With forests in the Asia-Pacific region being among the world’s most complex – and threatened – ecosystems, PEFC International in collaboration with the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) invited stakeholders to a two-day seminar to update on sustainable forest management and forest certification initiatives in the region and to discuss PEFC’s draft revised forest management standard from a local perspective.
Forest certification is a voluntary, market driven approach to promote sustainable forest management. While it is undeniably one of the most effective tools in safeguarding the world's most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems, only eight percent of the world's forests are currently certified.
The Asia Pacific region is home to 14% of the world's forest, including some of the last remaining primary rain forests. Yet, approximately 60% of the world's population live in the Asia Pacific region. Population pressure, coupled with growing economies on the one hand and extreme poverty on the other, creates many challenges and opportunities – environmentally, socially, and economically – for the forests, which in themselves play an important role in many of the countries.
How forest certification in Asia-Pacific, the first day of the Stakeholder Dialogue was dedicated to providing an overview over existing forest certification in the region. The second day of the event discussed the relevance and appropriateness of PEFC’s draft revised international criteria at a regional and national level.
“For forest management to be sustainable, it must reflect the national context and the specific ecological and environmental conditions, as well as social, economic, political, cultural and spiritual dimensions,” explained PEFC Secretary General Ben Gunneberg. “This is why PEFC requires standards to be developed at local level, in compliance with PEFC’s internationally recognized Sustainability Benchmarks. “
“Ongoing engagement between and among national and international stakeholders is a cornerstone of PEFC’s approach to forest certification, and the Malaysian Stakeholder Dialogue is the latest successful example of this approach.”
The Dialogue, which was attended by more than 150 national, regional and international forestry experts, concluded with a field trip showcasing sustainable forest management practices in Malaysia.
The next PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue will take place on 10th November 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with further information becoming available shortly.
6.1 MB)
Annual Review 2010
