Media Room News Releases and Advisories

News Release: Canada Supports Sustainable Forest Management

JOHANNESBURGH, SOUTH AFRICA, August 31, 2002 - Canada's Ambassador for the Environment Gilbert Parent today announced $2.1M in funding for the International Model Forest Network Secretariat (IMFNS), and the establishment of the Regional Model Forests Centre (RMFC) for Latin America and the Caribbean. Representatives from Chile, Argentina and the Dominican Republic, as well as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) accompanied Ambassador Parent in the announcement.

The RMFC for Latin America and the Caribbean will be hosted by the UNDP at its regional headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will contribute $1.5 million over three years to the Center.

"The model forest is a successful Canadian concept for sustainable forest management and an excellent example of sustainable development strategy at work," said Ambassador Parent. "Canada's support for the Regional Model Forests Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean illustrates our long-standing commitment to working with international partners, particularly in the developing world to achieve sustainable development."

Model forests are forest ecosystems that are large enough to bring together the diverse interests of all environmental, social and economic stakeholders in the area of sustainable forest management. They are based on local partnerships, and aim to translate sustainable forest management concepts into practice. The International Model Forest Network is currently made up of 19 model forests in 11 countries, in addition to 11 sites in Canada's national model forest network.

The IMFNS supports the maintenance and growth of the international network and works as an advocate and technical resource agency for network members. It is housed at Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and is supported by IDRC, CIDA, Natural Resources Canada/Canadian Forest Service (NRCan/CFS), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is leading Canada's delegation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) during the High-Level Session. He is being supported by Environment Minister David Anderson, International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan, who is responsible for CIDA, and Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie) Denis Paradis. At WSSD, Canada is focusing on four key areas: health and environment; partnerships; African development; and international sustainable development governance.

-30-

Related document:

• International Model Forests Network (IMFN) [backgrounder, 2002-08-31]

For further information, media representatives may contact: