XIVth World Forestry Congress
7 - 11 September, 2015
Durban
Presentation by the Secretariat 2015 World Forestry Congress
The World Forestry Congress
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Previous Congress Participation
•
A continuous expansion
1972 = 2 000 participants
1991 = 2 700 participants (35%)
1997 = 4 400 participants (63%)
2003 = 5 000 participants (14%)
2009 = 7 000 participants (40%)
2015 = 10 000 participants expected (43%)
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Principles Governing the Organization of the WFC
• The World Forestry Congress aims to:
• encourage a debate of ideas and experiences;
• faciliate discussions on all aspects concerning forestry;
• lead to the conclusion of recommendations applicable on a regional or global scale;
report on the current status of forests worldwide;
• identify trends;
• adapt policies;
• promote awareness training among decision-makers, the general public and all
intervenors.
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Principles Governing the Organization of the WFC Cont.
• The Congress is not:
• an intergovernmental meeting made up of official lobby groups or national
delegations
• The Congress must be considered as:
• a meeting between all those who look after forests and forestry globaly.
Their contribution and grasp of forestry issues will be solicited during the preparatory
work of the Congress.
It has a consultative, and not a policy-setting role
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Principles Governing the Organization of the WFC Cont.
• The Congress’s guidelines for debates are designed to:
• synthesize know-how and expertise that might influence the choice of specific steps
to take towards the development and implementation of a forestry policy;
• facilitate the expression of ideas to assist organizations better direct research;
• lead to the emergence of concepts to assist international agencies active in forestry
to organize their mandates;
• support the development and universal acceptance of specific technical standards
such as a global terminology base.
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The World Forestry Congress is open to all parties interested in
forests and the forestry sector of member-countries of the
FAO or the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
These include scientists, technicians, managers and
administrators of all spheres of activity
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Expectations of the FAO of the Host Country
• Promoting the event
• Publishing information documents
• Ensure participants’ contribution in the Congress
• Availability of technical documentation during the Congress
• Efficient functioning of the Secretariat
• A judicious choice of Congress officials
• Provision of conference services
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XIV WFC 2015: Steps Towards Candidacy
• October 2009: At the XIII World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, South
Africa signaled its interest to host the XIV World Forestry Congress in 2015
• May 2010: The Cabinet approved South Africa’s bid for the Congress
• September 2010: South Africa submits bid to FAO to host the Congress at the Chief
Albert Luthuli ICC in Durban, KZN
• October 2010: South Africa presents the bid to the Committee on Forestry (COFO)
meeting
• December 2010: FAO Council approves South Africa’s bid against that of India to host
the Congress in Durban
• September 2012: Co-operation Agreement for hosting the Congress signed between
SA and the FAO, dates are set for 7 to 11 September 2015. Co-operation Agreement
stipulates responsibilities of both parties
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XIV WFC 2015: Steps Towards Candidacy Cont.
• Some of the principles enshrined in the Co-operation Agreement include:
• Organized in partnership and following the FAO Guidelines
• Focus on participation, exchange of ideas and experiences
• Articulated around a theme and sub-themes
• Structured and efficient organisation
• Balanced program of activities (technical sessions, associated events, exhibits, tours
and field trip)
• Enlarged promotion and diffusion of information
• Virtual Congress and participation through Internet
• Put in place an Organizing Committee and a Secretariat
• Establish a working link between the Secretariat and the supportive unit at the FAO
• Define a theme in collaboration with the FAO Task Force
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XIV WFC 2015: FAO Requirements
• Between 30 to 36 months before the Congress
• Sign the RSA/FAO Co-operation Agreement
• Put in place the Organizing Committee and the Secretariat
• Define the Congress Theme
• Release the first announcement
• First call for communication and posters
• Draft Program in the first information bulletin
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XIV WFC 2015: FAO Requirements
• Between 10 to 16 months before the Congress
• First selection of volontary papers
• Preparation of satellite meetings and side events
• Distribution of technical documentation
• Registration of participants
• Accommodation and other logistics
• Arrangements in preparation of the Congress
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Government’s Responsibilities
FAO Forestry
Department
Government
of South Africa
Host Institution
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
International Advisory
Committee
Friends of
XIV WFC 2015
FAO Support Unit
Associate Secretary -General
Organizing Committee
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Government’s Objectives
• First and Foremost:
• To make a success of the Congress
• Furthermore:
• To provide a forum of discussion for the international forestry community
• To have impact on forest management practices at the international level
• To place Africa’s interest on the Global Agenda
• To use the opportunity offered by the Congress:
• To make known forest practices, management methods and new knowledge
acquired in South Africa and Africa towards Sustainable Forest Management
• To ensure support for a Global Forest Dialogue
• To develop a congress organizing structure based on partnership
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Host Institution Activities
• Establishment of a Not-For-Profit Organisation : WFC 2015
• Research towards a general theme
• Secretary-General selection and appointment
• Secretariat established
• Formulating a Theme
• Congress Logo
• Congress Website
• Funding of initial activities
• Research and selection of a Touring management company
• Established of the Organizing Committe
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XIV WFC 2015 Theme
• FAO desire a theme that would be:
• attractive to a wide range of interest;
• relate to a number of different technical and policy-related topics;
• lay the basis for the eventual declaration;
• take into account suggestions from other countries; and
• be relate to the human aspect of forestry.
• Axis on which the theme could be built
• Balance relationship between the human and the forest.
• Common responsibility for a healthy forest
• Future for all and a legacy for future generations
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XIV WFC 2015 Theme
• Previous Congress Themes
• The Role and Place of Forested area in the General Land Economy and Economic
Development of a Country (India 1954)
• Multiple Use of Forestry and Associated Lands (USA 1960)
• The role of Forestry in the changing world economy (Spain 1966)
• Forests and Socio Economic Development
• Forests for People (Indonesia 1978)
• Forest Resources in the Integral Development of Society (Mexico 1985)
• Forests: A heritage for the future (France 1991)
• Forestry for Sustainable Development: Towards the 21st Century (Turkey 1997)
• Forests: Sorce of life (Canada 2003)
• Forests in Development: a vital balance (Argentina 2009)
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XIVth WFC 2015 Theme
• Initial proposed Theme:
• Land and Forests: balancing the multifunction in the New Millenium
• Other suggestions being considered:
• Forests in a Climatic Change
• Forests: Global livelihood benefit
• Process towards submission of the Theme to FAO
• Discussion of the theme at the AFWC resulted in an extended period of consultation
until 18 October 2013
• The Asia Pacific Regional Commission provided inputs in Nov 2013 to
• Finalised recoomendations by 15 November 2013 by FAO
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XIV WFC 2015 Theme
• FAO compiled the different proposals as follows:
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Proposals from Regional Forestry Commissions
Africa
Forests and People: Forging a Sustainable Future (Republic of South Africa)
Conservation and development: biodiversity conservation and management of protected
areas against extractive operations (mining, petroleum, timber, agribusiness) (Réseau
des Aires Protégées d'Afrique Centrale)
Asia-Pacific
Forests in everyday life
Forests for food security
Forests for all
• Possible options based on the proposals
 Investing in our future: forests for life
 Forests and people: a sustainable legacy
 Forests: our green path to a sustainable future
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XIV WFC 2015 Theme
• Based on the proposals both DAFF and FAO agreed to theme as, Forests and
People: Investing in a Sustainable Future.
• Rational for South Africa / Africa
• Creating an investment climate for forestry sector in Africa
• Create awareness of forestry opportunities in Africa
• Promote the argument of community based forestry and benefits to rural
people
• Create and develop an institutional framework for community forestry in
South Africa, based on equity and empowerment
• Develop potential market access strategies South Africa industry to
participate in opportunities outside South Africa
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XIVth WFC 2015 Organisational Structure
FAO Forestry
Department
Government
of South Africa
Host Institution
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
International Advisory
Committee
Friends of
XIV WFC 2015
FAO Support Unit
Associate Secretary -General
Organizing Committee
Stakeholder
Committee
PR and
Communication
Committee
Events
Management
Committee
Related
Activities
Committee
Sponsorship
and Finance
Committee
CIFOR, IFC, ISTF, OIFQ, IUFRO, women,
youth, arts, museum, paint, sculpture...
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XIVth WFC 2015 Secretariate Structure
Organizing
Committee
Secretary-General
Programme Manager
Exe Sec and Adm Ass
OPERATIONAL UNITS
Stakeholder
Manager
PR and Communication
Manager
Events
Manager
Sponsorship
and Finance Manager
Marketing
Manager
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XIVth WFC 2015 Organisational Structure
FAO Forestry
Department
Host Institution
Government
of South Africa
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
International Advisory
Committee
Friends of
XIV WFC 2015
FAO Support Unit
Associate Secretary -General
Organizing Committee
Stakeholder
Committee
PR and
Communication
Committee
Related
Activities
Committee
Events
Management
Committee
Sponsorship
and Finance
Committee
Secretary-General
Programme Manager
Exe Sec and Adm Ass
OPERATIONAL UNITS
Stakeholder
Manager
PR and Communication
Manager
Events
Manager
Sponsorship
and Finance Manager
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Marketing
XIV WFC 2015: Mandate and Responsibilities of OC
• Mandate
• Plan and execute the promotion, the organization, the management and the
execution of the XIV WFC 2015
• Ensure involvement of all relevant stakeholders
• Ensure the success and the quality of the XIV WFC 2015
• Responsibilities
• Participate in the choice of the theme and the program
• Give strategic guidance to the Secretary General and the sub-committees
• Control the committee and the activities
• Follow the evolution of the implementation and propose modification as required
• Approve the final report of the Congress
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XIV WFC 2015: LOGO
• Based on the agreed theme the following has been adopted as the logo for
the Congress.
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XIV WFC 2015: Important Dates
• 31 March 2014
• Launch of the Congress Website
• March 2014
• 1st Meeting of the Organising Committee
• 23-27 June 2014
• 1st Announcement Brochure, registration, call for papers etc
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Expectations:
• Participation of all stakeholders in possess is vital to success to congress.
• ICFR - Heading of Research Sub committee of LOC
• Development of sub themes for the congress
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Thank You
Merci
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