Strengthening international institutional capacity for sustainable use of forest resources

Agenda 21 recommends: (a) the cooperation and assistance of international organizations and of the international community in technology transfer, specialization and promotion of fair terms of trade, without resorting to unilateral restrictions and/or bans on forest products contrary to GATT and other multilateral trade agreements; and (b) strengthening the capacity and ability and improving the coordination and performance of existing international organizations, such as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), FAO, ITTO, UNEP, UNESCO, UNIDO, ITC/UNCTAD/GATT and ILO, to provide technical support and guidance in this area.

Foreign Ministers of the G-8 and representatives of the European Commission announced their approval of the G-8 Forest Action Program at the conclusion of their two day Ministerial meeting in London, Saturday, May 9, 1998. The practical program will help sustainably manage and conserve forests in G-8 countries and around the world in ways that reflect environmental, ecological, social and economic values. The Action Program focuses on five areas: 1) to assess and monitor the state of the G-8's own forests, 2) to develop and implement strong national forest conservation programs, 3) to establish protected areas, 4) to take steps to eliminate illegal logging and illegal timber trade, and 5) to harness the resources of the private sector.