February 2013: In preparation for the third Mediterranean Forest Week (III MFW), the Strategic Framework on Mediterranean Forests (SFMF) has been released.

The III MFW is convening from 17-21 March 2013 in Algeria.

The SFMF provides policy options for integrated forest and woodland management in Mediterranean forests, building on the multiple social, economic and environmental services provided by such ecosystems.

In particular, the SFMF presents recommendations on: improved sustainable production of forest goods and services; enhancement of the role of forests in rural development; promotion of landscape level forest governance and land tenure reform; wildfire prevention in the context of global change; enhanced climate change adaptation through the management of genetic resources and biodiversity; the restoration of degraded forests; the development of knowledge, training and communication tools; the enhancement of international cooperation; and finance for the implementation of forest policies and programmes.

Overall, the SFMF is intended to help countries address challenges to sustainable forest management in the Mediterranean, including poor land management, overuse and overexploitation, climate change, socioeconomic pressures and urbanization.

The III MFW is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the Government of Algeria and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) along with other partners. [Mediterranean Forest Week Press Release] [Publication: Rationale of the Strategic Framework on Mediterranean Forests] [Publication: Strategic lines of the Strategic Framework on Mediterranean Forests]