25 May 2012, UN news - FAO Advisory Committee on Paper and Wood Products (ACPWP) has concluded its 53rd Session on May 24, 2012 in New Delhi, India. The committee welcomes the proposed new FAO strategic objectives in which forestry and forest-based products play a vital role. The forestry and forest-based industries are strategically positioned close to rural communities providing livelihoods and contributing to the eradication of hunger globally. Forests and forest-based industries have a strong track record of producing a variety of products and services in a sustainable manner.  They offer innovative solutions to many of the world’s most pressing problems including climate change mitigation and energy security.

By offering a variety of business opportunities including the emerging bio-economy, in combination with sustainable forest management, forest-based industries contribute to increased wealth, environmental progress, and direct and indirect employment, thus addressing many of the global challenges identified by FAO.

Recognizing the present and future contribution of forestry and forest-based industries to the cross-cutting strategic objectives of FAO, ACPWP requested that FAO continues to provide adequate resources to ensure that forestry and forest-based industries play this important role.

ACPWP made three further recommendations:

·        That FAO adopts a new proposed advisory committee structure reflecting greater geographic balance and scope of work, new name; and that also provides increased guidance to the Programme of Work and Budget of FAO.

·        That FAO develops an analysis on the relative impacts and returns of water use in forestry.

Work with the industry to understand what future skills and educational strategies are needed as a result of the transition to the emerging bio-economy.