Ministers and head of delegations from the F-11 countries met on the eve of the Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Environmental Ministers Forum on the 23rd of February 2010, in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.
The Ministerial Meeting was marked by the inauguration of the F-11 website, www. forest-eleven.or.id. The website aims to enable all stakeholders to interact and better understand the work being undertaken by F-11 countries on forest related issues and forest management, including on protection, restoration, afforestation and reforestation, and increase efforts to prevent forest degradation and to reverse the loss of forest cover. Ministers encouraged all stakeholders and interested parties to visit the website.
Another vital milestone in the cooperation was the launch of the program of work and strategic plan that will serve as the implementation mechanism for F-11 projects to be completed in the period of 2010-2011. Projects to be undertaken by F-11 countries in the immediate future includes remote sensing for monitoring deforestation and forest degradation; and enhancing the role of community-based forest management on climate resilience for adaptation and mitigation.
The projects being undertaken underscore the commitment of F-11 countries to work closely together in the framework of South-South Cooperation. At the same time Ministers also shared common understanding on the complementary role of triangular cooperation in advancing the implementation of the F-11 cooperation.
F-11 Ministers also discussed a wide range of topics relating to forest-related issues including biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable forest management. Discussions also touched upon issues related to the UNEP Governing Council/Environmental Ministers Forum. This is inline with the Group’s goal which is to strengthen dialogue, consultations and cooperation to promote sustainable forest management, support the achievement of sustained economic growth, sustainable development, and the eradication of poverty as elaborated in the Millennium Development Goals, while contributing to global efforts at alleviating the adverse impacts of climate change and stabilizing the global climate.
Ministers noted the revival of forestry issues being raised in international forums in recent years. They stressed that the fight against environmental degradation and climate change cannot be won unless our forests are managed in a sustainable manner.
They noted the importance placed on reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and the need to enhance removals of greenhouse gas emission by forests. Ministers stressed that agreement to provide positive incentives to such actions through the mobilization of financial resources from developed countries must be urgently reached.
Ministers also emphasized that technology development and transfer are crucial for developing countries to address climate change. Developing countries require financial support, experience and know-how. To accelerate such technology development, greater international cooperation and support is necessary. They urge developed countries to assist developing countries through the provision of sufficient funding and closer cooperation in joint R&D activities.
Looking forward to 2010, Ministers emphasized that an agreed outcome at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change must include the issue of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation as an integral component, according to the Bali Action Plan. Ministers also stressed the importance to ensure that the protection and enhancement of forests are part of the 2010 biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and recognized the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, which presents a unique opportunity to reinforce national, regional and international efforts in implementing the threefold objectives of the CBD. In this connection, Ministers also emphasized the importance of finalizing and adopting a legally binding international regime on Access and Benefit-sharing by 2010.
Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that tropical rainforests, which serve as sources of livelihood and repository of the cultural heritage of vast numbers of people, as well as serving as habitat for diverse biological species and storehouses of genetic resources, can help sustain present and future generations.
Ministers welcome the admission of Guatemala, Guyana and Suriname into the Forest Eleven.
Ministers look forward to participating in the UNEP Governing Council/Environmental Ministers Forum.