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Commonwealth
Forests | | |
 (a) The World Forestry Congress
World Forestry Congresses serve as a forum for governments, universities, civil society and
the private sector to exchange views and experiences and to formulate recommendations for
implementation at national, regional and global levels. The Congress also provides an
opportunity for the sector to produce an overview of the state of forests and forestry in order to
discern trends, adapt policies and raise awareness of issues among decision-makers, the
public and other parties concerned.
The first and second World Forestry Congresses were organised by the International Forestry
Institute, in 1926 in Rome and in 1936 in Budapest. Subsequent Congresses have been held
approximately every six years, organised by a host country and sponsored by FAO, which
provides the permanent Secretariat. The functions of the Congress are advisory, not executive,
and participants attend the Congress in their personal capacity. The implementation of
recommendations is a matter solely for those to whom they are addressed - for example,
governments, international organisations, scientific bodies or forest owners. The outcomes are
brought to the attention of the FAO Conference, which may consider endorsing any declaration
coming from the Congress.
One of the most influential World Forestry Congresses was the Eighth with its theme of forests
for people. It led to greater global appreciation of the need for the participation of communities
and individuals (“stakeholders”) in planning and decision-making in forest management.
The next Congress will be held in Argentina, in 2009, possibly in October.
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