The International Year of Forests 2011 was launched during the High-Level Segment at UNFF 9, and roundtable discussions addressed forests and people, forests and finance, “forests-plus,” and forests and Rio+20 (UN Conference on Sustainable Development, or UNCSD).
4 February 2011: The ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF9), which focused on the theme “Forests for people, livelihoods and poverty eradication,” was held from 24 January-4 February 2011, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. Over 700 participants attended the two-week session, which addressed: the International Year of Forests (Forests 2011); forests for people, livelihoods and poverty eradication; and means of implementation for sustainable forest management (SFM).
Delegates also attended a two-day High-Level Segment, which included the official launch of Forests 2011, and four High-Level Roundtables on: forests and people; forests and finance; “forests-plus”; and, forests and Rio+20 (UN Conference on Sustainable Development, or UNCSD). The Ministerial Declaration was adopted on Thursday, 3 February.
Delegates also participated in a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue and a panel discussion on food, energy and economic challenges with a special focus on women and children. Delegates spent much of their time discussing aspects and sharing national experiences and lessons learned on the theme “Forests for People, Livelihoods and Poverty Eradication,” identifying concrete means through which SFM can contribute to poverty eradication and human well-being. Delegates adopted the Resolution on Forests for People, Livelihoods and Poverty Eradication, which includes sections on: assessment of progress for achieving the Global Objectives on Forests and implementing the Forest Instrument; regional cooperation; Forests 2011; enhanced cooperation; means of implementation; and actions for states and other relevant actors regarding forests for people, livelihoods and poverty eradication. [IISD RS Coverage of UNFF 9]