Overview: A panel will provide information and opportunity for SAF member discussion on a new international arrangement on forestry that includes SAF involvement and the U.S. response to a call for Proposals for Action.

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was established in October 2000 by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations to implement a new international arrangement on forests that promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests. The UNFF facilitates the implementation, at the national, regional, and global levels, of internationally agreed proposals for action that were decided upon by the UNFF?s predecessors, the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (1995-1997) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (1997-2000). At the invitation of ECOSOC, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) has also been established, consisting of eleven international forest or forest-related organizations working to support the work of UNFF and to enhance cooperation and coordination among its members. In the U.S., the SAF participates in UNFF meetings and the Pinchot Institute, Forest Service, and Interagency Coordinating Team on Sustainable Forests, are facilitating the analysis of U.S. forest management institutions and programs relative to the Proposal for Action.

Panelists will discuss the genesis and operations of the UNFF and the CPF; the U.S. response to the call for action; participation at the state level; the role of SAF; and the significance of the new international arrangement to forestry in the U.S. and to SAF members; and how members can be involved. A discussion period will follow the presentations.

Representatives from SAF Bethesda, UNFF, Pinchot Institute, Forest Service, U.S. Department of State, and state foresters will participate on the panel

Co-sponsors are the SAF World Forestry Committee, International Forestry Working Group, International Society of Tropical Foresters, Forest Service, and Pinchot Institute.