9TH session of the United Nations Forest on Forum is underway

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, CATHERINE NAMUGALA IS IN NEW YORK FOR THE 9TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS FOREST FORUM ON FORESTS (UNFF) TAKING PLACE AT THE WORLD BODY'S HEADQUARTERS.

THE FORUM OPENED ON 24 JANUARY AND ENDS ON 4 FEBRUARY.

THE MINISTER WAS MET ON ARRIVAL AT THE JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES AT THE ZAMBIAN MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. MUYAMBO SIPANGULE.

AMONG THE FORUM'S HIGHLIGHTS, WILL BE ON 2 FEBRUARY WHEN COUNTRIES WILL MARK THE LAUNCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS AT THE HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL SEGMENT TO BROADEN PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLE THAT HEALTHY FORESTS PLAY VIRTUALLY ELSEWHERE.

DURING THE FORUM'S SESSION, FAO WILL LAUNCH ITS "STATE OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS", A REPORT PUBLISHED EVERY TWO YEARS HIGHLIGHTING THE MOST RECENT DATA, ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION (DPI).

THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DECLARED 2011 THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ON SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL TYPES OF FORESTS.

ACCORDING TO THE DPI, SHOWCASING SUCCESS STORIES ON THE CENTRAL ROLE OF PEOPLE IN TACKLING THE CHALLENGES FACING MANY OF THE WORLD'S FORESTS, 2011 PROVIDES A PLATFORM TO BRING PEOPLE'S VOICES TOGETHER AND GALVANISE ACTION FOR FORESTS AROUND THE WORLD.

AND PROVIDING A ZAMBIAN PERSPECTIVE, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER AT THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, MR. ISAAC KANGUYA, WHO IS ACCOMPANYING THE MINISTER, SAID THE FORUM IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE DECISIONS THAT WILL BE MADE WILL ALSO AFFECT THE COUNTRY.

MR. KANGUYA SAID ZAMBIA WAS LOSING FOREST COVER AT A FAST RATE DUE TO THE HIGH DEMAND FOR CHARCOAL AND LAND CHANGE USE FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL USES.

THE FORUM WHICH IS HELD EVERY TWO YEARS CONSISTS OF ALL THE 192 MEMBER STATES OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

THE TWO-WEEK SESSION WILL FOCUS ON THE THEME "FORESTS FOR PEOPLE".

THIS IS ACCORDING TO A NEWS STATEMENT AVAILED TO RADIO PHOENIX BY THE FIRST SECRETARY FOR PRESS AND CHARGE D’AFFAIRES MOSES WALUBITA.

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