10 March 2011: The Governments of Japan and Indonesia co-hosted an international seminar entitled “Challenges of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM): Integrating Environmental, Social and Economic Values of Forests.” The seminar, a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) in support of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), was held in Tokyo, Japan from 8-10 March, as a collaborative initiative for the 2011 International Year of Forests.

Co-organized by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Forests Europe and the Montreal Process, the meeting brought together international experts from 30 countries to: discuss international trends related to SFM in the last two decades, including policy tools and instruments for emerging issues; review the development and implementation of SFM policy tools, and share experiences and lessons learned; and discuss challenges and opportunities ahead and consider possible future actors advancing SFM.

Presentations were made on: the application of various criteria and indicators schemes, including the Montreal, Tarapoto and Tehran Processes, at the national and international level; guidelines for biodiversity conservation, good governance and forest degradation; and certification and legality verification. A panel discussion was held on the most pressing issues facing SFM. The Co-Chair’s summary report will be made available on the meeting’s website. [CLI on Challenges of Sustainable Forest Management]