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United Nations Forum on Forests UNFF
The UNFF was established at the fourth and final session of the IFF held in New York in February 2000, as the permanent intergovernmental body to facilitate and promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and the implementation of proposals for action emanating from the IPF and the IFF. Its role will also extend to strengthening the partnership of existing United Nations and other organisations in implementing sustainable forest management practices worldwide.
The UNFF
Australia's contribution to the UNFF and its predecessors
Consultation with stakeholders
Next steps
The UNFF
Information on the activities of the UNFF can be obtained from the UNFF website.
In May 2005, the UNFF reviewed the effectiveness of the International Arrangement on Forests and discussed options for future arrangements. The UNFF is currently working to acheive consensus on the content and adoption of a non-legally binding instrument on all types of forests at its seventh session in April 2007
Australia's contribution to the UNFF and its predecessors
Australia has supported the work of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, IPF and its successor, the IFF and the UNFF in a number of ways, including through:
- publishing the publication titled 'Summary of Proposals For Action - A tool to assist countries to measure progress and establish priorities for sustainable forest management'
Word [230kb] ( published 2000) - publishing an update
PDF [99kb] of the Summary of Proposals For Action, in cooperation with the World Bank Program on Forests (2003) - financial contributions to the IFF Secretariat
- attendance at all IPF, IFF and UNFF sessions
- participation at inter-sessional activities
- sharing information on the key forest related activities undertaken by Australia; and
- sponsorship of inter-sessional initiatives relevant to the work program of the IPF and IFF including the international conference on Certification and labelling of products from sustainably managed forests: 1996, Brisbane, Australia.
Consultation with stakeholders
In facilitating the work of the IPF, IFF and the UNFF, Australian, State and Territory government officials work together with stakeholders. Anyone interested in this process should contact Forestry Contact.
Implementation of Actions
Australia was the first country to assess its progress in implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action. This report was completed in 2001 PDF [245kb], and a reassessment was completed in 2005 PDF [599kb].
Australia has a very proud record of achievement in implementing the actions that the UNFF and its predecessors have agreed are needed to facilitate the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests. The 2001 and 2005 assessment reports clearly indicate a high level of implentation of priority actions as well as ongoing commitment to enhance implementation.
Australia also used the Summary of Proposals for Action to assist both Vanuatu and Fiji in assessing their progress in implementing the IPF/IFF Proposals for Action. This helped both countries in identifying their priorities for the development of national forest programs.
