1. Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification To support the North American Forest Commission by fostering competitiveness and diversification in the forest sector through interdisciplinary research Al Mitchell, Canadian Forest Service A presentation for the Commissioners of the North American Forest Commission, June 9-13, 2008, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2. Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification “The most important uncertainty hindering decision making was the inability to provide adequate scientific information to answer a number of important policy questions related to ecosystem services and human well-being. “ Source: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report Source: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report

3. Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification Including the forest in the value chain Optimizing fibre value from markets through products and back to the source of raw materials

4. Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification Three elements for sustainable production of high value fibre: Optimization – segregating the forest resource Optimization – segregating the forest resource Utilization – diversifying forest goods and services Utilization – diversifying forest goods and services Production – growing fibre for the future Production – growing fibre for the future

5. Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification Expected Outcomes: Sufficient working forest lands are sustained Sufficient working forest lands are sustained The North American forest sector is competitive The North American forest sector is competitive Forest outputs and services are diversified Forest outputs and services are diversified Current and future societal demands are met Current and future societal demands are met

6. Activity streams (2008-2010) Planning – timelines and deliverables Problem definition – concept and focus Environmental scan – gap analysis Partnerships and Collaboration – NAFC WG Knowledge transfer – Workshop Forest Sector competitiveness and diversification

7. Proposed activities and timelines (2008-2010) Activities2008 2009 2010 Theme presentation to NAFC X Work plan X Literature review and gap analysis X Integrated WG planning meeting X Workshop on valuation systems X Knowledge transfer and exchange X Forest Sector competitiveness and diversification

8. Deliverables and resources (2008) Work plan Literature review and gap analysis Catalog of research sites Integrated WG meeting Workshop on valuation systems Knowledge transfer and exchange Forest Sector competitiveness and diversification

9. Thanks to the people who helped formulate the Forest Sector Competitiveness and Diversification Theme Silviculture Working Group Al Mitchell, Margaret Devall, Martin Mendoza, Marilyn Buford, Eladio Cornejo Inventory and Monitoring Working Group John Shaw Atmospheric Change Working Group Pete Lahm FAO Doug Kneeland BOA Liaison Rick Scott