Collaborative action and technology transfer as means of strengthening the implementation of national-level criteria and indicators.

Abstract

AbstractInterest in the development and use of criteria and indicators as essential tools for sustainable forest management has grown rapidly. At present, some 150 countries have or are developing and implementing their own set of such tools, at regional, national and/or forest unit levels, within the framework of a number of ongoing processes and/or initiatives. The Food and Agriculture Organization is the focal point for this issue among United Nations (UN) agencies, acting as the 'facilitator' of those processes in accordance with the mandate and priorities and in line with the Organization's role as Task Manager for Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 'Combating Deforestation'. However, in order for the implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management to be successful, all parties involved (UN agencies, ongoing processes, governments and non-government organizations, the private sector including development banks, academic and research institutions) must join efforts to collaborate, transfer and share information, know-how, techniques and methodologies for measuring, assessing and monitoring the indicators with those countries and initiatives that are in need of assistance.