This Action Plan describes how the forest sector in the UNECE region could lead the way towards the emerging green economy at the global level. In particular, the Action Plan: a) Describes how the UNECE region’s forest sector could contribute to the development of a green economy; b) Promotes best practices; c) Promotes policies for the forest sector which are effective, efficient in the use of resources and equitable in their treatment of all actors; and d) communicates the potential of the UNECE region’s forest sector to policymakers, the general public and decision makers in other sectors.

The UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry and the FAO European Forestry Commission invite their member governments to consider how they can contribute to the implementation of the Action Plan. Some countries could choose to develop voluntary national action plans or green economy measures for their forest sector based on the Action Plan. UNECE/FAO could assist those countries in developing such plans or measures by facilitating policy dialogues and capacity building activities.

It is also suggested that UNECE/FAO draws the attention of other possible actors, in particular the private sector to the Action Plan, and invites them, without any obligation, to make use of the Action Plan, especially by implementing actions for which they have been identified as a possible actor.

UNECE/FAO will also prioritize and incorporate relevant actions in their area of competence and identified by the Action Plan into their own annual lists of activities, as approporiate. It is also proposed that UNECE/FAO monitor progress of the forest sector towards a green economy and prepares, as a part of its Integrated Programme of Work, a report on the Forest Sector in a Green Economy in the ECE region using existing information.

Capacity-building work currently being undertaken by the joint UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section will continue to support the priorities of the Action Plan. Further assistance could be provided to countries that are developing voluntary national action plans or green economy measures for their forest sectors.

The Action Plan proposes a vision, strategies and objectives for the forest sector in the UNECE region, and possible actions to achieve these. These could be implemented by international organisations, governments of member States, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders. For each action, possible actors were identified by the stakeholder meetings. The Action Plan is meant to inspire action and provide the basis for plans and activities to focus on the contribution of forests in a green economy. It provides suggestions and is not a work programme for any of the bodies mentioned.

UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry, FAO European Forestry Commission and numerous governmental and non-governmental stakeholders