World summit for the forestry community
Bern, 19.09.2003 - «Forests, source of life» is the theme of the XII World Forestry Congress, which is being held in Canada from 21 to 28 September 2003. At this event, bringing together around 4000 forestry experts from all over the world, Switzerland will be represented by a delegation led by Werner Schärer, Director of the Swiss Forest Agency at SAEFL.
About a third of the Earth's land mass is covered by forests, and approximately a quarter of the world's population is directly or indirectly dependent on forests or forestry products. Forests are the most important terrestrial ecosystem, as they not only provide food, protection, timber, energy and wildlife habitats but also help to regulate the climate, prevent soil erosion and supply clean drinking water. They are thus in many respects a source of life.
Every 6 years, forestry experts from around the world meet for a Congress held under the auspices of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). At this year's XII World Forestry Congress, to be held in Quebec City (Canada), the focus will be on three topics:
- Forests for people,
- Forests for the planet and
- People and forests in harmony.
Another important issue to be discussed is the development and implementation of national forest programmes. This question is of particular interest for Switzerland, which is currently elaborating the Swiss National Forest Programme.
Balance between conservation and use
The greatest challenge facing the forestry community is the need to balance forest users' expectations against maintenance of the ecosystem: owing to increases in the population, environmental changes and economic developments, the demands on forests (recreation, protection of people and infrastructure in mountain areas, commercial exploitation) are constantly growing. As a result, forest ecosystems are under pressure.
Switzerland's delegation in Quebec is to be led by Werner Schärer, Director of the Swiss Forest Agency at SAEFL. With an exhibition entitled «In search of balance», the federal authority will for the first time be sharing a stand with ten organizations from the Swiss forestry and timber sector.
Important role for Switzerland
Since the Rio Earth Summit, Switzerland has played an important role in international forestry policy. As well as supporting initiatives within individual countries, it will be hosting an international Workshop on Decentralization (organized jointly with Indonesia) at Interlaken in April 2004, ahead of the 4th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests.
This reflects Switzerland's view that the problems facing the forestry sector today can only be resolved by adopting a decentralized approach, with the involvement of local populations: Switzerland's experience with this approach goes back many years, while Indonesia is currently making the transition towards decentralization.
Finally, as part of international forestry policy, Switzerland wishes to see forest conservation efforts underpinned by a legally binding global framework, ideally in the form of an international forest convention.
Address for enquiries
For further information please contact:
Werner Schärer
Director of the Swiss Forest Agency, SAEFL
Tel. +41 (0)79 777 67 84
Sandra Limacher
Forest and the Changing Society Section, SAEFL
Tel. +41 (0)79 777 67 83
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
