UNFF18: Sustainable Forest management takes centre stage

UNFF18: Sustainable Forest management takes centre stage

Subject: Environment

Section: Conventions

Context: Discussions on integrated policies on sustainable forest management (SFM) and energy to meet the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) took centre stage on the fourth day of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF18).

More on the News:

• The delegates at the eighteenth session of UNFF18 in New York, discussed the contributions of SFM to energy, livelihoods and the SDGs.
• Executive director of the International Tropical Timber Organization, emphasised its mandate to practice SFM in tropical regions.
• Saudi Arabia stressed on the need to prevent forest fires and urban expansion that encroaches on forests.
• Forests have the potential for reducing five gigatonnes of emissions, Mirey Atallah, head of UNEP’s Nature for Climate branch, said, citing the findings of the Emissions Gap Report.

Sustainable forest management (SFM):

• Definition: Sustainable forest management (SFM) is defined as a “dynamic and evolving concept, which aims to maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental values of all types of forests, for the benefit of present and future generations.”
• Sustainable forest management emphasizes the concept of stewardship, which involves the responsible use and conservation of forest resources. It involves practices such as selective logging, reforestation, and conservation of biodiversity to ensure the long-term sustainability of forests.
• Sustainable forest management recognizes that forests provide a wide range of benefits, including timber and non-timber forest products, carbon sequestration, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and recreational opportunities. It seeks to balance these benefits for the benefit of present and future generations.
• Sustainable forest management promotes the involvement of local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders in decision-making processes. It recognizes their traditional knowledge and rights over forest resources and ensures their active participation in forest management.
• Forest certification systems, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), play a crucial role in promoting sustainable forest management. These systems provide standards and guidelines for responsible forest management and help consumers identify sustainably sourced wood and forest products.
• Sustainable forest management aims to protect and enhance biodiversity in forests. It involves measures such as maintaining natural habitats, protecting endangered species, and implementing conservation strategies to preserve the ecological balance and prevent species loss.
• Forests provide various ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water regulation, soil conservation, and climate regulation. Sustainable forest management recognizes the importance of these services and seeks to maintain or enhance them through appropriate management practices.
• Monitoring and assessment of forest resources and management practices are essential components of sustainable forest management. Regular monitoring helps evaluate the effectiveness of management strategies, identify potential issues, and make informed decisions for adaptive management.
• Sustainable forest management is promoted globally through initiatives such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), and various regional and national forest policies and programs.

United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF):

• United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is a global platform for policy dialogue, coordination, and cooperation on forest-related issues.
• The UNFF was established in 2000 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a subsidiary body to promote sustainable forest management and the conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
• The main mandate of the UNFF is to facilitate the implementation of sustainable forest management and the achievement of internationally agreed forest-related goals, including the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF).
• The UNFF operates through an intergovernmental process, with participation from member states, international organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders. It provides a platform for dialogue, information sharing, and collaboration on forest-related issues.
• The UNFF holds regular sessions and meetings to review progress, share experiences, and discuss policy options related to sustainable forest management. The sessions provide an opportunity for member states to negotiate and adopt decisions and resolutions on forest-related
• The UNFF works towards the achievement of global forest goals, including those outlined in the UNSPF. These goals include halting deforestation, promoting sustainable forest management, increasing forest area, and enhancing forest-related economic, social, and environmental benefits.
• On 27 April 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted the first ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030. The Strategic Plan provides a global framework for actions at all levels to sustainably manage all types of forests and trees outside forests and halt deforestation and forest degradation. At the heart of the Strategic Plan are six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets to be achieved by 2030, which are voluntary and universal.