would be made available to the 15th Session of the Committee on Forestry to be held in Rome during 12-16 March, 2001. Recommendations of COFO would, subsequently, be incorporated into the FAO work programme, including forthcoming initiatives related to forest fire management.

  12. The representative of ITTO, Mr. Efransjah, joined Mr. El-Lakany in welcoming the forest fire experts and participants to the meeting and acknowledged the close working relationship with FAO in key issues relating to sustainable forest management. He concurred with the statements of Mr. El-Lakany on the major constraints and inadequacies in forest fire management.

  13. Mr. Efransjah emphasized the challenge to synergize the work of all international institutions in order to better respond to the needs of member countries in forest fire management, including prevention. He mentioned the ITTO Guidelines on Fire Management in Tropical Forests as one of the key references under preparation by FAO, of guidelines for temperate and boreal forests. Mr. Efransjah noted that ITTO had redefined its role in forest fire management in light of the recent major fires in Indonesia and SE Asia. ITTO had a policy of collaborating and participating in inter-agency initiatives on forest fire management; he suggested that the expert meeting prepare a concrete plan of action to prioritize the support needed to serve countries and strengthen capacity and response to forest fire management. He looked forward to collaboration with FAO and other international agencies in supporting achievable initiatives that would make immediate and major impacts in forest fire management.

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III.    ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIRS

(Agenda Item 2)

  1. The meeting elected Mr. Ricardo Vélez Muñoz Chair; and Mr. Johann G. Goldammer and Mr. Samsudin Musa Vice-Chairs. Mr. Jan Troensegaard acted as Rapporteur. Ms. Christel Palmberg-Lerche, Mr. J.B. Carle, Mr. M. Paveri and Ms. G. Allard served in the Secretariat of the meeting.

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IV.    ADOPTION OF AGENDA

(Agenda Item 3)

  1. The Provisional Agenda as proposed by the Secretariat was adopted (see Annex 1).

  2. Mr El Hadji Sène, Director, Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department, FAO, re-iterated that there had been a dramatic increase in the incidence and impacts of fire in recent years, however, the responses for suppression had been inadequate and often ad hoc. He outlined the objectives, outputs, format and content of the present expert meeting. Background documentation for the meeting were highlighted with special reference to the consultancy report “Proposals for Strengthening FAO’s Role Regarding Forest Fire Management”, mentioned above; technical papers by FAO, ITTO and other organisations made available; case studies prepared in advance by experts; Agreements and operational plans used by collaborating countries, and submissions by international agencies in line with the objectives of the meeting. Mr Sène concluded by stressing the need for cooperative and collaborative approaches in preparation of components of an action plan, with particular reference to capacity building and mechanisms in forest fire management and legal instruments for emergency responses. He emphasized that FAO was seeking expert advice on the key issues and recommendations for both immediate and longer term implementation and working groups were designed to facilitate these outputs (see Annex 3 and Annex 4).

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V.    CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Preamble

  1. The experts noted that many previous consultations and meetings on forest fire management had consistently developed a number of recommendations which still awaited effective implementation. What was urgently needed today was an action plan specifying responsibilities and time frames for completion of the tasks at hand.

  2. Stressing that forest fire management was an integral component of sustainable forest and land management, the experts noted the following:

  1. The FAO Meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires, 1998, recommended that countries adopt sustainable forest and land use policies and practices to manage the flammability of forests;
  2. The vital existing roles and potential for the participation of communities in forest and vegetation fire management was a critical consideration for sustainability;
  3. If sustainable forest management practices were not established, then emergency responses of any kind would ultimately fail;
  4. On-going international criteria and indicators processes for sustainable forest management included indicators related to forest fires and the FAO coordinated Global Forest Resources Assessment database was being expanded to incorporate sustainability indicators;
  5. Widespread emergencies in recent years in all regions of the world underscored the importance of having fire management cooperation and international Agreements on mutual assistance and emergency response established in advance of fires;
  6. Prevention implied the actions in the fields of public awareness, equipment and infrastructure, enforcement and fire fuel management;
  7. There was an urgent necessity for countries to activate strong and effective fire prevention measures. It was better to prevent a wildfire than fight one; and
  8. Member countries needed to develop effective emergency response procedures internally, so that they could more effectively receive and efficiently use outside assistance.

Key Issues to be Addressed

  1. The experts noted that unmanaged and unplanned forest and other vegetation fires had negative impacts on human health and livelihoods, availability of forest products and services, biological diversity, and possibly climate change. In spite of allocation of increased resources, the number, scale and impact of forest and vegetation fires had increased in many countries in recent times.

  2. The experts further noted that existing national organisations and international agencies and mechanisms, some of them with long-standing and significant experience, had struggled to address the complexities and problems of forest fire management. In spite of this, much of the work and efforts of reviews, missions, studies and development of new international structures had not translated effectively into meaningful and sustained improvement in the management of forest fires around the world.

Major Constraints and Challenges

  1. The experts stressed that the main reasons identified for the above situation were:

  1. Lack of national land-use and fire policies and their implementation, and lack of recognition and compliance with related international processes and conventions;
  2. Low level of awareness among policy makers, decision makers and the public, which led to institutions lacking adequate resources, focus and capacity;
  3. Insufficient human resource capability in most aspects of forest fire management due to inadequate education and training;
  4. Inadequate awareness, dissemination and understanding of existing information and experiences, lack of socialisation of information and know-how (e.g. early warning systems, use of prescribed fire);
  5. Lack of basic quantitative and qualitative information and data, which provided a relevant, useful and often necessary basis for the interpretation and meaningful analysis and use of forest fire statistics;
  6. Lack of appropriate bilateral and multi-lateral Agreements for mutual assistance prior to fire emergency events.

Recommendations

  1. The experts recognized the fundamental requirement for effective sustainable forest and land management policies and practices. To achieve this objective, an overriding priority was the establishment of Agreements, protocols and institutional capacity to better share international fire management resources, knowledge and understanding.

  2. The Expert Meeting requested FAO, ITTO and collaborating agencies, to support action as set out in recommendations below:

  3. Policy

  1. Identify relevant existing policy instruments, mechanisms and networks which could support and strengthen commitment and action on forest fire management; and
  2. Support activities that bring local people, professionals and policy makers together and build awareness and capacity.

  1. Technical Support

  1. Facilitate networking and collaboration between countries through identifying or creating national focal points;
  2. Exchange experiences through institutional collaboration;
  3. Provide technical support to enhance management of forest resources that include fire prevention measures as an integral part of such action;
  4. Improve capacity and capability to prepare for forest fires, particularly in countries that have existing gaps in attributes such as laws, policy, planning, practices and monitoring;
  5. Catalyze action in providing technical support to member countries in development of Agreements3 at bilateral and regional levels (see Annex 5. and Annex 6);
  6. Strengthen in-house human and non-staff resources to respond to increasing issues and actions in forest fire management.

  1. Information and Data Bases

  1. Make information available on techniques, networks, resources, collaboration and approaches to forest fire management;
  2. Develop a data standard within the Forest Resource Assessment framework to address the requirements of national and international fire management reporting needs;
  3. Review on-going activities in forest fire management by international and regional organisations to clarify linkages, facilitate collaboration and identify gaps. Key factors are land use policies and practices, community based fire management, knowledge, training, public awareness, institutional arrangements;
  4. Synthesize and support the preparation of country profiles which provide international collaborators and donors an insight into institutional set-up and operational responsibilities at national level, as well as basic information without which outside assistance will not be effective or even possible. Aspects in such country profiles to include reference to: political will, governance, security, socio-economic, climate, vegetation, demography, resources (personnel, equipment, funds, information and infrastructure);
  5. Establish an international forest fire information centre to facilitate the sharing of world-wide information among all partners regarding such issues as: Agreements, resource availability, contacts at regional, eco-regional, global levels, etc. This centre should provide real-time situation reports and conditions. In addition, the centre should be institutionalised in order to play an advisory role in assisting countries to develop Agreements and respond to emergencies.

  1. Emergency Response Agreements

  1. Develop emergency response Agreements bilaterally and multilaterally (at regional or global levels, as appropriate); details will vary depending on considerations that may vary from region to region;
  2. Encourage forest fire management cooperation, and catalyze and support the development of new emergency response Agreements, making full use of already existing regional and other mechanisms, such as those in the CILSS, SADC, Mediterranean, Baltic, South-East Asia, Central America, Caribbean, South America and other regions, as yet to be identified;
  3. Compile an inventory of existing emergency response Agreements to serve as models for others. Guidelines or models should be prepared for developing such Agreements and related operating plans and protocols. FAO could distribute a questionnaire soliciting opportunities for new Agreements;
  4. Activate a task force to track and monitor progress in the development of Agreements and collaboration and develop a detailed action plan that defines time frames, responsibilities and costs to implement the recommendations of the International Expert Meeting4;
  5. Develop funding mechanisms to encourage vigorous action that leads to the development of emergency response Agreements;
  6. Establish compatible incident management organisation systems in countries to facilitate the integration of international resources; such mechanisms need to be compatible between them, but do not need to be identical;
  7. Review and expand a “Fire Season Table”, for all countries to show complementing and overlapping fire seasons; the purpose of this information would be to determine availability of resources from other countries, in cases of emergency (example given in Annex 7.);
  8. Continue and strengthen the update and dissemination of forest fire management related information in collaboration with organizations to be determined;
  9. Develop training and briefing programmes for emergency response teams, based upon on-going experiences; and
  10. Catalyze and support the development of emergency simulation response exercises among countries prior to emergency situations arising.

  1. Collaborating Agencies

  1. Participate in the existing initiatives and mechanisms such as the Interagency Task Force Working Group on Wildland Fire of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)5; the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)6; the Joint United Nations OCHA/UNEP Environment Unit7, the Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC), and actively support the development of their programmes, and facilitate linkages within the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) 8 ; and
  2. Prepare a preliminary action plan and time schedule (initially without prioritization) for implementing the above recommendations (see Annex 8.).

 

[ Annex 1 | Annex 2 | Annex 3 | Annex 4 | Annex 5 | Annex 6 | Annex 7 | Annex 8]
[ Appendix 1 | Final Remarks by the Editor ]

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, ANNEX 3 (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001,)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

ANNEX 3

Report of Working Group 1:

Human Resources Development, Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Mechanisms for International Cooperation in Forest Fire Management

The working group addressed issues, constraints and recommended actions to strengthen existing mechanisms, networks and institutional capacity (including human resource development) to enhance cooperation and collaboration in forest fire management at bilateral, regional and international levels. The role of national, regional and international agencies were taken into consideration.

Working Group 1 – Members

Goldammer, J.G. (Germany)
Moore, P.F. (IUCN/WWF)
Musa, S. (Malaysia)
Pontani, D. (Italy)
Stocks, B. J. (Canada)
Troensegaard, J. (Denmark) Viana Soares, R. (Brazil)
Xanthopoulos, G. (Greece)
Efransjah (ITTO)
Sène, E. H. (FAO, Director, FOR)
Palmberg-Lerche, C. (FAO, Chief, FORM)
Carle, J. B. (FAO, FORM)

Observer (part time)

Mr. Dario Morini (see Footnote 8)

Key Issues Addressed – What?

  • The number, scale and impact of forest and vegetation fires had increased in recent times. With negative impacts on livelihoods, human health, biodiversity, forest services and possibly climate change;
  • The existing national organisations and international mechanisms, some of them with significant experience, had struggled to address the problems and complexities of forest fire management; and
  • Much of the work and effort of reviews, missions, studies and international structures had not translated effectively into meaningful and sustained improvement in the management of forest fire around the world.

Major Constraints and Challenges – Why?

Some of the main reasons identified for the above situation were:

  • Lack of national fire policy and its implementation, and lack of recognition and compliance with related international processes and conventions;
  • Low level of awareness among policy makers, decision makers and the public, which led to inadequately resourced institutions lacking adequate focus and capacity;
  • Insufficient human resource capability in most aspects of forest fire management due to inadequate education and training;
  • Existing information and experience was not well known, effectively distributed, understood or socialised (e.g: early warning systems, use of prescribed fire);
  • Fire statistics had not always supported meaningful analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative information and data, which was relevant and useful was required.

Recommended Actions – How to overcome?

FAO/ITTO were requested to support the work with relevant agencies as set out in the following points:

  • Information be made available on techniques, networks, resources, collaboration and approaches to fire management;
  • Develop a data standard that addresses the requirements of national and international fire management reporting needs within the Forest Resources Assessment framework;
  • Facilitate networking and collaboration between countries through identifying or creating national focal points;
  • Exchange experience through institutional twinning;
  • Review ongoing activities in forest fire management by international and regional organisations to clarify linkages, facilitate collaboration and to identify gaps. Key factors being land use policies and practices, knowledge, training, public awareness, institutional arrangements;
  • Identify relevant existing policy level Agreements, mechanisms and networks which could support and strengthen commitment and action on forest fire management;
  • Support activities that bring local people, professionals and policy makers together and build awareness and capacity;
  • Synthesise and support the preparation of country profiles that provide international collaborators and donors and insight into institutional set up, operational responsibilities, and provide basic information without which outside assistance will not be effective or even possible. Aspects to include: political will, governance, security, socio-economic, climate, vegetation, demography, resources (personnel, equipment, funds, information and infrastructure);
  • Improve capacity and capability to prepare for forest fires, particularly for countries that have existing gaps in these attributes such as laws, policy, plans, practices and monitoring; and
  • FAO strengthen its regular programme activities in the field of forest fires through appointment of a full time Forest Fire Officer at FAO Headquarters.

Collaborating agencies (co-ordinating with existing initiatives and mechanisms) – Who?

Noting that a large number of institutes, agencies and mechanisms were active in the field of forest fires, operating at various levels and with different foci, scope, and level of resources, FAO and ITTO, together with partners should discuss and review forest fire-related initiatives, activities and arrangements. These included, among others;

International agencies and organizations, such as:

  • UNESCO
  • WHO
  • UNEP
  • UN University
  • UN/ECE Trade Division
  • World Bank
  • IUCN
  • WWF
  • GFMC

International mechanisms, such as:

  • UNFF and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests
  • Interagency Task Force for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), Working Group on Wildland Fire
  • INSARAG
  • OCHA

Regional mechanisms or policy frameworks, such as:

  • Regional Forestry Commissions coordinated by FAO
  • Silva Mediterranea
  • CIHEAM
  • ECE/FAO/ILO Team of Specialists on Forest Fire
  • Baltic Fire
  • SADC, CILSS, IGAD, ASEAN, CCAD

Scheduling and Cost Estimates

The Group recognised the need to develop a time scale for recommended priority action, and to develop corresponding cost estimates or approximations, the Group requested that FAO, in collaboration with ITTO and other international partners, develop a provisional framework plan for further discussion and elaboration.

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, ANNEX 4 (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

ANNEX 4

Report of Working Group 2:

Inter-Country Agreements to Share Resources in Emergencies

The working group addressed issues, constraints and recommend actions relating to inter-country Agreements to establish operational procedures and share resources, information, personnel and equipment in situations of emergency. This would include review of the feasibility to share heavy land and aerial equipment and prospects for development on a wider geographic basis.

Working Group 2 (Legal Instruments)

Balatsos, P. (Greece)
Bekele, M. (Ethiopia)
Cedeño Sánchez, O. (Mexico)
Heine, J. (South Africa)
Kizmaz, M. (Turkey)
Mutch, R. (USA)
Sanhueza, P. (Chile)

Sneeuwjagt, R. (Australia)
Vélez Muñoz, R. (Spain)
Paveri, M. (FAO, Chief, FONP)
Mekouar, A. (FAO, LEGN)
Allard, G. (FAO, FORM)
Malagnoux, M. (FAO, FORC)

Forest Fire Emergency Cooperation Agreements

The Group identified the existence of a number of Forest Fire Emergency Co-operation Agreements at various levels, including:-

  • in-country Agreements
  • central level
  • local level
  • bilateral Agreements; and
  • multilateral Agreements

A list of Agreements known to exist and referred to by the experts in given in Annex 5.

It will be necessary to use the comprehensive and proven instruments as base documents for other countries seeking or providing assistance to derive their own Agreements suited to their unique circumstances.

Key contents to be considered by countries as a base for preparation of their Agreements are listed in Annex 6.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Considering that:

Forest fire management was closely linked to sustainable forest management practices;

Member countries were strongly encouraged to establish sustainable forest management policies and practices to reduce the flammability of forests. If sustainable practices were not established, then emergency responses of any kind would ultimately fail;

Member countries were encouraged to activate strong and effective fire prevention campaigns. It was better to prevent a wildfire than fight one. Prevention implies public awareness, equipment and infrastructure preparation, enforcement and fire fuel management;

Member countries were encouraged to develop effective emergency response procedures internally, so that they would be able to more effectively receive outside assistance;

Widespread emergencies in recent years in all regions of the world had underscored the importance of having International Agreements established in advance of fires;

Efficient emergency assistance required prior planning among all parties due to the nature of forest fires to prepare personnel, organisation, equipment, procedures, etc.

It was recommended that FAO and ITTO and other relevant partners:

  • Develop Agreements bilaterally and multilaterally (at regional or global levels, as appropriate), with due consideration to conditions which may vary region by region;
  • Encourage the development of new Agreements through existing regional and other mechanisms. taking into consideration experiences to date;
  • Provide technical support to member countries in development of Agreements at national and regional levels;
  • Compile an inventory of existing Agreements to serve as models for others. In this regard, FAO may consider distributing a questionnaire soliciting opportunities for new Agreements;
  • Activate a task force to track and monitor progress in the development of Agreements and develop an action plan that defines objectives, outputs, activities, inputs, costs, timeframes and responsibilities to implement the recommendations of the International Expert Meeting;
  • Review possibilities for developing appropriate funding mechanisms to encourage action leading to the development of Agreements;
  • Assist countries to describe and establish mutually compatible incident management organisation systems to facilitate the integration of international resources;
  • Review and apply regional or eco-regional, or global, “Fire Season Tables”, showing coincidence of overlapping fire seasons in determining availability of international resources (example given in Annex 7.);
  • Review the possibilities to coordinate the tasks of information updates and sharing;
  • Review recommendations and identify appropriate organizations and agencies to take action;
  • Develop training, technical exchanges and briefing programmes between countries in non-crisis situations in preparation for emergency response;
  • Develop emergency simulation response exercises among countries;
  • Assist to establish an international forest fire information centre to facilitiate the sharing of world-wide information among all partners regarding such items as: Agreements, resources availability, contact points, etc. This centre would provide real time situation reports and conditions. In addition, the centre would be institutionalized to provide an advisory role in assisting countries to develop Agreements and respond to emergencies;
  • Disseminate information on issues and experiences in the use of volunteers, local communities and other resources in prevention and remedial action in forest fire management;.
  • Disseminate information and support training in the application of airborne and remote sensing technologies as tools in integrated fire management.

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, ANNEX 5 (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

ANNEX 5

Tabel 1. Some Existing Agreements for Mutual Assistance and Emergency Response 11

Agreement Type

Country

Agreement Partner Descriptions

In-country

USA

National, with individual States (National Wildfire Coordinating Group
National with Military

Mexico

Federal Government with individual States

Federal (SEMARNAP) with Military

Chile

National Government with Regions

National Government with Private Sector

Bilateral Agreements between Regions

Bilateral Agreements between Regions and Private Sector

Private to Private Sector Agreements

Other Agreements with Armed Forces, Fire Brigades etc

Australia

Federal Government with individual States (large emergencies)

State to State agreements

South Africa

Agreements with Military

Agreements between Provinces and National Government (under formulation)

France

Prevention done within Forestry Sector

Fire Suppression under Civil Society (Military Corps)

Centralized authority decides how, without formal Agreements

Local Authorities have local mechanisms to share resources

Ethiopia

Individual Regions responsible

Federal level have funds for Emergency Plans to share resources

Spain

National Coordinating Committee establishes rules for Sharing Central Government resources to fight fire when Autonomous Region resources need

Bilateral Agreements between Regions (principle of single command, each agency covers costs of services provided)

Agreements with Armed Forces

Greece

Resources centrally allocated in cooperation with Districts for fire suppression

Prevention: National leadership with funding to Regions

Involvement of Local Authorities through personnel, volunteers

Regions have Emergency Plans communicated to National Government

Bilateral Agreements

Spain

Portugal, France and Morocco (Aircraft and equipment), West Mediterranean
Specific Coordinating Centre in each Country, Cost paid by receiving countries

USA

USA with Mexico

USA with Canada

USA and Canada with Australia and New Zealand (under preparation)

Chile

Chile with Argentina

Turkey

Central Government, Memo of Understanding with Other Countries for Fire Resources, allocated centrally and distributed at the local level

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, ANNEX 6 (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

ANNEX 6

Provisional 12 Legal and Operational Checklists for Developing Forest Fire Emergency Agreements (Bilateral or Multi-lateral)

  1. National Legislation promoting International Agreements and establishing the framework for such Agreements (This requirement may vary by country in terms of process)

  1. An example exists between Canada and USA
  2. An example exists between USA and Mexico

  1. Annual Operating Plan specifying details of how to accomplish emergency assistance.

  2. Protocols to promote technical exchanges of personnel between countries (a non-emergency assistance)

 

I National Legislation or Other Enabling Protocols for Establishing Contents (Elements) for Agreements:

  1. Establish Agreements between Governments for emergency assistance if they do not exist. Determine appropriate channels for establishing Agreements. This will differ by country as how this is to be done.
  2. Identify the Central Agency or Contact Point to coordinate the exchange of resources.
  3. Specify Sending Party and Receiving Party.
  4. Specify type of resources that may be sent or received.
  5. Specify how costs will be allocated. Usually Receiving Party pays.
  6. Specify time for reimbursements.
  7. Specify who controls resources.
  8. Specify how to cover losses and damages.
  9. Specify the process for recalling resources to return them to sending party.
  10. Specify Liability arrangements for damages (both ways). Fatal accidents, insurance, etc.
  11. Specify qualifications of people.
  12. Specify how to mediate disputes.

Note: Principle for success: Good will and practical solutions are essential in developing Agreements

 

II Checklist for Annual Operating Plan to Provide Emergency Fire Assistance (Bilaterally or Multi-laterally)

  1. State purpose of assistance.
  2. Cite authorities.
  3. Detail general procedures
  1. Who requests (how?)
  2. Reimbursements
  3. Identify types of resources
  4. Personnel
  1. Daily rate and pay
  2. Lodging
  3. Meals and travel
  4. Medical costs, insurance coverage
  5. Safety, health and welfare
  6. Safety equipment
  7. Who provides liaison?
  8. Compensation claims for death and injury
  9. Specify indemnity procedures
  1. Equipment and supplies.
  2. Billing and payment procedures and currencies.
  3. Situation reporting daily.
  4. Authorization, signatures.
  5. Process for re-call of resources.
  6. Customs considerations.
  7. Resolution of logistical limitations and constraints.

Note 1: Successful emergency assistance requires careful prior planning and review.

Note 2: Elements may need to be adapted to suit the conditions existing in different countries

 

III Protocols for Technical Exchanges of Personnel Among Countries

  1. Authority
  2. Qualifications and Objectives
  3. Requests
  4. Procedures and Payment (loss, damage, injury)
  5. Documentation report that evaluates the exchange
  6. Signatures for Approval

Additional Notes:

Agreements, Operational Plans and Protocols could be to:

  1. Provide for exchanges of technical information, not people, on a recurring basis.
  2. Share information regarding individual serious fires to other partners.
  3. Exchange information regarding technical support in fighting fires from private vendors who supply equipment.
  4. Consider contract requirements for aircraft.
  5. Determine responsibilities and opportunities for providing technical assistance to developing countries. Identify countries or organizations to provide such assistance.

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, ANNEX 8 (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

ANNEX 8

Provisional action plan and schedule for implementation of recommendations (In accordance with expert meeting recommendation, no attempt was made to prioritize actions)

Recommended

Provisional Time Schedule of Actions by Month – starting April 2001

Actions

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Policy

(i)

                                               

(ii)

                                               

Technical Support

(i)

                                               

(ii)

                                               

(iii)

                                               

(iv)

                                               

(v)

                                               

(vi)

                                               

Information & Data Base

(i)

                                               

(ii)

                                               

(iii)

                                               

(iv)

                                               

(v)

                                               

Emergency Response

(i)

                                               

(ii)

                                               

(iii)

                                               

(iv)

                                               

(v)

                                               

(vi)

                                               

(vii)

                                               

(viii)

                                               

(ix)

                                               

(x)

                                               

Collaborating Agencies

(i)

                                               

(ii)

                                               

 

Legend:

  Approximate Duration of Activity  

Continuous Activity

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, REMARKS (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

FINAL REMARKS BY THE EDITOR

A summary of this report of the expert meeting was submitted to the 15th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO), which met at the FAO, Rome 12-16 March 2001. The draft report of the COFO meeting includes the follwoings statements (extracts):

In relation to FAO Programmes in the Forestry Sector:

“The Committee felt that the FAO should facilitate the exchange of information within and amongst countries about successful approaches to forest management, given that this flow of information is essential to serve the cause of sustainable forest management. It also took note of the serious threat that amongst others, forest fires and forest diseases are posing to forests. It therefore requested FAO to provide better support to National Forestry Programmes in this regard.”

In relation to FAO’s Medium Term Plan:

“The Committee emphasized other important areas of work; including support to countries with low forest cover and efforts to combat desertification; management of wild fauna; forest fire management; combating of illegal activities in the forest sector; forests and water management; and development of non-wood forest products. “

In relation to sustainable forest management:

“In relation to sustainable forest management, the Committee was informed of the results of the International Expert Consultation on the Management of Forest Fires. The Committee took note of the important conclusions and recommendations of the meeting, and urged that FAO take follow-up action to support efforts in fire management.”

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News from the UN: Report on the FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management, FOOTNOTES (IFFN No. 24 – April 2001)

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Report on the
FAO/ITTO International Expert Meeting on Forest Fire Management
Rome, Italy, 7-9 March 2001

(IFFN No. 24 – April 2001, 78-98)

FOOTNOTES

ANNEX 1

  1. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of an country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the permission of the copyright owner. Applications for such permission, with a statement of the purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, Publications Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy. © FAO 2001.
    The printed report is available in five languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese). A list of acronyms is given at the end of this report.

  2. Available from Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department, FAO, Rome (Italy).

  3. Agreements for mutual assistance in preparation for, and emergency response to, fire events.

  4. See Annex 8 for a preliminary draft action plan and timeframe.

  5. Mandate to prevent and reduce natural disasters, including wildland fires.

  6. Mandate to coordinate on-site response to emergencies, including wildland fires. An International Search and Rescue Convention is currently being prepared to explicitly include a wildland fire emergency component.

  7. Mandate to coordinate international response to natural disasters, including wildland fire.

  8. Mandate to advance implementation and monitor progress in agreed actions for sustainable forest management and to enhance international cooperation on forest-related issues, including wildland fires.

ANNEX 2

  1. Joined, in some sessions, by Mr. Dario Morini, Centro Coordinamento Aereo Unificato, Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (Rome, Italy)

  2. A number of other colleagues from the Forestry Department attended the Opening and part of the sessions of the meeting.

ANNEX 5

  1. Agreements list derived by Expert Consultative Working Group 2.

ANNEX 6

  1. Provisional Checklist Derived by Expert Consultative Working Group 2.

ANNEX 7

  1. Selection of “Fire Seasons” derived by participants at the Expert Consultative Group Meeting.

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Final Report of the FAO Consultation “Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires” (IFFN No. 20 – March 1999)

Final Report of the FAO Consultation “Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires”

(IFFN No. 20 – March 1999,p. 80-84)

Seventy-one participants from thirty three countries and thirteen international organisations, drawn from many different sectors including the private sector and NGOs, and representing a wide range of land use and other disciplines, met at FAO Headquarters from 28 to 30 October 1998 to:

  • identify, analyse and discuss the public policies which contribute to forest fires

  • collate information from institutions dealing with forest fires

  • produce recommendations on planning and policies for fire prevention, control, mitigation, rehabilitation measures

  • provide a strong message to member countries through FAO (as neutral forum) on policy issues related to fire

  • suggest actions to be taken by countries through a statement to the forestry ministers who will meet in Rome in March 1999.

This report is based on the outputs of the meeting.

1 Preamble

Nearly all countries, in every stage of economic development, and in every eco-region, are suffering the environmental, social and economic consequences of forest fires. These consequences have broader implications beyond the forest itself and beyond national boundaries, including tragic impacts on human health and lives. The recent occurrences of drought associated with the El Niño phenomenon have brought the effects of forest fires to the world’s attention.

But the effects of fires are not all negative. Fire is a natural process that influences and is integral to many ecosystems which have evolved in response to the effects of fire. Traditional knowledge of fire as a tool is deeply embedded in the cultures of developing and developed countries alike. Fire is still essential for land clearing to meet the food requirements of most developing countries and as part of their development process, while in other countries fire is used to achieve a wide variety of resource management objectives.

Reconciling the positive roles of fire as a servant of humankind and the negative effects if fire becomes the master are among the important challenges to policy makers in sustainable forest and land use management.

2 Present situation

The present situation of national policy development in response to wildfires is often of ad hoc reaction to a situation that has already developed, rather than proactive mitigation before the emergency arises. Frequently policy development does not consider the underlying causes of fire incidence and spread which may lie outside the forest sector, such as rural poverty and deprivation, or the effects of other public policies related to land use and incentives. Sometimes forest fire incidence and spread may be caused by ill-conceived forest management policies, in particular policies of total fire exclusion that have led to fuel accumulation and catastrophic fire outbreaks.

In general, land-use policy development is seldom based on reliable data or information on the implications of forest fire extent or causes, nor has it involved consultative or participatory processes with those most closely involved and affected. Even where policies linked to reducing the incidence and damage of forest fires are in place, there may be institutional weaknesses that do not allow them to be enforced, arising from shortage of public funding due to political instability or economic weaknesses.

3 Preliminary action needed to develop public policies related to fire management and sustainable land use practices

There is a need for reliable and up to date systems for national, regional and global fire reporting, analysis and storage of data. Such data, and information on fire causes and socio-economic and environmental effects, are required as a sound basis for policy making. Linked to these is the requirement for international agreement on terms and definitions as a basis for information-sharing and communication.

Information on resource management alternatives and their consequences is essential for involvement of all stakeholders in policy formulation and development.

4 Conclusions and recommendations to member countries regarding the principles for policies for sustainable land or forest use related to the reduction, mitigation and control of wildfires and the use of prescribed fires

No single formula can cover the wide range of ecological, socio-economic, and cultural conditions that exist between and within regions, nor the different objectives that different societies will decide. But there exist certain broad principles common to all situations and objectives, which include the following:

  • The formulation of national and regional policies specifically addressing forest fires, as an integral component of land-use policies, where they previously did not exist.

  • Flexibility in policy implementation, and the capability to review and revise fire-related policies

  • Clear and measurable policy objectives and implementation strategies are needed to minimise the many adverse effects of uncontrolled fires and to maximise the benefits from fire prevention, or from the controlled use of fire. Such objectives and implementation strategies would provide for sustainable land use practices, compatible inter-sectoral policies, joint fire management responsibilities at the community level, and the participation of the private sector and NGOs.

  • Involvement of all stakeholders in policy development, especially through devolved or community forestry approaches. Recognition by decision-makers that sustainable land management may in many instances only be attained through devolution of control of forest resources and the involvement of the communities adjacent to or within forest in all aspects of management and fire protection. Such devolved approaches will require the revision of existing policies and laws and introduction of appropriate land-tenure arrangements to provide incentives for equitable local/community based participation in forest management and fire protection and control.

  • A favourable policy environment must be created for all aspects of systematic fire management (prevention, detection, suppression, prescribed fire, post-fire rehabilitation etc.) and for an appropriate balance between prevention, suppression and prescribed fire use, based on local conditions. Such an environment should attempt to quantify the monetary and non-market values in order to emphasise the costs and benefits to society and to decision-makers.

  • Policies are required for other forms of land-use, in particular credit policies should encourage land-use options that do not further contribute to deforestation.

  • Policies that tend to increase forest fires must consider public health effects. Policies concerned with maintaining the health of ecosystems that are fire-adapted may have to balance public health and forest health issues.

  • Land-use policies may have to consider the need for appropriate incentives and subsidies to promote fire prevention.

Some technical aspects may support policy formulation and implementation. They include:

Systematic or Integrated Fire Management

  • devote more human and financial resources on fire prevention than at present in order to reduce the subsequent need and expense for fire suppression;

  • policies should promote and regulate prescribed fire for a variety of land management purposes, including the reduction of hazardous fuels, and should promote public understanding of the purposes of prescribed burning (The perverse effect of provisions of the Kyoto Protocol of the Framework Convention on Climate Change regarding carbon emissions arising from prescribed burning in Annex 1 countries was noted. Prescribed fires are caused by humans and thus count as emissions against a country’s carbon balance, while a disastrous fire that arises naturally because of a failure to reduce fuel loads does not.);

  • policies should define the process whereby fire management plans are developed to achieve the resource management objectives of conservation units;

  • develop educational, extension, and public awareness programmes on fire in general and on policy-related matters in particular, appropriate to the needs of various stakeholders;

  • vigorous training programmes in all aspects of fire management and at all levels including volunteer community fire-fighting brigades and the training of farmers in safe fire use;

  • integration of fire management planning with inter-sectoral resource planning;

  • encourage silvicultural practices that sustain healthy ecosystems which in turn reduce the impacts of fires;

  • develop policies for a fire command structure that clearly delineates authorities and responsibilities of the various agencies involved;

  • considering the threat from fires burning in radioactively contaminated vegetation a special fire management programme must be developed for the radioactively contaminated regions in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus with high priority. This would include also careful recording of data and experience for any future similar emergency.

Institutional Co-operation

  • encourage fire management cost-sharing among all relevant stakeholders at all levels;

  • develop inter-sectoral co-operation at national and local levels;

  • develop international agreements that facilitate the exchange of expertise;

  • develop capacity building in fire management.

Restoration / Rehabilitation

  • salvage useable resources following fires;

  • encourage natural recovery through protection whenever possible for the purpose of maintaining genetic integrity;

  • undertake re-stocking where necessary;

  • restore the infrastructure and rehabilitate local communities.

Technology / Research / Information

New technologies offer the means to introduce new and more environmentally and socially acceptable land use management policies; particular attention is drawn to “zero-burning” land clearing techniques.

Fire research at national and regional levels needs to be strengthened in order to support development of fire policies and fire management capabilities, especially related to investigations into socio-economic and cultural aspects of fire outbreaks. Fire research is needed into a number of topics:

  • the development of new dedicated space-borne remote sensing technologies for improving decision support in fire management including sensor technologies for fire detection and early warning of fire.

  • post-fire recovery techniques and fire effects and ecosystem recovery processes.

  • the impact of climate change on fire regimes and fire severity.

Existing accumulated experience should not be neglected, and local indigenous knowledge should be acquired on traditional fire related cultures and customs as a guide for fire management practices and policies.

Evaluation systems should be developed to assess fire damage and benefits and to draw attention to the true costs and benefits of fires.

Policies and techniques that aim to increase agricultural productivity, while providing and enforcing disincentives for reckless programmes, will slow forest conversion for unsustainable agriculture and will thus reduce forest fire damage.

5 Conclusions and recommendations to FAO and international organisations

There are many international organisations, including FAO, other UN-agencies and NGOs, involved in forest fire-related activities at global and regional levels. Continued and improved collaboration and co-ordination are urged.

Transboundary or regional agreements for collaboration in fire management need to be developed, with the technical and financial support of international organisations.

International organisations are further urged to support the design and implementation of a global fire inventory or reporting system, in close collaboration with the fire science community and end-users. An internationally harmonised fire management terminology is required to support such global or regional fire reporting systems.

A global fire information system is needed to provide immediate access to real-time data and information on current fires, archived information, and other sources which are needed by countries to develop fire management programmes, increase preparedness and respond to outbreaks at national, regional and global levels.

FAO and other international organisations should play a catalytic role in the establishment of networks, to promote the sharing of information and knowledge and technical co-operation between developing countries. Sufficient resources should be allocated for these purposes.

Guidelines and codes of practice for fire prevention and control are also required, not only in the forest sector but in any sector that could impact on forest fires (e.g. road alignments, power lines).

Technical assistance, from FAO or other international organisations, is still required, particularly in institutional support and capacity-building.

***

In preparation of the expert meeting in Rome a current global state-of-the knowledge summary on “Public Policies Affecting Fire” was prepared by the FAO. Five regional reports which cover (1) Europe and temperate-boreal Asia, (2) the Mediterranean region, (3) Africa, (4) Asia-Pacific, and (5) the Americas will be published as conference proceedings. They will be ready by May 1999. The official contact address for the proceedings is:

 

Gillian Allard
Forestry Officer (Protection) Forest Resources Development Service
Forest Resources Division, Forestry Department
FAO
Via delle Terme di Caracalla
I – 00100 Rome
ITALY Fax: ++39-06-57055137
Tel: ++39-06-57053373
e-mail: gillian.allard@fao.org

IFFN No. 20

 

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FAO Ministerial Meeting on Forestry on “Sustainability Issues in Forestry, the National and International Challenges” (IFFN No. 20 – March 1999)

FAO Ministerial Meeting on Forestry on
“Sustainability Issues in Forestry, the National and International Challenges”

(IFFN No. 20 – March 1999,p. 84-86)

The FAO convened the Ministerial Meeting on Forestry on “Sustainability Issues in Forestry, the National and International Challenges”, Rome, 8-9 March 1999. On 9 March 1999 the Forest Ministers released the “Rome Declaration on Forestry”. The statements regarding forest fires are based on the resumée “Global Action to Address Forest Fires” which was a summary of the recommendations of the Expert Meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires (FAO, Rome, October 1998). The Ministerial Meeting, among other, welcomed the recommendations the Fourteenth Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) (Rome, 2 March 1999) and encouraged their endorsement by the FAO Council with a view to facilitating their early implementation.

Rome Declaration on Forestry of 9 March 1999

We, the ministers responsible for forests or their representatives who met at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy on 8 and 9 March 1999 at the second Ministerial Meeting on Forestry under the sponsorship of the FAO, to consider “Sustainability Issues in Forestry, the National and International Challenges,”

  • emphasizing the critical importance of forests to the welfare, livelihood and food security of all people and future generations and to the life support system of the entire planet, as set forth in the 1995 Rome Statement on Forestry and in the 1996 World Food Summit Plan of Action,

  • deeply concerned with the important challenges associated with forest loss and degradation in many regions and stressing the need to maintain the integrity of forests as ecosystems by promoting sustainable forest management worldwide,

  • noting that this Ministerial Meeting was convened by the Director-General of FAO to highlight the critical need to make national and international progress toward the sustainable management of the world’s forests, and to consider international instruments to support sustainable forest management, global action to address forest fires, and the Strategic Framework for FAO 2000 – 2015,

  • welcoming the progress made to date on sustainable forest management, including FAO’s role in the assessment of forest resources, and the significant achievements at national, regional and international levels, including the development and implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and of national forest programmes,

  • noting that the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF), which was established under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development with a time-limited mandate, is considering issues related to sustainable forest management, including international arrangements and mechanisms,

  • also noting a range of options for international arrangements and mechanisms to support sustainable forest management, including voluntary, incentive-based approaches; private sector initiatives; regional agreements and initiatives; and global legally binding and non-legally binding instruments,

  • further noting that a number of international arrangements and mechanisms already exist which address and have implications for the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable forest management, and that the need for and nature of future international arrangements and mechanisms should be considered in more depth by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development at its eighth session in the year 2000 as a matter of priority,

  • recognize that this Ministerial Meeting provides an opportunity to exchange views on international arrangements and mechanisms and provide high level political support to the ongoing discussions at the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests,

  • call on FAO to facilitate and give support to national, regional and international processes related to forests, especially enhancing the implementation of national forest programmes and criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management,

  • noting that the causes of forest fires are many and complex and recognizing the need to harness efforts to prevent forest fires as well as to address the multiple causes and consequences of fires around the globe,

  • welcome the meeting on Public Policies Affecting Forest Fires hosted by FAO in October 1998 and encourage FAO to take action to implement the recommendations directed to it,

  • call on FAO and other international organizations, donor agencies and interested countries to work together to address the underlying causes of forest fires, to improve the coordination of their efforts to prevent and combat forest fires and to rehabilitate affected areas with a view to providing assistance requested by governments,

  • noting the draft Strategic Framework for FAO 2000 – 2015 that will be considered by the FAO Conference in November 1999 highlights the critical need for countries to implement integrated approaches to sustainable development, including combatting desertification and drought, which recognize the importance of the sustainable management of forests and their ecosystems in achieving sustainable agriculture and food security,

  • also noting that forests can be adversely affected by policies outside the forest sector, including agriculture and trade policies, and recognize the need for integrated land use and mutually supportive trade and environment policies in support of sustainable forest management,

  • underscore the importance of inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches to forest management, participatory decision making in development taking into account gender balance, and increased cooperation, including through partnerships, between the public and private sectors to achieve sustainable forest management and sustainable development,

  • encourage national, regional and international efforts to increase public awareness of the importance of forests and strengthen education, research, extension and the dissemination of knowledge and information to improve forest management,

  • call on all interested parties to give greater priority to sustainable forest management; reaffirm the proposals for action agreed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests regarding international co-operation in financial assistance and technology transfer; recognize the need to build capacity for sustainable forest management in public and private sectors at local, national and international levels; and urge FAO to allocate adequate financial resources to forestry,

  • welcome the recommendations the Fourteenth Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) and encouraged their endorsement by the FAO Council with a view to facilitating their early implementation.

We pledge our political will to bear on improving forest management in our respective countries and to promote effective international cooperation to achieve sustainable forest management worldwide.

We further pledge

  • to work together towards a constructive and forward looking outcome on future arrangements for the global forest policy dialogue at the eighth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development;

  • to better co-ordinate and strengthen our efforts to prevent, manage, monitor and suppress forest fires especially in anticipation of the next El Niño/La Niña events and, in the longer term, to address the underlying causes of forest fires;

  • to work closely with our counterparts in other ministries in our countries to promote cross-sectoral policies and activities that support sustainable forest management.

IFFN No. 20

 

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