National forum to strengthen policies and opportunities for forest investment in the forest sector of Ecuador

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Ecuador, through the National Forest Directorate (DNF), will hold a “National Forum to Strengthen Policies and Opportunities for Forest Investment in the Forest Sector of Ecuador“ on 1-3 September 2009.

Background

In 2006, Ecuador prepared the document “Diagnosis and baseline for the National Forest Financing Strategy”, which assessed the current status and outlook of the national forest financing system. The report concluded that Ecuador lacks an adequate forest financing strategy for sustainable forest management because the local resources available cannot be channeled into the management of natural and planted forests due to a lack of operational mechanisms (for example, a forest bank facility or fund). 

On the other hand, other countries in the region have made progress in the development and piloting of innovative mechanisms, which are not commonly known in Ecuador.

Forum objectives

The objective of this Forum is to analyze existing opportunities in the forest sector of Ecuador to attract increased tropical forest investment and at the same time propose an Action Plan to allow interested stakeholders to implement an investment program that will enable the Ecuadorian forest sector to better realize its potential to generate income and employment by:

•      building synergies between relevant stakeholders in order to improve forest sector financing in Ecuador;

•      raising awareness on the socioeconomic values of forests, their financing and their significance in the formulation of a financial strategy within the national forestry agenda;

•      identifying guidelines towards a National Forest Financing Strategy with 2 or 3 prioritized financial mechanisms for short-term implementation.

Participants

The Forum is geared to key representatives of the forest and financial sectors of Ecuador.

Expected outcomes and follow-up

To contribute to the creation of a favorable environment for forest financing in Ecuador through the development and implementation of a National Forest Financing Strategy and a corresponding Action Plan prioritizing financial instruments and mechanisms to be established in the short and medium terms.