2011: International Year of Forests

‘Forests for People’ is the main theme of the year. It highlights the dynamic relationship between forests and the people who depend on them, writes FAYE DUEGA.

FORESTS cover 31% of total global land area and store more than 1 trillion tons of carbon. Over 1.6 billion people’s livelihoods depend on forests.
Forests are home to 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity. Thirty percent of forests are used for production of wood and non-wood products. Forests are home to 300 million people around the world.
Deforestation accounts for 12-20%  of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
Everyone from governments and the UN system, to major groups and other forest-related organisations are invited to come together to raise awareness on strengthening the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.
This year is International Year of Forests as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 61/193 on Dec 20, 2006.
The official launch ceremony took place as part of a high level ministerial segment of the ninth session of the UN Forum on Forests at UN Headquarters on Feb 2. Representing Papua New Guinea at the launch was the third secretary for the PNG UN Permanent Mission, Dino Mas, the national forest service’s director for forest policy and planning Dr Ruth Turia and policy officer Mr Alois Jenkihau.
The launch ceremony featured high level guest speakers from around the world, and the showing of clips of winning films from the International Forest Film Festival.
As a branding strategy and as a way of easily promoting the year, the International Year of Forests, 2011 is being referred to as “Forests 2011”.
Forests 2011 offers a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the significant contributions of forests around the world, but also to highlight challenges facing many of the world’s forests and the people who depend on them. By showcasing success stories and solutions, the year will galvanise greater public participation in forest-related activities.
“Forests for People” is the main theme of the year. It highlights the dynamic relationship between forests and the people who depend on them.
The year is a global event to be celebrated at all levels – regional, national and local. A variety of events have already been planned worldwide, and more continue to develop. Activities include tree planting, reforestation efforts, forestry fairs, conferences and competitions in areas ranging from photography and art to athletic triathlons in forests. Other activities include publication of books, educational materials, public service announcements and media campaigns.
While the year will be a global event, the majority of activities to celebrate the International Year will take place at the national level. National committees and Forests 2011 focal points are responsible for coordinating and publicising country-level celebrations and communicating these plans and results to the Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs which is the focal point for the implementation of the year.
In Papua New Guinea, the PNG Forest Authority is the national focal point of Forests 2011 and has set up a committee that is working on a programme for the year. PNGFA has offices in all 19 provinces and intends to use them fully to ensure maximum implementation of the year’s activities. The committee which is in the process of inviting other stakeholders on board, plans to stage a major launch to kickstart the national programme.