Sustainable forest management and influences on water resources. Coordinating policies on forests and water

Transcription

1 Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment and Forestry General Directorate of Forestry Sustainable forest management and influences on water resources Coordinating policies on forests and water WORKSHOP ON FORESTS AND WATER MAY 2009 in Antalya, Turkey SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT (Updated 27 March 2009)

2 Background In Warsaw Resolution 2: Forests and Water from the 5 th Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE), the ministers responsible for forests in Europe recognise the importance of forests and forest management to water resources. The ministers committed to maintain and enhance the protective functions of forests for water and soil, as well as for mitigating local water-related natural disasters through sustainable forest management, and public and private partnerships. They also stressed the importance of developing, improving and coordinating policies for forest and water resources management. MCPFE Warsaw Resolution 2: Forests and Water: Under the UNECE Water Convention, work has been done on the issue of ecosystem services. Two seminars on Role of ecosystems (on 13 and 14 December 2004 in Geneva) and Environmental services and financing (in Geneva on October 2005) respectively have been conducted by the UNECE countries. In addition, the Recommendations on Payments for Ecosystem Services in Integrated Water Resources Management was adopted by the Parties to the Water Convention at their fourth meeting (Bonn, November 2006). The Recommendations are the product of much work and were developed through a remarkable participatory crosssectoral process. MCPFE was represented in the drafting group for the recommendations. Seminar on the role of ecosystems as water suppliers: Seminar on environmental services and financing for the protection and sustainable use of water-related ecosystems: m Recommendations on Payments for Ecosystem Services in Integrated Water Resources Management: ations_web.pdf Scope and objective: Based on the MCPFE Warsaw Resolution 2: Forests and Water and the work under the UNECE Water Convention on ecosystem services, the workshop will examine the complex interrelations and mutual influences of forests and water, how countries approach these topics, and how this is and could be reflected in forest and water policies in the pan-european and UNECE region and neighbouring states. The objectives of the workshop are: exchange of experiences on forest and water management tools and policies that contribute to realize water related forest ecosystem services explore cross-sectoral work and how the coordination of forest and water policies could be conducted: i. at national level 2

3 ii. at regional level explore payment for ecosystem services schemes (PES) and other measures that broaden and diversify the financial basis for sustainable forest management and help maintaining the protective functions of forests Expected outcome: Enhanced understanding of the interrelations between forest and water, and how this is tackled in forest and water policies within the pan-european region Set of good examples and experiences throughout the region Recommendations for national, regional and cross-sectoral policy coherence in the pan-european and UNECE region Topics to be addressed: The complex interactions between forests and water Experiences and examples from countries on work regarding the interactions between forests and water Coordination of national plans and interrelation between forest and water management Financial basis for water related forest services Work on forest and water policies at the pan-european and UNECE region Participants: Experts and policy makers, scientific community, representing both forest and water sectors in the pan-european and UNECE region and neighboring states. Organisation: The workshop is hosted by the Republic of Turkey (General Directorate of Forestry) and jointly co-organised by Switzerland, Turkey, MCPFE, UNECE Water Convention, and FAO. Venue: The meeting will be held in Antalya, Turkey on May 2009 at: The hotel venue and accomodation in Antalya has been changed. The workshop will be held at Topkapi Palace ( in Antalya. How to register for the meeting: To register for the meeting, please log into the following site: User name: forests_and_water Password: forests_and_water Please register no later than Wednesday 15 April

4 Workshop programme: The meeting will begin at hours on 12 May, and conclude by hours on 13 May A field trip will be arranged on 14 May. Day 1: I. Welcome addresses II. Introduction to the programme, objectives and expected output: Chairpersons presentation III. Setting the scene on Forests and Water: Key note speakers and introductory presentations Main findings from the FRA Thematic Study on Forests and Water, and outcomes of forest and water related conferences during 2008 Thomas Hofer, FAO "Forests and Water - joining forces towards climate change" Paul Reiter, International Water Association How are forest and water issues dealt with at the regional level? To be confirmed European Commission work in relation to water legislation, with a focus on forests and water To be confirmed IV. National experiences and examples regarding work on interactions between forests and water: Invitations for country statements and presentations related work on forests and water Plenary discussion Day 2: V. Policies and instruments: How to improve coordination of policies on forests and water Exploring the financial basis for water related forest services, with a focus on payments for ecosystem services Plenary discussion VI. Conclusions and recommendations Day 3: Field trip The General Directorate of Forestry kindly invites participants to a dinner reception at hours on the 12 May Documentation: The meeting will be conducted in English, Russian and Turkish. Background information and agenda will be provided in due time. All background information will be published at and 4

5 Field Trip: General Directorate of Forestry of Turkey ( will organise a field trip for the participants on 14 May The field trip will be held in the area of Antalya which was burned by a catastrophic forest fire last year. Field trip attendees will have the opportunity to see fire pools and ponds used for extinguishing forest fires. Poster Session: During the meeting participants will be provided suitable places for posters. Accommodation: The hotel venue and accomodation in Antalya has been changed. The workshop will be held at Topkapi Palace ( Antalya. To book your accommodation, as well as transfer to and from the airport, please see the Accomodation form at the official Turkish web site for the workshop: When registering for the meeting at you will find more information also about how to book your accommodation, as well as transfer to and from the airport in Antalya. Financial support: Financial support will be offered to maximum 2 participants of eligible countries. An invitation letter has been sent to MCPFE and UNECE Water Convention focal points from these countries. Visa arrangements: Please consult your travel Agent, the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in your Country with regard to visa arrangements. Provided that they have a valid passport, citizens of some countries do not need a visa or visas can be issued at entry points. It may however be recommended that you obtain your visa before arrival, to avoid waiting time in the airport. An invitation letter will be provided for all participants who will need a visa to enter Turkey. Please contact General Directorate of Forestry, Turkey, att. Mr. Soner Tumuklu, forestandwater@ogm.gov.tr or the MCPFE Liaison Unit Oslo, att. Kjersti B. Fjellstad, kjersti.fjellstad@mcpfe.org 5

6 Arrival details: The nearest major airport is Antalya Airport and is 10 km (6 miles) east of the city center of Antalya. Currency: The Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is determined daily; several banks and exchange offices are available. Traveler's checks can be cashed in most banks. Hotels and many shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that travelers can bring cash. Hotels, most restaurants and shops accept all major credit cards. Weather: The weather in Antalya at this time of the year is about 16 C -25 C. General information on ANTALYA, TURKEY: Because of the archaeological and natural riches of the area, Antalya is also known as the Turkish Riviera. The sun, sea, nature and history combine to form a very popular resort, highlighted by some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean. The 630km shoreline of the province is liberally scattered with ancient cities, harbours, memorial tombs and beaches, secluded coves and lush forests, many of which are easily accessible from the city. 1D9DD78D03148A6E Contact us: If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact us. MCPFE Liaison Unit Oslo Tel: liaison.unit.oslo@mcpfe.org For general questions about the workshop, please contact: Ms. Kjersti B. Fjellstad Policy Adviser, MCPFE Tel: Fax: Mobile: kjersti.fjellstad@mcpfe.org For questions to the host country, with regard to venue, visa arrangements and other practical issues, please contact: Mr. Soner Tumuklu Forest Engineer General Directorate of Forestry, Turkey forestandwater@ogm.gov.tr; sonertumuklu@ogm.gov.tr 6