Argentina

http://www.mecon.gov.ar/
http://www.inta.gov.ar/

Australia

Canada

Chile

China

Japan

Republic of Korea

Mexico

New Zealand

Russian Federation

United States of America

Uruguay

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA) site established to inform Australian interest groups of developments within the Montréal Process Working Group on Criteria and Indicators. In addition this site provides information on the latest developments within Australia for progressing implementation of criteria and indicators.

http://www.affa.gov.au http://www.daff.gov.au/montrealprocess

The "Criteria and Indicators of sustainable forest management in Canada" describes Canada's capacity to measure forest sustainability based on the Canadian approach to criteria and indicators of 1995.

http://www.ccfm.org/current/ccitf_e.php
http://www.ccfm.org/current/ccitf_f.php

The United States Forest Service's web page on sustainable development with links to discussion papers on criteria and indicators.

http://www.sustainableforests.net
http://www.fs.fed.us/sustained

The European Ministerial Conferences aim to promote cooperation on the protection and sustainable management of forests in Europe.

http://www.mcpfe.org/

ITTO's page on policy development series includes timber certification and links to related papers.

http://www.itto.or.jp/live/index.jsp

The "Regional Workshop on the Definition of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainability of Amazonian Forests" was held in Tarapoto, Peru, February 23-25, 1995. Representatives of the Amazonian Cooperation Treaty Member Countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela) attended the meeting, as did representatives of FAO and UNDP. The meeting resulted in the Proposal of Sustainability Criteria and Indicators for the Amazon Forests (also know as the "Tarapoto Proposal"), which highlight special conditions and nature of the region. The twelve criteria and 77 associated indicators adopted were grouped in three categories: national level, management unit level and global services level.

Contact:

Ms Rosalia Arteaga
Secretary General, PS/ACTO, Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica (OTCA)(Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty), SHIS-QI 05, Conjunto 16 Casa 21, Lago Sul, CEP 71.615.160 Brasilia, DF, BRAZIL
Tel.: +55 (61) 2484119
Fax: +55 (61) 2484238
E-mail: rarteaga@otca.org.br

http://www.otca.info/

The "Expert Meeting on Criteria & Indicators (C&I) for Sustainable Forest Management in Central America" was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, January 20-24, 1997. The meeting, organized jointly by FAO, CCAD and CCAB-AP, was attended by representatives of Central American countries (Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), as well as the organizers and other interested organizations. The meeting resulted in 4 criteria and 40 indicators at the regional level, and 8 criteria and 52 indicators at the national level. Following the Expert Meeting, two sub-regional meetings later defined 5 criteria and 50 indicators at the forest management unit level.

* Lepaterique is a small community close to Tegucigalpa, where sustainable forest management has been promoted and is being implemented by local communities as an integral part of development.

Contact:

Mr. Juan Blas Zapata,
Executive Secretary,
Central American Council of Forestry and Protected Areas,
Apdo. Postal 2760
Tegucigalpa,
HONDURAS
Tel.: 504.20.0707
Fax: 504.20.0386
E-mail: afh@sdnhon.org.hn

http://rds.org.hn/forestal/manejo/criterios_indicadores/zapata.shtml

An Expert Meeting on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Dry Zone Africa was jointly organized by UNEP and FAO in Nairobi, Kenya, November 21-24, 1995. Fourteen experts from dry-zone African countries presently not involved in any international initiative and eight observers from ongoing processes participated. The outcome of the meeting was reported to the 10^th session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission held in South Africa November 27-1 December, 1995. The Commission commended the work carried out, endorsed the report of the Nairobi Expert Meeting, and recognized the need to further develop, improve and adapt the criteria and indicators.

Contact:

Mr. Jinhua Zhang,
Programme Officer,
Biodiversity Unit,
UNEP, Dry-zone Africa Process
P.O. Box 30552
Nairobi,
KENYA
Tel.: 254.2.624260
Fax: 254.2.624260
E-mail: Jinhua.zhang@unep.org

An Expert Meeting on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in the Near East was jointly organized by FAO and UNEP in Cairo, Egypt, October 15-17, 1996. Seventeen participants (14 experts and 3 observers) were invited, based on their specialized knowledge, and attended the meeting in their personal capacity. Observers included representatives from the Arab Centre for Studies of Arid Zones and Drylands (ACSAD) and the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD). The outcome of the meeting was reported to the 12th Session of the Near East Forestry Commission, which endorsed the recommendations of the Expert Meeting in principle, and made several follow-up recommendations. In response to some of these recommendations, FAO organized a workshop of the national Focal Points on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in Cairo, Egypt, in July 1997, in which the issue was further discussed and some progress was made towards implementation at the country level.

Contact:

Dr. Froylán Castañeda
Forestry Officer - Tropical Forest Management, Forest Resources Development Service, Forest Resources Division, Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN
Viale Delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100
Rome, ITALY
Tel: +39 06 5705.3834
Fax: +39 06 5705.5137
E-mail: froylan.castaneda@fao.org

Similar to other regional initiatives, the African Timber Organization identified its own criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management through field tests at forest management unit levels that could be utilized in its member countries. The ATO criteria and indicators may also be used as a scientific tool for classifying, qualifying and certifying the degree of management in any given forest area. The first draft of ATO criteria and indicators was compiled and included a set of five principles, two sub-principles, 28 criteria and 60 indicators.

Contact:

Secretary General,
African Timber Organization
B.P. 1077,
Libreville,
GABON
Telex: OAB 5620 GO
Fax: 241.734030
Tel.: 241.732928
E-mail: oab-gabon@internetgabon.com

The Regional Initiative for the Development and Implementation of National Level Criteria and Indicators for the Sustainable Management of Dry Forests in Asia aims to facilitate and enhance the involvement of countries in the region in understanding the potential of criteria and indicators for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management. In December 1999, representatives from eight Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand) launched an initiative to develop and implement Criteria and Indicators for the dry forests of Asia at a workshop convened in Bhopal, India. The workshop tentatively identified eight criteria and 49 indicators with particular relevance for the dry forests of the region. This new initiative includes several Asian countries not previously involved in other international C&I processes.

Contact:

Dr. Froylán Castañeda
(Forestry Officer - Tropical Forest Management)
Forest Resources Development Service
Forest Resources Division
Forestry Department, FAO
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
I-00100 Rome, Italy
Tel.: (39)(06) 5705-3834
Fax: (39)(06) 5707-5137
E-mail: froylan.castaneda@fao.org

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) leads international efforts to defeat hunger. The FAO is also the World Organization with responsibility for forests and is putting information within reach, sharing policy expertise, providing a meeting place for nations, and bringing knowledge to the field. Not least among FAO's efforts is management of a web site to share information about world efforts to utilize criteria and indicators for sustainable forestry management.

http://www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/forestry2/index.jsp?siteId=4462&sitetreeId=16587&langId=1&geoId=0

Finland hosted an open-ended intergovernmental seminar of experts on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management (the ISCI Seminar) on August 19-22, 1996 in Helsinki. The ISCI Seminar supported the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) which was established under the aegis of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UN/CSD). The Seminar aimed to promote and encourage national implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. It also studied the feasibility of their further development as well as their comparability and international compatibility. Comprehensive documentation on the issue of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management and options and opportunities provided for the use of the Panel are included at this site. Seminar results were introduced at the 3rd Session of the Panel in September 1996.

http://www.mmm.fi/isci/home.htm

Guatemala hosted an international meeting of experts on criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management (CICI-2003) on February 3-7, 2003, in Guatemala City.  Supported by Instituto Nacional de Bosques, Guatemala, FAO, ITTO, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Forest Service, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland, the CICI-2003 meeting was intended to enhance the development, implementation and use of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management as tools for monitoring, assessment and reporting on forest conditions and trends by countries, as well as influencing national policies and practices and international cooperation and collaboration in pursuing sustainable forest management - the forest sector's contribution to sustainable development.  Conference results were to be presented to all relevant regional and international forest fora throughout 2003, beginning with the 16th Session of COFO in March 2003.

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/005/Y8694E/y8694e00.htm#TopOfPage

Philippines hosted an international Expert Consultation on Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (ECCI-2004) on March 2-4, 2004, in Cebu City. Supported by FAO, ITTO, and the Forest Management Bureau of the Philippines, the ECCI-2004 meeting aimed to make recommendations for consideration by countries, C&I processes, UNFF and other international bodies and organizations involved in work on C&I. Three themes were identified and discussed to address the objectives of the consultation:

• Theme 1 - Communication and information management for enhancing the implementation of C&I for sustainable forest management;
• Theme 2 - Terms and definitions related to C&I for sustainable forest management;
• Theme 3 - Strengthening the C&I processes for better implementation.

The observations and recommendations formulated by the experts in this consultation were addressed to the fourth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-4), countries, experts, processes, organizations and others to further enhance the implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management on the ground. The participants adopted 42 observations and 48 recommendations for national and international action.

http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/MEETING/008/J2123E/J2123E00.HTM

IUFRO, University of Edinburgh, and UK Forest Research (Commission), hosted an international conference on sustainable forestry on April 4-8, 2005, in Edinburgh, UK. The conference aimed to demonstrate how scientific knowledge has evolved in recent years to address the challenges posed by sustainable forestry. All the disciplines addressed by this conference have a role to play in advancing and applying new principles and practices in support of sustainable forest resource management. The four disciplines addressed broadly by the conference included:

1. Science and Policy
2. Inventory and Monitoring
3. Statistics and Modelling
4. Information and Knowledge Management

Since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, forest management and forest research organizations around the world have been developing and testing new approaches to deliver sustainable forest management. Major international initiatives such as the Pan-European Process and the Montréal Process have subsequently emerged, and there is growing importance accorded to forest certification programs around the world. These developments attest to the international recognition and importance of sustainable forestry. With the above considerations in mind, the conference:

• Reviewed the current state of the art within each of the four major conference themes.
• Fostered dialog across thematic areas concerning both strategic and operational approaches to integrate research on sustainable forestry.
• Enhanced and encouraged international collaboration towards sustainable forestry practice worldwide.

http://www.iufro-edinburgh.org.uk/

CIFOR's objectives are to improve the scientific basis for ensuring the balanced management of forests and forest lands, to develop policies and technologies for sustainable use and management of forest goods and services and, to strengthen national capacities for research to support the development of policies and technologies for the optimal use of forests and forest lands.

http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/

EFI is an international association guided by its members and forming an extensive research network across Europe and beyond. The purpose of the Institute is to undertake research on forest policy, including its environmental aspects, ecology, multiple use, resources and health of European forests, supply and demand for timber and other forest products, and to prepare forecasts on future development of European forest resources and their utilization.

http://www.efi.fi/

The FAO is the largest autonomous agency within the United Nations system. The Organization offers direct development assistance, collects, analyzes and disseminates information, provides policy and planning advise to governments and acts as an international forum for debate on food and agriculture issues. The FAO programme in forestry addresses the issue of how to conserve the world's forests, while also using trees and forests to contribute to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the world's rapidly expanding population.

World Forestry Congress:

• XII WFC - Québec City, Canada, September 21-28, 2003

• XI World Forestry Congress - Antalya, Turkey, October 13-22, 1997

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) is an intergovernmental organization concerned with the conservation and sustainable development of the world's tropical forests. ITTO consists of a Secretariat based in Yokohama, Japan, and a Council made up of its 49 member governments, which between them account for over 80 per cent of the world's tropical rainforests and more than 95 per cent of the trade in tropical timber. The ITTO aims to provide an effective framework for consultation among producer and consumer member countries on all aspects of the world timber economy within its mandate.

http://www.itto.or.jp/

IUFRO is a non-profit, non-governmental international network of forest scientists. Its objectives are to promote international cooperation in forestry and forest products research. IUFRO's activities are organized primarily through its 270 specialized Units in 8 technical Divisions

http://iufro.boku.ac.at/

The United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides information for policy and action to conserve the living world. Their programs concentrate on species, forests, protected areas, marine areas, mountains and freshwaters, as well as habitats affected by climate change. They also address the relationship between trade and the environment and the wider aspects of biodiversity assessment. Their web site, a partnership between public and private sectors, allows easy access to wide-ranging information and analytical services about the environment.

http://ims.wcmc.org.uk/

The International Institute for Sustainable Development - Reporting Services Division - provides a variety of multimedia informational resources for environment and sustainable development policymakers, including daily coverage of international negotiations, analyses and photos. As the publisher of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, IISD RS is recognized for its objectivity and issue expertise in the field of international environment and sustainable development policy. The various products provided by IISD RS make it an essential source of information for government officials, policy and decision makers, UN staff, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, business, industry and academia.

http://www.iisd.ca/