Forests and Wildfires in Africa and the Near East - 



It was recognized that many countries in the regions lack adequate capacity and policy measures to 

 manage fire effectively, including monitoring, early warning, preparedness, prevention, and 

 restoration. The Commissions recommended that (i) local communities be trained and engaged in fire 

 management; (ii) regional cooperation should be promoted, including the development of trans- 

 boundary strategies; (iii) inter-sectoral approaches should be adopted for integrated fire management at 

 local and national levels. 



Forests and Energ y 



The Commissions recommended that FAO assist member countries in their efforts to enhance national 

 and regional capacities for the development, implementation and monitoring of wood energy systems, 

 including the establishment of information systems. The Commissions urged member countries to 

 evaluate with care the costs and benefits of investing in bio-energy, as such investments may compete 

 with food production and increase deforestation. 



Side events 



Taking advantage of the Afiican Forestry and Wildlife Commission, three side events were 

 organized by FAO and partners, on the following themes: 



1) Community of Practice on Forests and Climate Change in Afi-ica, organized by WWF - West 

 Africa Regional Programme Office and FAO 



2) National Forest programmes and the National Forestry Programme Facility partnerships in 

 Afiica, organized by FAO 



3) Post- War Forest Sector Development in Liberia, organized by FAO and the Forestry 

 Development Authority of Liberia 



Conclusion 



For the more than 130 country delegates and representatives from national and intemational institutions, the 

 Commissions were a great success. 



They sensitized all participants to the need to look critically at national and local forestry practices in the 

 context of mitigation and adaptation to constant changes brought up by climatic extremes and variations that 

 are often hard to predict. The role and importance of wildlife in forest management and poverty alleviation 

 were also brought up convincingly, especially for the situation of Africa. 



For the full report, visit - http://www.fao.org/forestry/40495/en/ 



Nature & Faune Vol. 23, Issue 1 ,. 64 



