Peter Gondo

Session1: INTRODUCTION TO THE NLBI/FOREST INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN OF THE NLBI PURPOSE OF THE NLBI G UIDING P RINCIPLES OF THE NLBI National policies and measures of the NLBI 2

BACKGROUND AND ORIGIN OF THE NLBI Forests cover one third of the world’s land area 4billion ha; India- 78 million ha (68million ha 2010FRA) 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood – High rate of deforestation -13 million ha. p.a. (-0.1% – India- afforestation rate of 0.21% p.a. – 17% of GHG emissions (global) – < 6% under management – US$ trillion in lost revenue (TEEB 2010) – Finding ways to ensure that forests benefit present and future generations is the essence of sustainable forest management. 3

A milestone event -Rio conventions (UNFCC, CBD, UNCCD) -Agenda 21 -Forest Principles IPF/IFF proposals for action UNFF (2000) Global objectives on Forests (2006) NLBI (2007)

United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution E/2000/35, (2000) International arrangement on forests Establishing the UNFF as subsidiary body of ECOSOC Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) Facilitative Process Multi-stakeholder dialogue Objectives: Promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests Strengthen long-term political commitment 5

Principal functions of UNFF Facilitate implementation of forest-related agreements and foster common understanding SFM Provide for continued policy development and dialogue among Governments, international organizations, and major groups, to address forest issues and emerging areas of concern in a holistic, comprehensive and integrated manner, Enhance cooperation, policy and programme coordination on forest-related issues Foster international cooperation Monitor, assess and report on progress 6

UNFF functions Strengthen political commitment to SFM Enhance contribution of forests to achievement of the internationally agreed development goals,( MDGs, Johannesburg Declaration and the JPI of the WSSD), Encourage and assist countries develop and implement SFM strategies, Strengthen interaction between the UNFF, relevant regional and sub regional forest-related mechanisms, institutions and instruments, organizations and processes, 7

Global Objectives on Forests (2006) Reverse the loss of forest cover Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits Increase the area of sustainably managed forests and proportion of products from sustainably managed forests Reverse the decline in official development assistance (ODA) 8

Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All types of forests (NLBI) Forest Instrument May 2007; Why NLBI? Forests and trees provide multiple economic, social and environmental benefits Existing consensus on forests: Forest principles, IPF/IFF proposals for action, resolutions and decisions of UNFF; Impact of climate change on forests, contribution of forests to addressing climate change 9

Why NLBI Need to strengthen political commitment and collective efforts at all levels Mobilize increased financial resources, capacity development and transfer of technology No agreement on Forest Convention or other legal arrangement Keep international forest dialogue alive in absence of legally binding agreement 10

Purpose of the Forest Instrument (FI) Strengthen political commitment and action for SFM at all levels to implement SFM and achieve the shared global objectives on forests Enhance contribution of forests to achievement of internationally agreed development goals including MDGs especially poverty eradication and environmental sustainability Provide a framework for national action and international cooperation. 11

Guiding Principles The instrument is voluntary and non-legally binding Each State is responsible for the sustainable management of its forests and for the enforcement of its forest-related laws Major groups, local communities, forest owners and other relevant stakeholders should be involved in a transparent and participatory way Achieving SFM depends on significantly increased, new and additional financial resources Achieving SFM also depends on good governance International cooperation is crucial 12

Components National policies and measures International cooperation and means of implementation 13

National policies and measures Develop and implement NFPs or similar strategies for SFM and integrate them into strategies for sustainable development incl. PRS Consider the seven thematic elements of SFM Promote the use of management tools to assess the environmental impact; promote good environmental practices Develop/implement policies that encourage SFM to provide a wide range of goods and services, contribute to poverty reduction and the development of rural communities Promote efficient production and processing of forest products 14

National policies and measures Support the protection and use of traditional forest- related knowledge and practices incl. fair and equitable sharing of benefits Further develop and implement C&I for SFM Create enabling environments for investment by private sector, communities + other forest Develop financing strategies taking into account all funding sources Encourage recognition of range of values from forests and ways to reflect such values in the marketplace 15

National policies and measures Enhance cross sectoral policy and programme coordination to integrate the forest sector into national decision-making processes Integrate national forest programmes or other strategies of SFM into national sustainable development strategies e.g. PRSs Establish or strengthen partnerships and joint programmes with stakeholders Review and improve forest legislation, strengthen forest law enforcement, promote good governance Address threats to forest health and vitality from natural disasters and human activities 16

National policies and measures Develop or expand, and maintain networks of protected forest areas Assess the conditions and management effectiveness of existing protected areas Strengthen the contribution of science and research in advancing SFM; Promote the development and application of scientific and technological innovations, incl. for local communities Strengthen public understanding of the importance and benefits of forests and SFM 17

National policies and measures Promote access to and support formal and informal education, extension and training, for implementation of SFM Support education, training and extension programmes involving local and indigenous communities, forest workers and forest owners Promote active and effective participation of major groups, local communities, forest owners and other relevant stakeholders 18

National policies and measures Encourage the private sector and civil society organizations to implement voluntary instruments such as certification, Enhance access by households, small-scale forest owners and communities to forest resources and markets 19

Monitoring, assessment and reporting Member states noted importance of monitoring and reporting and agreed as follows: Member States should monitor and assess progress on the instrument. Member States should submit, on a voluntary basis, taking into account availability of resources and the requirements of other bodies or instruments, national progress reports to the Forum. 20

Exercise 1.1: Relating existing national forestry development framework to the NLBI policies and measures In country groups, participants should indicate the type of forest development framework they are using i.e. NFP, Forest Master Plan or other equivalent and when it was developed or adopted. Which of the national policies and measures are being implemented in your country? This exercise will help participants to reflect and relate the policies and measures to their own situations. Time: This exercise should take 45 minutes 21

22

23