Update from the UNFF

By Darren Weeks

As I mentioned on Monday's broadcast, the sixth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests is currently underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Delegates have been attempting to hammer out details of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF). In other words, they're trying to build the foundation that will dictate to the world what we can and cannot do with our forests.

Thankfully, progress has been slow, as delegates have been fighting over the wording of the document. The following excerpt from the International Institute for Sustainable Development illustrates the poor progress:

Delegates remain divided on key issues within both working groups, with gains few and hard-won. As precious negotiating time slipped by, Co-Chairs huddled with major players to urge flexibility and consensus, but little of either was forthcoming. Yet most were
either convinced or "cautiously hopeful" that a resolution would be finalized by Friday. Some delegates were skeptical, however, that such an agreement would deliver substantive content. On a positive note, one delegate argued that whatever the outcome, there is a consensus that the regional approach holds promise, and that if properly empowered, the UNFF could play a role in linking this to the IAF.

Let's hope the delegates remain divided. In-fighting on the other side is always a good thing. Any slowing of the progress in curtailing individual liberty and land-ownership is welcomed. Sustainable Development is the death of both liberty and property rights.

For more details about the United Nations Forum on Forests, visit the IISD's event reporting page.