New web site for INC-Forests in Europe
This website provides information on the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee (INC) for a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe, upcoming and previous Committee sessions, access to relevant documents, information on the Bureau and its meetings, as well as secretariat contact details.
A platform for the negotiations
The website will be an evolving platform to be used by the members of the Committee during sessions as well as for inter-sessional work. To anyone interested in these negotiations the new website offers easy access to information on the work for a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe.
The mandate
Through the Oslo Ministerial Mandate for Negotiating a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe, ministers responsible for forests decided to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop a holistic legally binding framework agreement.
In fulfilling its mandate, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee builds on existing FOREST EUROPE Resolutions and Declarations and relevant international commitments relating to forests.
The working modalities of the Committee are specified in the Rules of Procedure.
The committee
The First Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe (INC-Forests1) was held at the United Nations Office at Vienna, Austria, on 27 February – 2 March 2012. At this first session the Committee provided guidance for developing the first draft negotiating text regarding its basic structure, main components and content.
At INC-Forests1, the Committee decided that the Second Session will be held on 3 – 7 September 2012 in Bonn, Germany.
Bureau Mandate
The Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was established by the Oslo Mandate and consists of the Chair of the Committee and representatives of the following countries: Austria, Czech Republic, France, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Turkey, and Ukraine, and Spain as permanent observer.
Chair
In paragraph 21 of the Oslo Mandate, the ministers responsible for forests in Europe nominated Mr. Jan Heino (Finland) for the chairmanship of the Committee
Bureau Members
The following Bureau members were nominated in accordance with the Oslo Mandate:
Mr. Ingwald Gschwandtl of Austria
Ms. Katerina Ventrubova of the Czech Republic
Mr. Jacques Andrieu of France
Mr. Arne Ivar Sletnes of Norway
Mr. Piotr Jakubowicz-Paschalis of Poland
Ms. Alexandra Orekhovich of the Russian Federation
Mr. Ismail Belen of Turkey
Ms. Lyubov Polyakova of Ukraine
Mr. Jose Maria Solano of Spain, as permanent observer
Further INC-Forests information
https://www.forestnegotiations.org/
General Inquiries, Liaison and Communications: INC-Forests@foresteurope.org
Sessions and Documents: INC-Forests@fao.org
Scientific and Policy Advice: INC-Forests@efi.int
Picture 1: Isabel Galiana
Picture 2: Roni Ikonen