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Sixth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-6) 13-24 February 2006 | UN Headquarters, New York Highlights from Thursday, 23 February 2006 On Thursday, 23 February, the sixth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-6) continued with negotiations on the international arrangement on forests (IAF). In the morning, Working Group I (WGI) discussed the preamble, general mandate, voluntary instrument and legal framework. WGII discussed means of implementation and working modalities. In the afternoon, delegates convened in an informal plenary session to discuss the preamble and goals/strategic objectives. In the evening, delegates convened in contact groups on legal framework, working modalities and reporting and strengthening political commitment.

Daily web coverage: 13 February - 14 February - 15 February - 16 February - 17 February 20 February - 21 February - 22 February - 23 February - 24 February

Canada stated that if the Forum cannot agree to achieve the global goals, we will have failed the world's forests Co-Chair Franz Perrez (Switzerland) Brazil suggested compromise text replacing "deforestation" with "loss of forest cover"

Argentina insisted on retaining reference to environmental services Pekka Patosaari, Head of UNFF Secretariat and Chair Bahemuka

Austria said that it was more important to achieve a common understanding than to debate whether to use global "goals" or "strategic objectives" China supported deleting reference to environmental services in the preamble Working Group II participants consider the on-screen text regarding modalities

The EU huddled in a corner after plenary was adjourned

up to top Daily web coverage: 13 February - 14 February - 15 February - 16 February - 17 February 20 February - 21 February - 22 February - 23 February - 24 February

Relevant links: Official website of the United Nations Forum on Forests UNFF 6 website Official documents ENB coverage of the UNFF and other forest processes: UN Conference for the Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, 4th Part 16-27 January, 2006 Europe and North Asia Forest Law Enforcement and Governance 22-25 November, 2005 Scoping for a Future Agreement on Forests 16-18 November, 2005 ITCC-39 7-12 November, 2005 UN Conference for the Negotiation of a Successor Agreement to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994, 3rd Part, 27 June-1 July, 2005 UNFF-5 16-27 May, 2005 FAO Committee on Forestry: 14-19 March 2005

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