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First Meeting for the Promotion of Asia Forest Partnership (AFP)
Summary of Discussions

11 November 2002
Mita Kaigisho, Tokyo, Japan

1. Program and Participants

On 11 November, 2002, the "First Meeting for the Promotion of Asia Forest Partnership (AFP)" was held in Tokyo, Japan, hosted jointly by the Government of Japan, the Government of Indonesia, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 57 Representatives from AFP Partners (12 governments, 7 Intergovernmental Organizations, 1 NGO) and 41 Observers (3 governments, 4 Intergovernmental/Quasi-Governmental Organizations, 24 entities from Civil Society) participated the meeting. The program and the list of participants are attached.

2. Opening Remarks

In her opening remarks, representing the host country, Ms. Shinako Tsuchiya, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan, stressed the importance of promoting sustainable forest management in Asia in order to advance its economic prosperity and environmental well-being. She spoke about the contributions of Japan to promoting sustainable forest management in the ASEAN region and in China through a variety of schemes including Official Development Assistance (ODA) and through the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). She also emphasized the need for further action by the international community in order to ensure that the multiple benefits of forests for future generations are realized. For this purpose, she stressed the significance of AFP as a new and innovative partnership which was officially launched during the WSSD.

3. Keynote Speeches

In his keynote speech, Mr. Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, Ambassador for Global Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, mentioned the uniqueness of AFP's avant garde attitude in taking up forests as a partnership issue and in adopting a multi-stakeholders approach. He stressed that sustainable forest management is absolutely crucial for human kind and that each country must adopt a responsible attitude and implement credible measures to ensure superior forest assets for future generations. He presented the new Forests and Forestry Basic Law, enacted in Japan last year, with which Japan wishes to provide continuous technical knowledge and cooperation to the rest of the world so that sustainable forest management will be a viable option around the globe. He also emphasized that the most important ingredient to promote sustainable forest management is, by far, human commitment.

Mr. Wahjudi Wardojo, Secretary General, Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia, expressed the Indonesian Government's willingness to promote AFP, and explained their priorities on forest policy, such as, combating illegal logging, controlling forest fire, restructuring the forestry sector, forest rehabilitation and natural resources conservation, and decentralization of the forestry sector. He also explained their three approaches to tackling illegal logging: improvement of forest management and administration, improvement of human welfare, through, among others, development of social forestry, and promoting effective law enforcement. He invited governments from within and outside Asia, and organizations, to join and support AFP in order to promote sustainable forest management in Asia.

Dr. David Kaimowitz, Director General, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), mentioned that besides damaging the environment, illegal logging causes loss of government revenue and weakens the rule of law. He stressed that producing and consuming countries must cooperate to solve the problem, which cannot be solved by law enforcement alone. He noted that forest fires and forest rehabilitation will play a decisive role in the long-term future of Asia's forest so it is appropriate for the partnership to also address those topics. He stressed that since a large number of actors are involved in these issues, a multi-stakeholder approach such as the AFP can provide a useful forum for exchanging ideas and coordinating activities. He also emphasized that CIFOR is honored to play a leading role in helping to make timely, relevant, and accurate information available to the partners and others.

  • Transparent, participatory workplan preparation including agreement on shared goals and priorities, joint activities, timetable, roles and responsibilities.
  • Active coordination with other relevant ongoing processes (e.g. FLEG, ITTO, Indonesia-UK bilateral plan of action).
  • Allocation of resources by partners to support the participation by those who need support and resources for participation in the AFP process and in agreed actions.
  • Effective information dissemination and transparency (CIFOR could play this role).

4. Session on Combating Illegal Logging

The session was started with presentations by the representatives of Japan, Indonesia, USA, EC, TNC, and some other partners, followed by discussion on how international cooperation can effectively contribute to combat illegal logging.

In the discussion, it was pointed out that enhancing exchange of information among partners on various on-going initiatives and/or new ideas would be of great benefit in achieving the objectives of AFP. CIFOR has kindly accepted the task of collecting and disseminating such information through its internet web site, and it was proposed also that other partners should, to the extent possible, cooperate in information exchange, by such measures as devoting part of their respective web sites to this end and/or by linking them with CIFOR's web-site. It was pointed out, in this connection, that partner countries should be encouraged to translate information provided under AFP into respective languages from the viewpoint of transparency.

It was pointed out also that the issue of illegal logging should be tackled in a wholistic manner, taking into account the cross-sectoral nature of factors underlying illegal activities, such as poverty, the imbalance of supply vs demand, and to some extent due to process of decentralization.

It was noted that, although there are a wide range of activities already undertaken in the region, substantial resources would be still needed to effectively tackle the issues we face. It was noted, on the other hand, that it would be unrealistic to expect such resources to be secured instantaneously. It was proposed, in this regard, that stocktaking of on-going and already implemented efforts be promoted as the first step for AFP, as it could eventually contribute to efficient utilization of existing resources as well as to securing additional resources. It was proposed also that the partners should continue their respective on-going efforts, including bilateral initiatives, which may be developed and broadened to a concerted initiative under AFP in the future.

Some participants referred to third-party certification and wood tracking systems as potentially useful measures in tackling illegal logging, and it was agreed that this matter would merit further discussions under AFP, possibly with creation of a more specific working group. It was pointed out in this connection that the business sector should be further encouraged to participate in AFP in order to link the efforts made in exporting countries and 'green purchasing' policies required under ISO14001 in importing countries.

A need to promote AFP's activities in a phased manner was stressed by some partners, but it was noted also that this matter should be further discussed, building upon the stocktaking of existing initiatives.

5. Session on Prevention of Forest Fire and Rehabilitation and Reforestation of Degraded Lands

This session was started with presentations by the representatives of Malaysia, ITTO, China, CIFOR, UNU, and some other partners, followed by discussion on how international cooperation can effectively contribute to preventing forest fire and to rehabilitating and reforesting degraded lands.

In the discussion, it was pointed out that there have been considerable efforts devoted in these areas, so exchange of information among partners is very useful. The importance of cooperation with local communities and capacity building in order to promote prevention of forest fire and rehabilitation and reforestation of degraded lands was stressed. It was noted that the 3rd International Wildland Fire Conference and Exhibition and the International Wildland Fire Summit to be organized in October 2003 by Australia, in particular the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, would contribute to the promotion of AFP, as a concrete contribution to AFP.

6. Wrap-Up Session

Discussions in the wrap-up session focused on what should be the AFP's next steps. As were stressed in the previous sessions, the need of sharing and exchanging information among partners, and of inviting more partners particularly from civil society and business sector, were reiterated. It was proposed that the activities of AFP be linked with other existing initiatives in Asia region, such as Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI). The needs for further narrowing down the focus of AFP's work and setting a clear timeframe were stressed by some partners.

The Government of Indonesia proposed that the next AFP meeting be held in Indonesia within the next 12 months, and the participants present welcomed this offer. It was suggested also that some partners could meet at the next UNFF meeting to be held in Geneva late May to early June 2003, where illegal logging and prevention of forest fire would be part of the agenda, to discuss the next step to be taken by AFP.

In concluding the session, it was proposed that some willing partners form a small discussion group to discuss how AFP should proceed toward the next meeting and beyond, including the organization of proposed meetings in Geneva and in Indonesia.

7. Closing Remarks

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ariyuki Matsumoto, Deputy Director-General, Forestry Agency of Japan, expressed his appreciation to all participants for showing their interest in and willingness to contribute to the Asia Forest Partnership. He stressed the need to utilize existing resources as efficiently and effectively as possible, to enhance communication among partners and interested parties, and to encourage further participation of interested parties.

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