15 February 2014: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has published the third edition of Infosylva for 2014, highlighting the launch of a new forestry website in Vanuatu, the recognition of forests by the UN Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the increasing trend towards community owned forests in Latin America.

The newsletter also features a report revealing that less than 2 percent of Haiti’s land area is forested, and notes that funding is being sought in Guinea for a reforestation project in public spaces in Conakry.

With regard to FAO publications, the newsletter discusses a report on the future of sustainability issues in Africa’s tropical wood markets, noting that while European markets are seeking legal and certified products, Asian markets are more interested in raw materials. The newsletter also reports on a study on the important role of trees and forests in preventing landslides in Asia and the need to consider both scientific issues as well as socio-economic costs and benefits.

The newsletter draws attention to the International Day of Forests, celebrated on 21 March, announcing the release of an awareness raising video in seven languages. Furthermore, the newsletter states that the report of the 25th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission is available online, addressing the theme ‘forests for prosperity.’ [Publication: Infosylva 03/2014]