United Nations Forum on Forests, 2012

Committee Blogs
Topic 1

Protecting the Forests of Central Africa

The UNFF seeks to fortify intergovernmental commitment to the “management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.” The Forum is particularly interested in sustainability and conservation in terms of their impact on the livelihood of people and their potential to aid economic development. With the Congo River Basin being the world’s second largest tropical rainforest and home to over 100 million people, forests of Central Africa are of international concern.

Currently, the bushmeat crisis and increased industrial activity in the region has not only become a threat to wildlife, but also to the food security and livelihood of the indigenous people. Therefore, it is of international interest to conserve the resources and biodiversity of the region. Working in negotiation with regional groups, such as the Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) to map the region would help nations move towards sustainable development and exploitation of local resources, as was discussed in UNFF 9 documents (the latest session of the committee. This topic will be interesting for delegates in that it will give them an in depth look at the dynamic role forests play, and inform how their importance goes beyond a desire to preserve the environment. 

Topic 2

Public vs. Private Forest Ownership and Management

It is within the purview of the UNFF mandate to confront issues regarding forest ownership and to examine the most effective management strategies. Historically, the UNFF has hosted ‘Multi-stakeholder dialogues’ to encourage contributions from major groups involved in management and ownership of forestlands. With environmental sustainability such a pressing concern, it is vital that the UNFF assist in organizing forest management and ownership—both public and private—to find which type of control is most conducive to sustainable development. The question is not strictly only which of these two forms of forest ownership is preferable; arguments can be made supporting both sides, depending heavily upon how a state structures ownership and maintenance. Rather, under this topic area, delegates to the UNFF will have an opportunity to consider the needs and differing degrees of capacity among states at various stages of development and will advise as to how both the UN and the larger international community can promote ownership arrangements that support best practices in sustainable forest management. This topic is both relevant and interesting to delegates because efforts of sustainable exploitation of forest resources are futile unless ownership and management is organized effectively.

Resources
Downloads: 

 

Director, Amanda Laura

University of Pennsylvania

 

Assistant Director, Brody Duncan

McGill University
 

National High School Model United Nations | New York City, NY

2012 Committees