1. Strengthening FAO’s contribution to the International Arrangement on Forests COFO 2016 Agenda item 8 Document COFO/2016/8.2 Peter Csoka

2. UNFF invitations for action ECOSOC Resolution (E/RES/2015/33), on the International Arrangement on Forests beyond 2015, envisages an important role for member organizations of the CPF in the future IAF The Resolution also: – specifies the core functions of the CPF – reaffirms certain operational principles for the CPF – seeks enhanced support for CPF activities by governing bodies of member organizations and Member States as members of those governing bodies.

3. FAO contribution as Chair of the CPF As chair of the CPF, FAO is working with other members so that CPF can develop its response to the Resolution, for example by: – Formalizing working modalities and procedures – Stimulating participation of existing members – Assessing current and future membership – Identifying ways to involve major groups and other stakeholders – Development and expansion of thematic joint activities – Securing appropriate funding – Development of a work plan in the context of the broader IAF Strategic Plan and quadrennial programmes of work

4. FAO contribution as a CPF member With its cross-sectoral perspective of natural resource management, FAO can contribute to the global dialogue, for example through: – COFO consideration of land use challenges and opportunities – Discussion of strategies for implementation of 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement by the various technical committees – Consideration of forest and food security nexus by the Committee on World Food Security At the operational level, FAO serves as the major source of global forest information and analyses, for example through: – Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) – State of the World’s Forests (SOFO)

5. FAO contribution through its regional network The ECOSOC Resolution on the future IAF also calls for strengthened regional and sub-regional involvement With its regional network and relevant country presence, FAO can play a major role. For example: – The regional focus of UNFF work could be strengthened through greater interaction with regional forestry commissions, including stronger harmonization of meeting frequencies, planning cycles and agendas – Regional Commissions could provide a platform for both stronger coordination of, and collaboration in, regional actions aimed at the implementation of the UN Forest Instrument, as well as for a regional dialogue within the IAF

6. Points for consideration The Committee may wish to invite UNFF to: – consider SOFO, FRA and other major knowledge and analytical products of FAO and those of the CPF as major inputs for its review sessions – consider the potential offered by the FAO regional forestry commissions for enhancing regional/sub-regional involvement, including through using the commissions for regional dialogues related to UNFF. The Committee may wish to request FAO to: – continue to support the implementation of the UNFF decisions and related ECOSOC resolutions and provide support to Members in this regard – continue its leadership in the CPF, including through playing an active role in implementing the provisions for strengthening the Partnership – include in its Medium Term Plan and Programme of Work and Budget activities related to CPF and allocate adequate resources to this end.