. Forest biological diversity: status and trends and identification of options for conservation and sustainable use

Forest biological diversity: status and trends and identification of options for conservation and sustainable use

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Noting the desire expressed to enhance progress made in the implementation of the work programme for forest biological diversity,

Stressing that in implementing the work programme, due consideration should be given to all types of forest, including planted forests, and to the restoration of forest ecosystems,

Recalling the need to address the underlying causes of deforestation and forest degradation, such as poverty,

Noting the need to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in future forest activities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,

Recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its fifth meeting:

1. Urges the Parties, Governments and organizations to advance the implementation of the work programme for forest biological diversity;

2. Considers expanding the focus of the work programme from research to practical actions in order to address urgently the conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity, applying the ecosystem approach and taking into consideration the outcome of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests;

3. Establishes an ad hoc technical expert group on forest biological diversity, taking into account the outcome of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests. Its mandate, as proposed in recommendation V/14, should last until the seventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

4. Requests Parties, countries, international organizations and other relevant bodies to provide relevant information on the implementation of the work programme through, inter alia, case-studies, entries in national reports and other means, as appropriate;

5. Requests the Executive Secretary to invite the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other forest-related bodies, institutions and processes to contribute to the assessment of status and trends, including gaps and priority actions needed to address threats to forest biological diversity;

6. Requests the Executive Secretary to liaise with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change with regard to, inter alia, the Special Report on Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and to seek ways and means to integrate consideration of forest biological diversity in future activities of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change addressing forests and carbon sequestration.