Commonwealth Forests

bullet1 Chapter 7 The Commonwealth and the international forestry dialogue

bullet2 THE COMMONWEALTH FORESTRY CONFERENCE

The Conference is an informal forum for foresters, and all those with an interest in the forestry sector, to meet to exchange knowledge and experience.  It is hosted by different Commonwealth countries and the aim has been to hold Conferences at approximately four yearly intervals.  It has been the custom to issue a Declaration or Recommendations at the end of each Conference, addressed to Commonwealth governments, especially to the meetings of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM).

A Standing Committee on Commonwealth Forestry (SCCF) was established on the occasion of the Conference in 1923.  Its role is to:

  • provide continuity between one Conference and the next, including close liaison with host countries in their preparations, and follow-up actions;

  • determine the Conference theme and format, invite speakers, commission papers and issue appropriate guidance notes;

  • issue periodic newsletters to keep interested parties throughout the Commonwealth informed of arrangements and relevant activities;

  • take appropriate follow-up action on Commonwealth Conference recommendations.

The Committee consists of one representative from each independent Commonwealth government (usually the head of the Forest Service or its equivalent), together with a number of co-opted advisory members.  The co-opted members include the Commonwealth Forestry Association, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK Department for International Development.  The UK Forestry Commission provides the Secretariat. Commonwealth Forestry Conferences have been held since 1920 when the first (Empire) Forestry Conference was held in London.  Table 7.1 shows the venues and themes for recent Conferences.

Discussions in the early Conferences were related to general aspects of forest management but the themes have developed to reflect the changing priorities of the forestry sector and cover social, economic, policy and the broader environmental dimensions.  At the same time the programme has evolved with the emphasis in recent years less on plenary sessions and more on discussions in small groups.  Participation at the Conferences is rarely more than about 400 and the atmosphere has always been low-key and informal, facilitating discussion and the exchange of experiences between Commonwealth foresters.