At its first meeting on 22-23 February in Geneva, Switzerland, the working group discussed how to develop options for decision by ministers on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe. Furthermore, a draft of a non-paper on preparing options for decision by ministers on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe was deliberated. This document was elaborated by the Co-Chairs Ingwald Gschwandtl, Austria and Knut Øistad, Norway.
Based on the discussions the Co-Chairs will produce a revised text for the Introduction section. It will explain how the tasks and expected outcome of the working group fit into the overall preparations for the 6th Ministerial Conference of FOREST EUROPE. This important event will take place in June 2011 in Norway. On the basis of the discussion at the meeting in Geneva and written inputs received from the participants, a revised draft of the non-paper will be elaborated by the Co-Chairs.
The next working group meeting is scheduled for 1-2 July 2010. The Co-Chairs will regularly report to the FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meetings on progress made in the working group. The final outcome of the ongoing work is expected to be delivered to the FOREST EUROPE Expert Level Meeting scheduled for December 2010.
Almost 50 participants from signatory countries and observer organisations attended the meeting, which was held at the UN Nations Office at Geneva, Switzerland.
