13th World Forestry Congress
Argentina, October 2009
The 13th World Forestry Congress was held in Argentina in October 2009. The Congress was an opportunity to showcase New Zealand forestry practices, policies, science and research through one week of presentations, conferences, roundtable discussions, parallel events and exhibits.The Congress is held every six years and this time was organised by the FAO with the support of the Republic of Argentina. The theme of the Congress was “Forests in Development: A Vital Balance”.
Hon David Carter, the Minister of Forestry, delivered a keynote speech at the Congress on the role of forests. To view the speech visit www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/keynote+address+world+forestry+congress.
The 2008 New Zealand country report on the Montreal Process Criteria and Indicators was launched at the Congress. The report provides an overview of the current state of New Zealand’s forests and indicates the changes measured by the indicators in New Zealand’s sustainable forest management since the last report in 2003. More information about the Montreal Process, including a link to the report, can be found at www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/montreal-process/.
New Zealand-based presenters covered contemporary research on forest products, energy and productive capacity, agroforestry and forestry and communities. New Zealand presenters included Tim Payn, Peter Clinton, Dave Cown and Michael Jack from Scion, Scientist Don Mead and Lake Taupo Forest Trust CEO George Asher. Doug Ducker, Managing Director of Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd, participated in the Congress Business Roundtable.
Information on alternatives to Methyl Bromide, a topic of current importance to the log export industry was provided at the exhibition booth on the Montreal Protocol. Information on work being undertaken in New Zealand to reduce the use of methyl bromide can be found at www.stimbr.org.nz.
The Congress attracted over 7000 attendees and featured a full programme of key discussions and side events covering the science and business of forestry but with a significant focus on related issues such as climate change, water, other sectors and social impacts. The focus seemed to underscore a new urgency around understanding the roles forests have and will play on the planet.
The final declaration of the Congress focused on the different roles of forests and the need for an inclusive approach – across sectors and organisations – to address the many challenges that forests face and can assist in addressing. The final declaration can be found at www.cfm2009.org/en/seccion.asp?IdSeccion=161. Daily reporting on the Congress can be found at http://www.iisd.ca/YMB/FOREST/WFC13/.
The date and venue of the next World Forestry Congress is still to be confirmed.
Contact for Enquiries
Policy Analyst
International Policy Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0742
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