The workshop on �Forests and Forest Ecosystems: Promoting Synergy in the Implementation of the Three Rio Conventions� was held from 5-7 April 2004, in the complex of Santa Maria in Gradi, Viterbo, Italy. The workshop was organized by the Secretariats of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa (CCD) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in cooperation with the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The goal of the workshop, which included approximately 150 participants, was to encourage the implementation of specific actions at the local level on forests and forest ecosystems and their use and conservation and further develop synergistic processes in this sector in order to contribute to a more effective implementation of the Rio conventions.

On Monday, participants heard presentations by the Rio conventions� secretariats, and considered the presentations and country case studies on Theme I, �Potential for synergies through forest landscape management and soil conservation,� and on Theme II, �Ecosystem services and poverty reduction.� On Tuesday, participants convened in eight working groups on synergy at the local level. On the last day, delegates listened to the presentation of and then discussed the outcomes of the working groups, exchanged views on synergy among Rio conventions focal point representatives, discussed financing for synergy and adopted the workshop�s report.