13 March 2014: The UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) has released the advance version of the report of the first meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group on the International Arrangement on Forests (AHEG 1). AHEG 1 took place on 24-28 February 2014, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The report (E/CN.18/2015/10) notes the election of the AHEG co-chairs, Charles Barber of the US and Raymond Landveld of Suriname, and reaffirms the tasks of the group to review the performance and effectiveness of the international arrangement on forests (IAF) and the attainment of the multi-year programme of work of the UNFF.

The meeting reviewed 46 submissions of views on the IAF, considered an update on the independent review of its functioning, and discussed links with the ongoing processes to agree the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and define the UN’s post-2015 development agenda.

With regard to the submissions of views on the IAF, the meeting noted the strong support for the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), the International Year of Forests, and the work of the Country and Organization-led Initiatives (CLI and OLI) as well as the expert groups. However, submissions called for greater consideration of expert group outcomes, enhanced engagement of Major Groups, closer links to the SDGs and post-2015 development agenda, and stronger connections to the regional and sub-regional levels. Views remained divergent with regard to the need for a legally binding instrument and mechanisms for financing implementation.

In discussions following the presentation of inputs, participants called for more information on the independent review, and noted the importance of: finding innovative ways to implement UNFF decisions; securing financing for sustainable forest management (SFM); linking to relevant agreements and processes; and improving the understanding of the role of forests among policy makers, including through improving links between science and policy.

Strengths of the UNFF were highlighted as: increasing awareness of forests and forest-issues; the identification of the seven thematic elements of SFM; successful ties to the post-2015 development agenda and SDG discussions; and broad engagement on forests across UN agencies and agreements. However, the report finds, the UNFF falls short on implementation, including financing, on coordination and participation by the CPF, and on demonstrating the impacts of links with forest elements in the Rio Conventions.

Based on discussions, the Co-Chairs suggest a number of actions, including the revision and updating of the UNFF mandate, further consideration of a legally binding instrument, and improved partnerships including on reporting, indicators, and data sharing. The Co-Chairs further suggest a series of actions to strengthen the UNFF Secretariat and the CPF. Finally discussions on financing resulted in recommending a separate fund for forests, enhanced action under the Facilitative Process, and improved enabling environments to attract SFM investments. [Publication: Report of the first meeting of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group on the International Arrangement on Forests]