The XII World Forestry Congress (WFC) opened on Sunday, 21September and will continue until Sunday, 28 September, in QuebecCity, Canada. The Congress is held approximately every six yearsunder the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization of theUnited Nations (FAO) and serves as a forum to exchange views andexperiences, discuss forestry issues and formulate broad regional orglobal recommendations. The theme of the XII WFC is "Forests:source of life."

The ceremony opened with a performance by a Canadian indige-nous peoples group from Wendake. Jean-Louis Kérouac, XII WorldForestry Congress Secretary-General, underscored the WFC's objec-tive to develop a vision for the future of forests, and welcomed par-ticipants to the Congress. Participants appointed Herb Dhaliwal,Minister of Natural Resources Canada and Sam Hamad, Quebec'sMinister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks, as WFC Presidentand Co-President of the WFC, respectively.

Wellie Picard, Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, on behalf ofPhil Fontaine, National Chief of Canada's Assembly of First Nations,stressed that the future of the majority of indigenous peoples dependson forests and announced indigenous peoples' determination todemand the recognition of their fundamental rights.

Osman Pepe, Minister of the Environment and Forestry, Turkey,recalling the XI WFC in Turkey and the approval of the Antalya

Declaration, reaffirmed his country's commitment to protect forests,conserve biological diversity and achieve sustainable forest manage-ment (SFM).

Jacques Diouf, FAO Director General, identified the important rela-tionship between forests and human well-being, noting in particularthe role of forests in alleviating hunger, generating income and pro-viding environmental benefits.

Sam Hamad, Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks inQuebec, on behalf of Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec, welcomedparticipants to Quebec and said the province is ready to share its pos-itive experiences in sustainable forest management with the world.

Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, on behalf ofCanadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, stressed the importance offorests to Canadians and expressed his country's commitment toworldwide dialogue and partnerships to ensure the sustainable futureof forests.

The Indigenous Peoples' Forest Forum was held from 19-21September in Huron-Wendat Territory. On Friday 19 September,Chief Wellie Picard of the host nation and Regional Chief GhislainPicard of the Assembly of First Nations of Québec and Labrador

XII World Forestry Congress BulletinA Daily Report of the XII World Forestry CongressPublished by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

DAILY REPORTS AND WEB COVERAGE AT HTTP://WWW.IISD.CA/LINKAGES/SD/WFC12/VOLUME 10, NO. 5, MONDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2003iis

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XII WFC HIGHLIGHTS: SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2003

Side events were held throughout the day,including those organized by the IndigenousPeoples' Forest Forum, the YouthCommittee of the WFC, FSC Canada andthe Canadian Institute of Forestry. In theevening, participants attended the openingceremony and heard welcome addresses bydignitaries, including FAO Director GeneralJacques Diouf, and Jean-Louis Kérouac,Secretary General of the XII WFC. Culturalevents and the opening of an exhibition alsotook place in the evening.Dignitaries at the opening ceremony: Sam Hamad, Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks for

Quebec; Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada; Jacques Diouf, FAO Director General; andWellie Picard, Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation.

The World Forestry Congress Bulletin is a publication of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), publishers of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin ©. Thisissue is written and edited by Andrew Baldwin , Alice Bisiaux , Robynne Boyd , Lauren Flejzor ,Tamilla Gaynutdinova , Stefan Jungcurt , Fiona Koza and Nicole Schabus . The editor is Lynn M.Wagner, Ph.D. . The digital editors are Franz Dejon and David Fernau , and the digital assistants are Diego Noguera and Prisna Nuengsigkapian . The Director of IISD Reporting Services is Langston James “Kimo” Goree VI . Funding forcoverage of this meeting has been provided by the World Forestry Congress Secretariat and the Forest Products Association of Canada. The opinions expressed in the Bulletinare those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD. Excerpts from the Bulletin may be used in other publications with appropriate academic citation.Electronic versions of the Bulletin are sent to e-mail distribution lists (ASCII and PDF format) and can be found on the Linkages WWW-server at . Forinformation on the Bulletin, including requests to provide reporting services, contact the Director of IISD Reporting Services at , +1-212-644-0217 or 212East 47th St. #21F, New York, NY 10017, USA.

OPENING CEREMONY

Official Sponsor of the Bulletin

Forest ProductsAssociation of Canada

Association des produitsforestiers du Canada

SIDE EVENTS

Indigenous Peoples’ Forest ForumPresented by the Indigenous Peoples’ Forest Forum Steering Committee

HTTP://WWW.IISD.CA/LINKAGES/SD/WFC12/http://www.iisd.ca

welcomed participants to their nations' traditional territories. OnSaturday 20 September, Arthur Manuel, Indigenous Network onEconomies and Trade, elaborated on rights-based submissionsregarding indigenous proprietary interests that have been officiallyaccepted by international trade tribunals. Parshuram Tamang,Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, presented indigenous posi-tions from the World Parks Congress held in Durban, South Africa,September 2003, calling for the recognition of ancestral rights to ter-ritories and natural resources.

Dave Nahwegahbow, FSC International, explained how the struc-ture and principles of FSC provide protection for indigenous rights.Rune Fjellheim, International Saami Council, reported on the lengthynegotiations of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of IndigenousPeoples, calling for its adoption by 2004. In the afternoon, partici-pants split into three linguistic working groups to develop key pointsfor the Wendake Action Plan.

In plenary, indigenous participants reported on special initiativesand specific concerns regarding forestry. On Sunday 21 September,Russell Diabo presented the Tri-lateral Agreement between theAlgonquins of Barriere Lake and the Governments of Québec andCanada, which includes the implementation of an IntegratedResource Management Plan. Peggy Smith, Lakehead University, pre-sented a vision of indigenous peoples' participation in the foresteconomy after overcoming obstacles such as long-term tenure.Nicolas Aguilar Murillo, San Juan community, Mexico, reported onhis peoples' communal forestry operations. Valérie Courtois, InnuNation, explained how her nation mitigates impacts from industrialdevelopments in Nitassinan territory through integrated planning,noting that Innu guardians with traditional knowledge monitor thedifferent developments. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Tebtebba Foundation,expressed concern over various World Trade Organization agree-ments. Tom Griffiths, Forest Peoples Programme, noted the lack ofbinding policies regarding indigenous rights in national and multi-national development agencies.

Harry Bombay, National Aboriginal Forestry Association, presentedthe first draft of the Wendake Action Plan. A number of participantscalled for stronger wording on self-determination and permanent sov-ereignty over land and natural resources. Some delegates expressedconcern that the Plan allowed taking of forest resources instead ofprioritizing indigenous rights.

Minister Dhaliwal encouraged forest management that benefits pres-ent and future generations. Participants agreed to have a draftingcommittee finalize the Wendake Action Plan for presentation at theWFC.

Participants addressed the role of youth in sustainable forest manage-ment (SFM) in presentations and discussions.

Catalina Santamaria, United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF),highlighted the role of youth in the international dialogue on forests.She encouraged participants to become involved in international poli-cy making and described opportunities for participation.

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Women Acting Together for Change(WATCH), presented the Nepalese experience in community forestmanagement. He stressed the need to have local communities man-age their forest resources, and noted that land-tenure is the key toSFM.

Mark Hubert, Forest Products Association of Canada, described theCanadian forest industry's efforts to ensure sustainability through cer-tification, technological innovation, partnerships, improved publicreporting and corporate social responsibility. He stressed the role ofyouth as future leaders in the forest industry.

Heather Sarantis, The Natural Step, described how The NaturalStep helps businesses adopt sustainable strategies. She recommendedthat youth take on challenges related to SFM.

Chief Wellie Picard of the Huron Wendat Nation (right), and RegionalChief Ghislain Picard of the Assembly of First Nations of Québec andLabrador, welcomed participants in the Indigenous Peoples ForestryForum to their nations’ traditional territories.

2 XII World Forestry Congress Bulletin, SD Vol. 10 No. 5, Monday, 22 September 2003

What should we do with our forests? Think,talk and take actionPresented by the Youth Committee

Links to more information:http://www.iddpnql.cahttp://www.afn.cahttp://www.wendake.comhttp://www.nafaforestry.orghttp://www.indigenousnetworkoneconomiesandtrade.comhttp://www.fscoax.orghttp://www.barrierelake.cahttp://www.innu.cahttp://www.tebtebba.orghttp://www.forestpeoples.org

Contact:Arthur Manuel: artmanuel@earthlink.netParshuram Tamang: ps@tamang.wlink.com.npDavid Nahwegahbow: dndaystar@sprint.caRune Fjellheim: rune.fjellheim@saamicouncil.netRussell Diabo: rdiabo@sympatico.caPeggy Smith: peggy.smith@lakeheadu.caNicolas Aguilar Murillo: gananico@yahoo.com.mxValérie Courtois: vcourtois@innu.caVictoria Tauli-Corpuz: vco@skyinet.netThomas Griffiths: tom@fppwrm.gn.apc.org

http://www.iddpnql.cahttp://www.afn.cahttp://www.wendake.comhttp://www.nafaforestry.orghttp://www.indigenousnetworkoneconomiesandtrade.comhttp://www.fscoax.orghttp://www.barrierelake.cahttp://www.innu.cahttp://www.tebtebba.orghttp://www.forestpeoples.org

3XII World Forestry Congress Bulletin, SD Vol. 10 No. 5, Monday, 22 September 2003

Minister Hamad underlined the challenges in achieving SFM thatneed to be addressed by today's young foresters.

Minister Dhaliwal highlighted Canada's commitment to use localknowledge, innovation and technical development for SFM.

Participants discussed, inter alia: the roles of governments andindustry in SFM; ways to influence consumer choices; the need toinvolve foresters in decision making at all levels and the importanceof local perspectives in the development of criteria for SFM.

In small groups, participants identified common concerns, and pro-posed possible solutions and concrete actions to help people live inharmony with forests. Common concerns included poverty andinequity, unsustainable consumption, deforestation, transparency indecision making and enforcement of legal measures. Recommendedsolutions included independent monitoring of forest management,

government-led measures to promote sustainable production and con-sumption, improved participation and the recognition of local knowledge.

Participants identified the following concrete actions: educationalmeasures such as funding for school programmes and internationalexchanges; measures to promote integrated practices for SFM andinstitutional measures to increase participation; and the recognitionof the rights of future stakeholders.

Mia Söderlund, Youth Forum, encouraged participants to continuetheir commitment and engage in international initiatives such as theUNFF. She also called for a broader representation of youth in theCongress, recommending that youth be part of the official pro-gramme at the XIII WFC.

Martin von Mirbach, FSC Boreal Coordinating Committee, intro-duced the FSC Canada National Boreal Standard and provided acomprehensive overview of the boreal standard negotiating process.Overall he deemed the negotiation a success, and identified the fac-tors contributing to this outcome, including consensus recommenda-tions submitted by working groups on high conservation valueforests and environmental impact; input and legal opinion submittedby the Indigenous Advisory Council; and public input. Von Mirbachalso noted the goals of the Boreal Coordination Committee to pro-mote improvements in boreal forest management, design a feasibleand adoptable standard, and develop a common understanding forgood forestry in the boreal. He concluded that the true measure of thestandard's success will be its implementation.

Jean-Pierre Martel, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC),stated that a condition for FPAC membership is a commitment to cer-tification by 2006. He noted the importance of setting an achievableFSC boreal standard that promotes good forestry and emphasized theimportance of harmonizing the boreal standard with those in Finland,Sweden and Russia.

Peggy Smith, LakeheadUniversity, highlighted thatthe FSC is the only forestmanagement standard thateffectively accommodatesindigenous peoples' rights.She noted that the borealstandard requires certifica-tion applicants to accountfor aboriginal peoples'concerns in tenure man-agement plans.

Harvey Mead, QuebecUnion for the Conservationof Nature, stated that dueto growing public attentionon corporate responsibility,auditing systems, such as

Narayan Kaji Shrestha, WATCH, emphasizes the importance of trust andlegal awareness for successful community forest management.

Links to more information:http://www.un.org/esa/forestshttp://www.wfc2003.org/en/jeunes/index.phphttp://www.fpac.cahttp://www.naturalstep.org

Contact:Catalina Santamaria: santamaria@un.orgNarayan Kaji Shreshta: watchftp@wlik.cyom.npMark Hubert: mhubert@fpac.caHeather Sarantis: hsarantis@naturalstep.orgMia Söderlund: soderlund@un.org

FSC: Managing Canada's Boreal ForestPresented by FSC Canada

Links to more information:http://www.fscoax.orghttp://www.fsccanada.org

Contact:Martin von Mirbach: martinvm@sierraclub.caMathew Wenban-Smith: mathew@fscoax.orgMarcelo Levy: mlevy@fsccanada.org

Martin von Mirbach, Chair of the ForestStewardship Council Boreal NegotiatingCommittee, introduces the FSC CanadaNational Boreal standard.

http://www.un.org/esa/forestshttp://www.wfc2003.org/en/jeunes/index.phphttp://www.fpac.cahttp://www.naturalstep.orghttp://www.fscoax.orghttp://www.fsccanada.org

the FSC boreal standard, are becoming increasingly important.Marie-Anick Liboiron, Model Forest of the Lower Saint Lawrence,

described the model forest program in Quebec, expressed her group’ssupport for the FSC boreal standard and emphasized that modelforests can be adapted to FSC standards.

Addressing the global significance of the Boreal Standard, MatthewWeban-Smith, FSC International Centre, noted the FSC's mission topromote forest stewardship through common certification standards.Marcelo Levy, FSC Canada, described the complexity involved inharmonizing boreal standards with Sweden and Finland. He high-lighted that the Sweden's standard is prescriptive, whereas Canada'sstandard is considerably less so.

Keith Moore, Moore Resource Management, reviewed the processof certifying Russia's Perugia forest, noting that the process facedmany challenges, including the non-recognition of indigenous peo-ples by the Russian Federation and non-compliance with domesticlaw.

Len Moores, CIF/IFC President, opened the CIF/IFC's 95th AnnualGeneral Meeting. Moores indicated that during the next year,CIF/IFC will focus on encouraging future forest practitioners andmaintaining professional competencies. Moores noted the upcomingmeeting entitled "One Forest Under Two Flags," which is jointlysponsored by the CIF/IFC and the Society of American Foresters,and will be held from 3-6 October 2003 in Edmonton, Canada.

An awards ceremony acknowledged outstanding achievements inCanadian forestry by individuals and groups, including: John Spence;Mike Apps; Jacques Carette; Yvan Hardy; Peter Blake; DavidSharpe; and the Ottawa Valley Section of the CIF/IFC.

In the afternoon, panelists discussed global forest partnerships.Thomas Geary, International Society of Tropical Foresters, discussed

the organization's mission of protecting, managing, and rationallyusing the world's tropical and subtropical forests. Bharat Pokharel,Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project, explained the importanceof community forestry in improving the livelihoods of the poor.

Diek van der Zel, Southern African Institute of Forestry, stressedthe need for greater volunteerism and financial resources to supportforestry work. Alan Pottinger, Commonwealth Forestry Association(CAF), indicated that CAF will provide forest information and facili-tate networking for its members, and continue to focus on educationand training. Jason Jabbour, International Forestry StudentsAssociation, discussed capacity building and institutional frame-works, and noted that youth are valuable partners today, not merelytomorrow's leaders.

Michael Goergen, Society of American Foresters (SAF), discussedSAF's role in providing: current information on forestry through pub-lications; leadership support; advice to political leaders and the press;and certification tests to ensure greater credibility of foresters. ShenGui, Chinese Society of Forestry, called for improved world forestrydevelopment, guaranteed global ecological safety, and increased edu-cational exchanges and international cooperation.

Len Moores, President of the CIF/IFC, discusses the organization’s initiativesover the past year.

Link to more information:http://www.cif-ifc.org

Contact:Thomas Geary: forestdr@verizon.netBharat Pokharel: bk_pokharel@nscfp.org.npDiek van der Zel: dokdiek@mweb.co.zaAlan Pottinger: cfa@cfa-international.orgJason Jabbour: jason.jabbour@utoronto.caMichael Goergen: goergenm@safnet.orgShen Gui: shengui-a@sohu.com

4XII World Forestry Congress Bulletin, SD Vol. 10 No. 5, Monday, 22 September 2003

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAYGENERAL SESSION: The Programme Opening will take place

at 9:00 am in room 200 to hear stakeholder perspectives, includingthose of the forest community, forest workers, indigenous peoples,the forest industry, private forest owners, environmental NGOs,forestry research organizations and youth. The Session will recon-vene at 2:30 pm for a presentation of the Congress programme.

PLENARY SESSION: Plenary will convene at 2:45 pm in room200 to hear introductions to Theme Session A (Forests for People)and Theme Session B (Forests for the Planet).

THEME SESSIONS: Theme Sessions A and B will convene at4:00 pm to discuss: forests and human needs in room 206 ABC;valuation of forest resources and products in room 2000 D; forestwork in room 205 ABC; state of the forest and assessment tech-niques in room 2000 C; maintenance of biodiversity in room 200 C;forest protection in room 200 AB; tree improvement in room 2000B; management for non-timber forest products in room 204 AB;and agroforestry systems in room 2000 A.

A world of forest practitionersPresented by the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier duCanada (CIF/IFC)

http://www.cif-ifc.org