United Nations Forum on Forests

Ninth Session

8^th Meeting (AM)

Chairperson Tables Draft Declaration, ‘Omnibus’ Resolution

 

for Consideration by United Nations Forum on Forests

 

The Chairperson of the United Nations Forum on Forests introduced today the draft declaration expected from its upcoming ministerial segment and the draft omnibus resolution anticipated to form the main outcome of the current two-week session.

Arvids Ozols (Latvia), introducing the draft declaration of the ministerial segment, which will begin on Wednesday, 2 February, with the launch of the International Year of Forests, 2011, said the text was based on the contributions received from delegations.  By its terms, the high-level participants in the segment would underline the importance of sustainable forest management, stressing that it could contribute significantly to addressing the complex and interconnected global challenges relating to economic development, poverty, energy, food and agriculture, water, climate change, desertification and land degradation, and loss of biodiversity.

Vivian Pliner, the Forum Secretary, read aloud the full text of the draft declaration, since posted on the body’s website, alongside the draft omnibus resolution.

Introducing the latter text, Mr. Ozols said it was based on suggestions contained in reports of the Secretary-General and on contributions received in the Working Group.  It covered a range of concerns, from assessing progress in the implementation of the non-legally-binding instrument on all types of forests (the forest instrument), to regional cooperation to the commemoration of the International Year of Forests, 2011.

The Forum will meet again at 5 p.m. Tuesday, 1 February, to take action on the texts.

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For information media • not an official record