Recent International Developments on Forest Issues

Australia is active in a number of international fora promoting the conservation and ecologically sustainable management of forests. Some of the recent international developments on forests issues that Australia is involved in are outlined below.

CSD Intergovernmental Panel on Forests

• The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) decided in April 1995 to establish an Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. The Panel was established to promote multi -disciplinary action on the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests.
• On the Panels agenda for consideration are such issues as the underlying causes of deforestation, criteria and indicators, trade issues including certification and labelling, and institutional arrangements. The Panel will present proposals for action to the CSD's fifth session in 1997.

The Montreal Process- Sustainability Criteria and Indicators

• As a participating country in the Montreal Process, Australia has endorsed a comprehensive set of criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests. Participants in the Montreal process have undertaken to apply its provisions 'as guidelines for use by their respective policy makers'.
• Participating countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Russian Federation, the United States and Uruguay) are in the initial stages of implementation of the criteria and indicators. Australia has projects underway to assess the applicability of the criteria and indicators to Australian conditions.

Certification and Labelling of Forest Products

• There is growing international awareness of certification and labelling of forest products as a means to encourage sustainable forest management. Certification and labelling is one of the issues for consideration by the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests.
• The Australian Government is hosting a conference on this issue in May 1996, with the principle objective being to advance international dialogue on the issue of certification and labelling, focusing on the role that certification and labelling of forest products may play in achieving the goals of sustainable forest management. It will provide stakeholders with a constructive forum to discuss certification and labelling initiatives to date, and to consider future directions that might be developed.