Plenary Session
Day 2 (31st of August 2004)
Report back on Forest Fire and Forest Rehabilitation (WGs)

Chairman: Dr. Dicky Simorangkir (Tropendos)
Rapporteur: Mr. Kenn Mondiai (PNG Ecoforestry Forum)

Presenters:

1. Mr. Kuldip Poudel [WG1] : Forest Fire and Forest Rehabilitation
2. Dr. Harry Santoso [WG2] : Rehabilitation & Reforestation of Degraded Forests

The keys issues highlighted from both WG presentations are all brought together:

Forest fire, forest degradation and reforestation work in the region should be looked at in a holistic manner and any actions plans developed should again be done in a holistic approach by all parties under AFP and implemented collaboratively at the respective levels.

Define and classify the different terminologies and get them harmonized for all parties in the AFP to work with, use existing and commonly accepted terms from other initiatives in the region or globally.

Funding is critical, however in some sectors it is agreed that there already exists internal mechanisms (Indonesia) and that needs to be explored in detail to used, as they are sustainable and readily available. Apart from that other initiative such as ITTO, Kyoto protocol the CDM, Swap for the Nature exists so AFP needs to collate that information and make available to the members and partners.

In some cases, funding for reforestation and forest degradation work is available but, there is no land to undertake the work on so that needs to be addressed again at the country levels by the specific project partners under the AFP with their respective Governments and local people.

In terms of collaborative action to pursue the action plans, there is real need for all parties to accept each other and work together to achieve common goals and common results from different interests. The private sector involvement is crucial, so incentives and disincentives of such collaborative actions needs to be spelled out clearly and a true and meaningful partnership and that is based on trust and honesty developed between Government, private sector, NGOs and the local communities.

There are already well documented research reports, data and statistics available. So the information sharing unit of AFP needs to compile and disseminate to all parties under AFP. If any further research to be conducted it should be based on 鄭ction Research・in light to the current situation confronting us in the region.

The various actions that AFP partners and members want to take will have to be addressed more specifically at the local and regional and sub regional levels in order to be more effective and to address the real issues at the ground level.

At the various levels, many actors/stakeholders will be present, their involvement, roles and what actions they take needs to be clearly identified so that other parties are well aware to reduced chances of duplication or confusion.

Investment atmosphere for the private sector involvement is important. Governments in the region to recognize the need for this partnership and allow for certain concessions to the private sector to allow to for long term security over their investment in order for the actions plan to materialize and bear fruits.

General Summary

The four core members (Governments of Indonesia and Japan, TNC and CIFOR) of AFP and other parties that want to join in on the issues of forest fire, forest degradation, rehabilitation and reforestation.

Key points to consider:

• approach the issues in a holistic manner
• develop action plans based on scientific facts and data
• implement the action plans in a collaborative manner at respective levels
• the partnership should be based on trust, honesty and respect for one another
• the actions should be prioritized in order of importance and urgency
• and the actions should be practical, realistic, clear and well focused

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