The Australian Government hosted a successful 30th session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC).
More than 150 delegates from the Asia-Pacific region came together in Sydney on 2-6 October to discuss forestry priorities across the region. The theme for the event was 'Sustainable Forests for a Sustainable Future'.
The event also provided a valuable opportunity for Australia's world-class sustainable forestry sector to be showcased on the world stage, to some of our key trading partners.
As a part of the program, delegates also participated in field trips that showcased the full spectrum of sustainable forest management and supply chain operations across Australian industry sectors and government agencies.
Locations included Barangaroo Engineered Timber Buildings, where delegates saw how sustainably sourced timber can be a low carbon alternative to concrete buildings.
Delegates also visited sustainable native forestry operations in the Hunter Valley, and the Australian PlantBank lab and nursery, learning about protecting Australia's endangered plants and genetic diversity.
The key outcome of APFC 30 was the successful adoption of the session report, which included priority work areas and key considerations for FAO forestry and member countries across the Asia-Pacific. These priorities will be considered under FAO's Programme of Work in Forestry.
Delegates also discussed ways to enhance sustainable forest management in the region, including:
- investing in future timber supply and efficient use of timber resources.
- increasing the use of sustainable wood and wood products to reduce construction emissions.
- enhancing legal and sustainable wood value chains.
- improving the restoration of forests and landscapes and protecting and restoring biodiversity, which will lessen the effects of climate change.
- focusing on the importance of Indigenous peoples for their knowledge of forest and land management.
- working to manage and reduce the harmful impacts of wildfires, pests, and diseases on forests.
The APFC week also included Dialogue Day, a pre-session day of side events, workshops and an information marketplace, where delegates came together for interactive discussions, sharing knowledge and informal networking opportunities.
APFC 30 was followed by the 32nd meeting of the Montreal Process Working Group (MPWG).
The MPWG aims to advance sustainable forest management reporting criteria and indicators for temperate and boreal forests. Nine of its 12 member countries participated in person and virtually.
A key outcome of MPWG 32 was the Montreal Process Sydney Initiative, to establish a framework of criteria and indicators to monitor forest degradation for temperate and boreal forests.
