The options under consideration at the current talks, which opened Monday and run to February 11, range from the establishment of a permanent intergovernmental forum to discuss forest policy issues, to the establishment of a legally binding instrument, such as a treaty, to guide and regulate forest management at the global level. Although forest issues have long been enmeshed in overriding international issues, such as financing for development, international trade and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, there is a sense that this round of negotiations is perhaps a last chance for reaching a global accord on forest management. At the same time, there is increasing recognition that forests may be the best line of defense against climate change because of their ability to absorb the heat-trapping greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. A reduction in deforestation and uncontrolled forest fires would increase this capacity of the forests to act as a carbon sink. With between 70 and 100 countries unable to meet their current needs for forest products, this trade is likely to increase, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development says.
Poverty is a major factor in the deforestation of tropical countries.
Poor governance, illegal logging and trade that amounts to billions of dollars every year also play major roles in the rapid decline of the world s forests. In the current round of talks in New York, countries will attempt to hammer out an agreement that will guide the international community on forest policies. At the very least a permanent forum will be established for discussion of forest issues, the Commission says. Other options include developing means to better coordinate existing forest arrangements or developing a program to implement concrete actions that have already been suggested at the national and international level. There is also an option to move forward with the negotiation of a forest treaty, an issue that has been very controversial during previous negotiations.