Editorial note

The Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests, adopted at UNCED and which applies to all forests, aims (i) to relate the subject of forests to the entire range of environmental and developmental issues (Preambular paragraph (a)) and (ii) to have forestry issues examined in a ‘balanced manner within the overall context of both the environment and development’ (Preambular paragraph (c)). The Principles call for efforts to be undertaken towards ‘greening’ theworld (Principle 8(a)) and towards maintaining and increasing forest cover and productivity in ecologically and economically sound ways (Principle 8(b)).

The Principles affirm that States have the sovereign and inalienable right to utilise, manage and develop their forests in accordance with their development needs and in a manner consistent with ‘sustainable development’ (Principle 2(a)). They state that ‘sustainable’ economic, trade and development policies and international aid should be integrated with forest conservation (Principles 3(c), 6(b), 9 and 13(d)). Governments should promote and provide opportunities for the participation of interested parties in the development, implementation and planning of national forest policies (Principle 2(d)). States should, in addition, ‘duly support’ the culture and rights of indigenous peoples and forest dwellers (Principle 5(a)).

The Principles encourage the promotion of a ‘supportive international economic climate conducive to sustained and environmentally sound development of forests in all countries’ (Principle 7(a)). The costs of forest conservation and ‘sustainable development’ should be shared equitably by the international community (Principle 1(b)).