Third Regional Meeting of Forest Authorities of the ACTO Member Countries

Third Regional Meeting of Forest Authorities of the ACTO Member Countries

Third Regional Meeting of Forest Authorities of the ACTO Member Countries

and Preparatory Meeting for the 11th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests

REPORT OF PROGRESS AND RESULTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SHORT-TERM AND MEDIUM-TERM AGENDAS OF THE “FORESTS” SUBTOPIC

A.1. Subtopic: Forests

Objective: Integrated, integral[1] and sustainable forest management for the management and conservation of forests, resulting in real benefit for local population groups

Activity / Actions/ Instruments of implementation / REPORT
SHORT TERM
  1. Design methodologies for the economic and environmental valuation of forests[2]
/ 1.1 Workshop for exchange on the conceptualization of the valuation of forests, taking into account case studies or initiatives at national level. / Initiative postponed
At the 2ndMeeting of Forest Authorities it was agreed to request the respective bodies of ACTO to review the implementation period of this activity, altering it from short-term to long-term, in other words to be implemented with effect from 2016.
  1. Monitorforest cover and forest control
/ 2.1 Implementation of the Project: Monitoring ofDeforestation, Forest Use and Changes in Land Use in the Pan-Amazon Forest / Project being implemented
The seven Observations Rooms in the countries have been installed and equipped (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela). National consultants have been hired to make them operational and the rooms have been provided with IT equipment.
Three (3) training courses have been run on the use of deforestation monitoring systems (INPE’s Terra Amazonsystem),training a total of over 40 people from the Member Countries (MC).
Two (2) meetings of the Project Steering Committee and one (1) meeting of theObservation Rooms were held in 2011 and 2012.
Seven (7) Forest Cover Monitoring National Plans (PN_MCF) have been drawn up or updated.
The 1st Regional Map of Amazon Deforestation, 2000-2010, was presented at the COP 20- CC in Lima.
The first phase of the project it is expected to be closed by the end of2015.
2.1.1 Implementation of the 2nd Phase of the Project:
Monitoring of Deforestation, Forest Use and Changes in Land Use in the Pan-Amazon Forest / Project being implemented
Funds of the Brazilian Amazon Fundwere guaranteed for the start of the second phase of the Project in the second half of 2013.
The Observation Rooms have been strengthened by increasing thenumber of national consultants and providing more IT equipment.
The National Plans for Monitoring Forest Coverwere presented at the Regional Meeting inLima in August 2014.
Three (3) training courses were held on the use of deforestation monitoring systems (INPE’sTerra Amazonsystem) and one (1) on the monitoring of forest fires and burning practices, training in total over 70 people from ACTO Member Countries.
Two(2) meetings of the Project Steering Committee and two (2) meetings of the Observations Rooms were held in 2013 and 2014.
The regional map of the Amazon deforestation 2010-2013 will be presented attheUnitedNationsForestForum(UNFF11)inNewYork(May,2015).
2.2Drafting of proposal to“Harmonize and validate criteria and indicators (C&I) on the sustainability of forest management” Tarapoto and ITTO processes. / Project terminated
The first phase of the project has been implemented, producing a set of harmonized Tarapoto/ITTO Criteria and Indicators on sustainability in forest management, agreed among the Member Countries’ technical bodies.
2.2.1 Implementation of the harmonized criteria and indicators (C&I) on the sustainability of forest management” / Projectenvisaged
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The PS/ACTOwill send a Conceptual Note for the consideration of the MC, containing a proposal to allow move forward in the implementation through pilot projects ofthe harmonized C & I.
iii. Promote and strengthen Community Forest Management[3] / 3.1 Systematization and dissemination, through a publication,of the experiences of the Community Forest Management (CFM) pilot project in implemented in Ecuador. / Project terminated
At the Regional Workshop on Community Forest Management(CFM) in the Amazon: Success Stories,Puyo, Ecuador, on 29 and 30 August 2012, the publication summarizing the experiences of the project“Sustainable forest management in native forests and commercialization chains of legal timber in the centre south of the Ecuadorian Amazon”was presented.
3.2 Exchange of information on experiences in promoting and strengthening Community Forest Management through the establishment of a virtual Forum. / Initiative completed
Conducted via a Regional Workshop on Community Forest Management in the Amazon: Success Stories, heldin Puyo, Ecuador, 29 and 30 August 2012.
This will be given continuity under medium-term Activity vi.
3.3 Implementation of Community Forest Management in TCO PILCOL – Bolivia. / Project not carried out
iv. Promote and strengthen social participation in forest management / 4.1 Trainingon low impact forest use, for community experts, community leaders and organizations providing technical assistance, in support of Activity (iii). / Initiative not carried out
At the 2ndMeeting of Forest Authorities, it was decided that, based on the agreements reached in the“Regional Workshop on Community Forest Managementin the Amazon: Success Stories” (29 – 30 August 2012) in Puyo, Ecuador, theseactionscould be implemented under medium-termActivity v.
4.2 Exchange of information and knowledge related to the Amazon products rubber and Brazil nuts in the MAP (Madre de Dios-Acre-Pando) region / Initiative not carried out
4.3 Systematization and dissemination on ACTO website of the different legislation governing forest management in the Member Countries. / Initiative being implemented
At the 2nd Meeting of Forest Authorities, it was agreed that the MC should inform thePS/ACTOof any change in their legislation to facilitate this being updated on ACTO’S webpage. In July 2014 thePS/ACTO sent Verbal Note PS/ACTO/454/2014 to the MC to remind the MC of this commitment and received replies from Bolivia and Guyana.
v.Facilitate the levelling of capacities and opportunities for analysis with regard to the global dialogue (UNFF and UNFCCC) / 5.1 To accompany progress in the global dialogue of the UNFF and UNFCCC, by institutionalizing a space or virtual forum for exchanging and updating information, seeking to provide input for drawing up joint regional positionsin the medium and long term. / Initiative being implemented
In 2011 ACTOestablished the holding of two-yearly regional meetings of forest authorities and these have since been accompanied by preparatory meetings for the intergovernmental talks heldin the framework of the United Nations Forum onForests (UNFF). The UNFF Secretariathas participated in these preparatory meetings so that progress in the intergovernmental dialogue can be presented.
ACTO has provided input for these talks through a report sent to the UNFF Secretariat on the progress of regional cooperation on forests carried out by the ACTO MC. This was done for the 9th and 10th sessions and will likewise be presented for the 11th Session of the Forum.
As a result of the above, and of the actual cooperation process on forests in the region, tribute was paid to ACTO in the final report of the 10th Session of the UNFF, held in Istanbul in 2013.
It was made a preparatory regional workshop for the UnitedNationsFramework ConventiononClimateChangeCOP20 of the ACTO Member Countries. 30and31October2014Lima.
The PS/ACTO participated during theClimateChangeCOP20 heldinLimafrom1to12December2014, through the following activities: sideevent,institutionalstand, thematic stand and a presentation attheAuditoriumHallofForest.
The PS/ACTO is preparing its participation for the TenthfirstSessionoftheForumofForestoftheUnitedNations to be held in NewYorkfrom4to15may 2015.
5.2 Support the participation of delegates of the MC in meetings of the UNFF and UNFCCC Conference of Parties. / Initiative being implemented
In 2011 support was provided for the participation of the MCs’ delegates in UNFF 9.
In 2013 the PS cooperated in the dissemination of information on the support offered to MC by the Turkish Government for participation in UNFF 10.
vi. Coordinate sustainable financing for the forest sector. / 6.1 Regional Experts Workshop to identify priority and viable financial mechanisms for forest management, as input for Activity (vii). / Initiative completed
The report on this initiative will be given under medium-term Activity iii.
vii. Seek and identify new and additional financial resources for forest conservation. / 7.1 Proposal for regional project “ Protection ofForests, Conservation of Biodiversity and Climate Change” (KfW) / Initiative completed
The MCagreed that the proposal should be for a Programme for the management, monitoring and control of species of wildlife threatened by trade in the Amazon Region.
Theproject has been approved by the MC; the contract between ACTO and the KFW has been signed and the project is currently in the phase of hiring its coordination team, paving the way for full implementation.
7.2 Project proposal for the management of forest biodiversity, based on the following guidelines: (i) support for the Amazon countries for the application of the CBD’s Work Programmeon forest biological diversity; (ii) promote the application of theITTO /IUCNGuidelines on the conservation of biodiversity in timber-producing tropical forests, (iii) promote the development and consolidationof cross-borderconservationin the Amazon Region(SCBD/ITTO/ACTO). / Initiative completed
In the wake of ACTO’s participation in the Nagoya COP 10 and inUNFF 9, the Secretariats ofITTO and CBD offered to support the Strategic Agenda for Amazon Cooperation. The PS/ACTO, in conjunction with the SCBD and ITTO, prepared the project proposal to put to the consideration of the MC.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by ACTO and ITTO to open the implementation activities of the project “Institutional Strengthening of the ACTO Member Countries in Ecologically Responsible Forest Management and the Conservation of Biodiversity in Managed Forests of the Amazon (ITTO-CBD-ACTO)”
The general and specific objectives were clearly drawn up, along with the project’s activities and means of implementation, at the 1st Meeting of the Project Steering Committee, held in El Puyo, Ecuador, from 11 to 13 March 2014.
The regional coordination for the project has been hired and the implementation activities will start in the coming days.
7.3 Identificationofpriority, new and additional financial mechanisms for forest conservation. / Initiative not carried out
viii. Propose incentive mechanisms for reforestation / 8.1 Regional Workshopfor the exchange of experiences in incentive mechanisms for reforestation and restoration of degraded ecosystems. / Initiative not carried out
Based on the progress made by the MC in the implementation of projects and programmes forreforestation, it was agreed at the 2ndMeeting of Forest Authorities that this activity was a priority and that itsactions/mechanisms ofimplementationshould be carried out under medium-termActivity vii.
ix. Promote forest awareness among the Amazon population. / 9.1Preparation and implementation of an agenda of awareness-raisingactivitiesin the framework of the International Year ofForests2011. / Initiative completed
At the 1stMeeting of Forest Authorities in Bogotá, held in March 2011, an agenda of activities for the International Year of Forests 2011 was approved by the ACTO Member Countries. The agenda was observed by means of various actions, implemented jointly by the MC, which were summarized in a document presented at the 2012 Rio Summit.
-Presentation at UNFF 9 New York. January-February 2011
-ACTO webpage on the subject
-Photo competition
-Making of a poster
-Designation of the Messenger of theForests
-Compilation of activities carried out by the Member Countries in the framework of the International Year of Forests 2011
-Presentation of the MCs’ vision of the Amazon forest. Earth Summit. Rio +20
x.Promoteinternational technical and financial cooperation for fighting illegal logging. / 10.1 Workshop for the exchange of experiences and information on IT systems on the control of origin, destination and traceability of timber[4]. As acomplement to Activity (ii) / Initiative completed
Held through the Regional Workshopon mechanisms to control the origin and traceability of timber, in Bogotá, February 14 – 16, 2012.
The Member Countries expressed their support for the activities and processes being carried out by the PS/ACTOon the control, origin and traceability of timber in the Amazon region, requesting it to continue to carry them out to strengthen capacities in the Countries.
10.2 Consideration of a proposal for implementing an electronic identification keyfor commercial timber. As a complement to Activity (ii) / Initiative completed
As a result of this first phase of the project, an electronic key system has been introduced for the identification of commercial timbers of the Amazon. This system was developed byColombia (SINCHI Institute) and Brazil (Brazilian Forest Service) and presented at a Regional Workshopheld in Brasilia, Brazil in November 2014. At the same workshop the elements to be considered in constructing a region-wide proposalwere also agreed.
For the second phase of theproject, thePS/ACTOwill draft a Conceptual Note that will be put to the consideration of the MC. This second phase must basically work towards applying the electronic key at regional level, providingtraining in its use, and making adjustments so that itcan be adapted and adopted at national level as a useful instrument for timber verification in forest control processes.
xi.Promoteactionsfor the prevention and control of forest fires. / 11.1 Drafting of a Protocol for Technical Cooperation and Mutual Assistance among the ACTO Member Countrieson fighting forest fires. / Initiative completed
After two face-to-face regional workshops and four teleconference sessions among the MCs’ technical and legal bodies, there is now: a draft Frame Agreement for the Integral Management of Forest Fires; operating regulations for mutual assistance in fighting forest fires, a standardized glossary of terms; and an identification form for support individuals and brigades.
Furthermore, Venezuela, which does not agree with the Frame Agreement proposal, prepared and presented a draft Memorandum of Understanding among the MCin October 2014 as an alternative to the draft Frame Agreement.
The decision on the future of this process must be taken by ACTO’s highest decision-making levels.
11.2 Development of regional modules for the training of multipliers and brigades on the prevention and fighting of forest fires. / Initiative not carried out
In line with the agreements reached by the MCat the tworegional workshops held in the framework of Action 11.1, the drafting of a proposed regional programme for the prevention of forest fires and the promotion of alternatives to the use of fire in rural areas is recommended.
xii. Promoteactivities for the conservation, rehabilitation, reforestation and maintenance of forests and degraded areas / 12.1 Implementation, systematization and disseminationof the experiences of the Acre-Ucayali Project (Peru-Brazil). / Project terminated
Theproject“Bases for sustainable management in the Acre-Ucayali border region” terminated with a workshop in Pucallpa, Peru, on 5-6 July 2012. The experiences and results of the project were presented at the workshop, which was attended by government authorities of both regions and representatives of civil society.
12.2 Compilation of experiences in implementingactivitiesfor the conservation offorests and restoration of degraded areas in the MC. The information generated in Activity(viii)is to be taken as input. / Initiative not carried out
12.3 Identify options for South-South cooperation in the restoration and recuperation of ecosystems. / Initiative not carried out
xiii.Promotethe design and application of instruments for the economic valuation of the forest, its assets and services, to serve as a reference for the implementation of programmes and projects striving towards conservation and sustainable use.[5] / Initiative postponed
-Activitylinked to short-termActivity i.
Activity / Actions/ Instruments of implementation / REPORT
MEDIUM-TERM
i. Promotethe valuation of the forest sector in the National Accounts. / 1.1 Establish virtual forums for the exchange of information on processes and methodologies for constructing and implementing forest satellite accounts in the MC. / Initiative being implemented
The evolution of this subject and the progress of the MC has been accompanied by the development of methodology proposals for setting up forest satellite accounts.In view of the progress made by Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, the exchange of information in a virtual or face-to-face forum is expected to take place in the second half of 2015.
ii. Promotethe development of methodologies and shared tools for the role of forests in the fight against climate change. / Indefinite Initiative
At the 2nd Meeting of Forest Authorities, it was agreed to request the respective organs of ACTO to provide guidance for defining actions and instruments of implementation.
iii. Coordinate the sustainable financing of the forest sector. / 3.1. Hold aRegional Workshopfor the knowledge and exchange of national experiences on financing mechanisms for the sector. / Initiative completed
This was achieved through the“Regional Experts Workshoptopromote the exchangeof national experiences in mechanisms for financing the sustainable forest sectorin ACTO Member Countries”, held 10 and 11 April2014.
At the workshop, the MC presented the financing mechanisms for sustainable forest management. The representative of the UNFF Secretariat presented the main results of the global study on forest financing, highlighting public and private sources at national and international level. Finally the Dutch organization Tropenbos made a presentation on local and informal financing.
One of the agreements made at the workshop was to compile informationon the state of forest financing and financial mechanisms for forest management in the MC. The PS/ACTOis to send out a set of guiding questions to facilitate the compilation work.
iv. Promoteactionsto improve the competitiveness of thesector. / 4.1 Regional study on productivity of forest management in processes of extraction, transport and transformation of timber in theMC. / Initiative envisaged
Information has been gathered on the focus of studies already conducted by other organizations, whether at national or regional level, with the aim of identifying elements of interest for a regional study in the Amazon countries.Currently the interest of potential partners is being gauged for the preparation and financing of an analysis of the international trade in Amazon timber products.
  1. Promote and strengthen social participationinforest management.
/ 5.1 Regional Workshopforthe exchange of experiences among the MConthe development and application of incentivestargeting vulnerable groups on the management and conservation of forests, associated with the eradication of poverty. / Initiative being implemented
This will start with the “Regional Workshopfor the development and application of poverty-reducing social programmes associated with conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the Amazon”, scheduled for May 2015.
  1. Promotesustainable forest management with social inclusion.
/ 6.1 Identification and systematizationof models of Community Forest Management (CFM)developed in the MC (from traditional to industrial or business scale). / Initiative being implemented
To facilitate the identification and systematizationof models ofCFM, thePS/ACTOsent Verbal NotePS/ACTO/453/2014 to the MC in July 2014, in which itrequested systematized information on projects or models of outstanding CFMin the Amazon.
No response from the MC has been received to date – a reminder should be issued.
  1. Promotethe rehabilitation of forest ecosystems.
/ 7.1. Promotean exchange of experiences onnational activitiesfor the restoration offorests and degraded forest land. / Initiative not yet implemented
viii. Promotethe developmentof non-timber forest products. / 8.1 Share national experiences and disseminate them over the ACTO website. / At the 2ndMeeting of Forest Authorities, it was agreed that the MCshould send thePS/ACTO material to be disseminated and that the PS would establish a link to make said information accessible. In July 2014, thePS/ACTO sent Verbal Note PS/ACTO/453/2014 to the MCto remind them of their commitment.
No response from the MC has been received to date – a reminder should be issued.
ix. Promotethe exchange of information on forests and protected areas, as well as the technical exchange of experiences. / 9.1 Start theimplementation of theactivity through a Regional Workshopto provide guidance as to the aims and the methodology to be adopted for the preparation of the regional report on the state of the Amazon forest. / Initiative being implemented
The countries gave their support for the preparation of the regional report at the “Regional Workshopfor the exchange of forest information and the development of methodology for thepreparation of the regional report on the state of the Amazon forest”, held in Lima in August2014.
At the workshop it was agreed to take as a reference the FAO’s methodology process in its Global Forest Resources Assessment, also known as FRA.
The MCare currently deciding on the Amazon variables onwhich each country is to inform.
Once the Amazon variables have been agreed, the next steps will be: (i) each country must fill in a questionnaire on a standard form; (ii) thePS/ACTOwill compile the information and process it with the support of the FAO, thus producing a first draft of the report, which will be presented, discussed and adjusted at a regional meeting of specialists of the forest information centres of the MC.
9.2 Establishment of a space for theexchange of knowledge and mechanisms for disseminating the evolution of national forest programmes at national and regional level. / Initiative being implemented
ThePS/ACTO has established that the MCs’ forest authorities should meet every two years to assess and steer the implementation of theForests Subtopic agenda and to exchange information on progress made in the implementation their national forest programmes. Said authorities have therefore met in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Additionally, the holding of forest authorities meetings has been promoted and supported in the framework of other international talks, such as UNFF (2011); COFLAC (LACFC) in Paraguay in 2012, and the South American forest talks held in Brazil and Chile in 2011.
x. Promoteinternational technical and financial cooperation for the fight against illegal logging. / 10.1 Regional project forthe development and implementation of an electronic key and infrared light to facilitate the identification and differentiation of commercial timbers at forest checkpoints. / Projectenvisaged
InActivity x, initiative 10.2 (short-term),we reported that the first phase of theprojectended in November 2014 with the presentation of the operation of the identification systemor key for commercial timber and agreement on the main elements to be contained in a proposal for a project of regional application.
For the second phase of the project,thePS/ACTOwill draft a Conceptual Note to be put to the consideration of the MC. This second phase will basically seek the application of the Electronic Key at regional level, training in its use, and making adjustments for its adaptation and adoption at national level as a useful instrument for the verification of timber in forest control processes.
10.2 Exchange of national experiences on systems to control logging and illegal deforestation.Analysis of possible traceability mechanisms for tropical timber. / Initiative envisaged
Since the Regional Workshopon mechanisms for controlling the origin and traceability of timber(Bogotá, August 2012), the evolution of the topic is being followed, as well as the progress of the MCin the developmentof timber control and traceability systems. It may be possible to join this initiative toActivity iv, initiative 4.1.
xi. Promoteforest awareness among the Amazon population. / 11.1 Dissemination of information from the MCon forest awareness-raising actions in the Amazon population. / Initiative being implemented
At the 2nd Meeting of Forest Authorities, it was agreed that the MCwould send the material (audio-visual or digital) to be disseminated and that links would be set up to facilitate access to this on ACTO’s webpage.
Acting as a regional body, ACTOsent its own releases for the International Day of Forests, for example.

[1]For the purposes of the Strategic Agenda, “integrated and integral forest management” means that the forest topic must be approached in a broad, comprehensive manner, taking into account the multiple facets of the forest, on a multidisciplinary basis among other aspects, bearing in mind the definition of the United Nations Forum on Forests.