Primary issues scheduled for decision by means of negotiated resolutions

1. Tenth Session of the United Nations Forum on ForestsIstanbul, April 2013Noel O’Connor,International Forestry Policy Division.

2. Primary issues scheduled for decision by means of negotiated resolutions • The two main topics for this UNFF session are • (1) Forests and economic development and (2) Means of Implementation for Sustainable Forest Management.

3. Forests and Economic Development • Debate will be guided by detailed background papers on the economic contribution of forests and on demographic, economic and climate trends that may affect the future of forests • UNFF10 will also consider a specific report on this subject by the UN Secretary General. • The Forum members will aim to adopt a resolution by consensus on Forests and Economic Development

4. Means of Implementation for Sustainable Forest Management • Finance has been a long-standing issue in international forest negotiations which have repeatedly discussed different options for SFM financing, particularly the possible establishment of a Global Forest Fund. • An expert group was established in 2011 with a view to making proposals on strategies to mobilise resources for SFM implementation • This group recently concluded its work and forwarded its recommendations to UNFF10 which has been mandated to reach a "meaningful decision" on the subject

5. Further issues for consideration at UNFF10 • UNFFs plan of work for the period leading to the 11th session (UNFF11) to be held in 2015 • Emerging issues such as the role of forests in the context of the Rio+20 follow-up and the post-2015 UN development agenda processes • A High-Level Ministerial Segment, including roundtables, will guide deliberations on these matters and on the primary issues scheduled for decision.

6. Review of the Forest Instrument in 2015, Rio+20 follow-up and post-2015 development agenda • UNFF10 will also seek to decide on its plan of work for the period 2013-2015 in order to enable Member states (at UNFF11 in 2015) to make a decision on the future international and institutional arrangement on forests. • This contentious subject will need to take account of the on-going UN processes linked to the post-2015 development agenda (i.e. post-Millennium Development Goals and the Rio+20 follow-up notably the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals).

7. Current Issues being discussed and developed at EU Level Among the issues under preparation at EU level are • Draft Statements for UNFF10 agenda items • Practical Arrangements re EU co-ordination and modalities for EU representation/speaking at external fora following the Lisbon Treaty • Arrangements which are acceptable to MS, the Presidency and the European Commission – Balance! • Preparations for Ministerial involvement • Forest Finance – EU position in favour of better use of existing resources

8. EU preparations and participation at UNFF10 • The Irish Presidency continues to refine and finalise EU preparations through the Council Working party on Forestry (CWPF). • UNFF10 preparations have featured as a priority issue on the agendas of CWPF meeting which have been held in January, February and March 2013. • Most importantly and to conclude, the Irish Presidency wishes to put on record our deep gratitude to our EU partners for the enhanced co-operation which has been forthcoming by way of burden sharing in formulating EU statements for UNFF10. We are in your hands!

9. Thanks for your attention Discussion