Strengthening forest governance based on

evidence, knowledge and inclusiveness

Nalin Kishor, Tuukka Castrén, Ewald Rametsteiner

COFO/WFW, Rome, September 25, 2012

STRUCTUREInterest in measuring governanceKey issues in interventionsTwo topics

FrameworksICTs

Conclusion and themes for discussions

GROWING INTEREST IN MEASURING

FOREST GOVERNANCE To meet the requirements of policy makers for better

information to enhance SFM Design of policy reforms and governance

investments More specifically, to feed into:

REDD+ Forest legality schemes (FLEGT/VPA, Lacey, other

consumer country legislation) UNFF, etc. Private investors decisions (investments, corporate

responsibility) Making civil-society participation more effective Wider governance and anti-corruption work

THREE KEY ISSUES FOR GOVERNANCE INTERVENTIONS

Evidence: Systematic gathering of information on forest governance

within a well-defined and comprehensive framework Knowledge:

Relying on a combination of hard-facts and stakeholder /expert perceptions (gathered through multistakeholder consultations)

Inclusiveness: With the sponsorship of government, but with results that

can be used by many to develop consensus for reform and momentum for change.

AN APPROACH

FAO-PROFOR Framework for Assessing and monitoring forest governanceExpert group that produced the

framework, launched in June 2011.

Common framework is organized as 3 pillars of governance

Six principles of good governance underpin the framework

FAO-PROFOR FOREST GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

KNOWLEDGE: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FAO: Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia and Peru World Bank: Russia, Burkina Faso and

Uganda UN-REDD: Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria and

Vietnam WRI: Brazil, Cameroon and Indonesia.

INCLUSIVENESS Information should be known to all, easily

available and in an easy-to-understand format. Information should be collected on a regular

basis and constantly updated and refined. Role of Information Communications

Technology (ICT) highlighted. Support to development of national

information systems to ensure that information is accessible, up-to-date and widely used.

ICTS CAN PROMOTE GOOD, TRANSPARENT AND EQUITABLE GOVERNANCE

Pillar of Forest Governance Selected mobile and other ICT applications

Transparency, Accountability and Public Participation

e-government and open government applications Advocacy and awareness campaigns through text messagingInternet social networking sites, community radio “Crowd sourcing” to increase public participation Collaborative and participatory mapping

Quality of Forest Administration

Forest assessment with CLASlite and Airborne LiDAR Real-time fire alertsWildlife tracking and conflict management Online training

Coherence of Forest Legislation and Rule of Law

Surveillance and deterrence- computerized check posts & GPS Technologies for tracking timber - Chain of Custody systems Legal information mgmt systems: Global Legal Information Network Mobile and online crime reporting services

Economic Efficiency, Equity and Incentives

Online timber sales, licenses and auctions LogisticsMobile phone/PDAs for carbon estimation and receipt of payments

z

FAO Forestry

Ensuring information is accessible, up-to-date and widely used: FAO Open Foris

Design Tool for Inventory and

Monitoring (DTIM)

Open ForisSpecies Editor

Offline/online species list maintenance

Open Foris CalcForest modeling and

estimation

Open Foris PortalManaged content & dynamic maps, charts, stats, reports

CONCLUSIONS

High-level political interest to strengthen forest governance as a means to step up progress towards SFM and addressing REDD

More experience is available as countries have started to take action to improve evidence and knowledge base on forest governance;

Involvement of stakeholders and ICTs can enhance efficiency and effectiveness of information collection and use.