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World Forestry Congresses

The First World Forestry Congress was held in Rome in 1926, the Second Congress took place in Budapest in 1936, and the Third was planned with the Government of Finland for Helsinki in 1940. With the advent of war, however, it became necessary to postpone the Third Congress. 

At the end of the Second World War forestry studies were renewed, and once again the Finnish Government reiterated its offer to host a meeting of the world’s forestry experts. At its meeting in Geneva in 1947 the Annual Conference of the FAO accepted Finland’s proposal that Helsinki be venue of the Third World Forestry Congress. Professor Saari was the Chairman of the Congress Organizing Committee, and Mr. H. Leppo was its Secretary-General.

One significant resolution adopted at this Congress was to recommend the preparation by the FAO of a forestry dictionary in the major languages of the world. Such a dictionary was to also give precise definitions of the terms most commonly used in forestry and the more important phrases of the forester's vocabulary.

The main topics covered by the Third Congress were as follows:

I. Silvics and silviculture

II. Forest surveys (the essential role of the techniques of sampling and forest inventories in the composite picture of forestry and wood technology.)

III. Forest economics, including forest policy

IV. Forest utilization

Forest industries

The Fourth World Forestry Congress was held at Dehra Dun, India, from 11 to 22 December 1954

The aim of this Congress was to determine “the role and place of forested areas in the general land economy and economic development of a country,” in the light of progress made to that date in knowledge of forest resources, silviculture and management, logging and utilization.

The main topics analyzed were:

I. Current situation regarding forest protection and management worldwide

II. Protective functions of the forest

III. Productive functions of the forest

IV. Forest products utilization

V. Tropical forestry

The Fifth World Forestry Congress was held in Seattle, USA in 1960.

The central theme of this Congress was “Multiple Use of Forest and Associated Lands”. Multiple use means the management of the forest in a manner that, while conserving the basic land resource, will yield a high level of production in the five major uses - wood, water, forage, recreation, and wildlife - for the benefit of the greatest number of people in the long run. 

The main topics of discussion were the following:

I. Forest protection

II. Education

III. Forest and range watersheds

IV. Forest operations and logging

V. Genetics and tree improvement

VI. Forest economics and policy

VII. Forest products

VIII. Forest recreation and wildlife

IX. Tropical forestry

The Congress concluded that the multiple-use concept presented new challenges and new opportunities to foresters everywhere, with great prospects for additional services to the welfare of mankind, declared that it was not, however, a panacea to solve all forest management problems, as often one use must be dominant and other proposed uses must not then be detrimental to the major one. In addition, it warned that there can be disadvantages to multiple use when it is inefficiently applied, although multiple use must be recognized as an important goal of forest policies.

The Congress was attended by 1,970 members, representing 65 countries.

The Sixth World Forestry Congress was held in Madrid, Spain in June 1966.
The central theme of the Congress was “The Role of Forestry in the Changing World Economy”, and used as a reference an FAO study entitled Wood: World trends and prospects. Congress members focused on how to meet the growing demand for wood as a raw material, the volume of wood available, and its utilization. The main topics discussed at the congress were: I. World trends in wood resources and their requirements II. Planning the use of forest potentials III. Institutional framework for forest development IV. Financing of forestry and forest industries development This Congress called on those governments receiving support from external sources to make efforts to create the necessary conditions to be able to take the best possible advantage of such technical assistance, while hoping that such assistance would continue and expand. A total of 2,700 members attended the Congress, representing 93 countries.

The Seventh World Forestry Congress was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 4 to 18 October, 1972.

The topic chosen was: “Forests and Socioeconomic Development”

This Congress examined various of the challenges of the time, including the need to speed social and economic progress while preserving or improving the environment, recognizing the need to raise population living standards.

It should be noted that this Congress took place in the same year as the holding of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, and recognized that this would influence world forestry development in future years, as most forestry policies in force were not in line with recent knowledge, concerns and economic, social and environmental aspirations noted by that Conference. The Congress considered that regardless of the political objectives, forms of economic organization and systems of forest land tenure, governments were responsible for planning the continuous flow of productive, protective and social goods and services, ensuring that physical output and environmental benefits are made available for the overall welfare of their peoples. 

The core of the Congress centered on technical discussions on the wide range of professional interests among participants. Topics dealt with were as follows:

I. Silviculturists

II. Professors, teachers and students

III. Conservationists and recreationists

IV. Loggers

V. Researchers

VI. Economists, administrators and planners

VII. Industrialists

The Congress welcomed participants from over 80 countries, thanks, in part to the awarding of scholarships by various international technical aid agencies, as well as by the host country.

The directors of the forestry entities from neighboring countries to which study visits were made (Brazil, Chile and Uruguay) were named Congress co-presidents.

The Eighth World Forestry Congress was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 16 to 28 October, 1978

The theme of the congress was “Forests for People”, and discussions focused on ways forestry activity might best serve people, individually and collectively.

The main topics analyzed at this Congress dealt with:

I. Reaffirmation of the responsibility of governments and their forestry authorities for ensuring that each hectare of forested land is managed in the best interest of all people, to prevent the disappearance of forests, especially in tropical areas.

II. Confirmation that because of the close and direct link between quality and quantity of water on the one hand and the extent and state of the forest resource on the other, every effort should be made in order to prevent water becoming so scarce as to affect biological production adversely.

III. Recognition of the gravity of world food shortages, as a result of which an enlarged concept of multiple-use forestry is required, one which encompasses the more direct production of food from forests and forest trees, as well as from wild fauna.

IV. Reaffirmation that world water basin management problems require greater attention, as the means to resolve them are within reach of all.

V. Recognition of the fact that the energy crisis and rising oil prices have had a further and potentially far - reaching implication for forestry – so that there is the possibility for forests to become an important source of energy.

Some 2,000 people attended the Congress, representing 170 countries and 17 international agencies.

Mexico City, Mexico from 1 to 10 July, 1985.

The theme of this Congress was “Forest Resources in the Integral Development of Society”. During the 20 sessions of the three technical commissions into which the Congress was divided, 20 agenda items were discussed, with the presentation of 22 basic documents and 160 special documents. The long list of subjects studied included: I. The increasing destruction of tropical forests II. Fuelwood shortages in arid and semi-arid zones III. The threat posed by degraded mountain areas IV. Air pollution of forests and deterioration of the environment in highly industrialized countries V. Forest fires VI. New advances in the fields of remote sensing, forest genetics, wood as a source of energy, prevention and control of forest fires, forest hydrology and industrial uses of timber, etc. Besides the sessions of the Congress itself, a series of satellite meetings was held, under the following headings:

i) Expert Consultation on the Role of Forestry in Combating Desertification ii) International Forum of Forestry Youth iii) Meeting on Prospects for International Financing for Forestry Programs iv) First International Symposium on Forest Fauna v) XIIIth session of the FAO Advisory Committee on Forestry Education vi) Latin American Round Table on Forest Genetic Resources vii) Meeting of the International Society of Tropical Foresters The Congress was attended by 2,210 participants from 105 countries, including representatives of many national and international organizations, institutions and associations formed by professional foresters, scientists, educators, students, politicians, industrialists, workers, leaders and bankers, as well as private individuals.

The Tenth World Forestry Congress was held in Paris, France from 17 to 26 September, 1991.

The theme of this Congress was “Forests, a Heritage for the Future”.

Participants discussed more than 100 specific topics, covering all aspects of forest conservation, management and use, including:

I. The forest, a protective heritage;
II. Conservation and protection of the forest heritage III. Trees and forests in rural and urban land management IV. Management of the forest heritage an economic resource V. Policy and institutions
Over 2,500 people from more than 136 countries attended this Congress. The Paris Declaration called upon decision-makers to: commit themselves to the "Greening of the World" through afforestation, reforestation and sustainable management of the multiple functions of trees and forests; to assess developments in the forest heritage at a national and international level, drawing on the global Forest Resources Assessment in 1990; limit all emissions of pollutants that damage forests; contain emissions of greenhouse gases, including those produced by power generation; adapt economic and financial mechanisms to the long-term approach required for forest management; increase national and international financial provisions, particularly in favor of developing countries; work toward the harmonious development of international trade in forest products through the prohibition of any unilateral restriction and promote the utilization of forest products; develop cooperative initiatives at the political level such as the fight against desertification, the protection of forests, the management of major watersheds, etc.; strengthen and coordinate research and field trials, training and the exchange of information, as well as cooperation in all disciplines that contribute to sustainable management of forest ecosystems; strengthen the activities of and coordination among the relevant international organizations; integrate its conclusions and recommendations into the planning process of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and in the context of the negotiations on biodiversity and climate change being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations; strengthen international cooperation, particularly in the context of the Tropical Forestry Action Program (TFAP), of a Mediterranean FAP and of other future programs; raise the awareness of the public and disseminate information on forest issues; and invite FAO to advise the appropriate intergovernmental bodies and the Eleventh World Forest Congress of such issues.

Antalya, Turkey from 13 to 22 October, 1997

The general theme selected for the Congress was: “Forestry for Sustainable Development: Towards the Twenty-first century”.

The Technical Program of the Congress comprised eight major technical discussion areas: I. Forests and tree resources; II. Forests, biological diversity and the maintenance of the natural heritage; III. Protective and environmental functions of forests; IV. Productive functions of forests; V. The economic contribution of forestry to sustainable development; VI. Social dimensions of forestry's contribution to sustainable development; VII. Policies, institutions and means for sustainable forestry development; and VIII. Eco-regional review. The Congress program presented some 38 themes for discussion, each supported by a special paper and, comprehensively, some 1200 voluntary papers. Eight plenary sessions were held, as well as 43 technical sessions. In addition to these sessions, three pre-Congress satellite meetings, an informal ministerial meeting and approximately 30 side meetings and other special events took place.

More than 4,400 participants from 145 countries attended the Congress, representing the scientific community, governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector. During the nine-day conference delegates attended eight plenary sessions and 43 technical sessions.

The Antalya Declaration expressed concern over the discrepancy between the significant progress in concepts and tools, national programs, world and regional treaties and the various associations between governments and international organizations on the one hand, and the continued alarming rate of forest loss and degradation on the other, calling for harmonization of the needs of the planet and its inhabitants with the potential for forestry, to make a vital contribution in this regard by means of appropriate policy strategies at institutional and government level in the forestry sector and as a contribution to the reaching of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and other objectives agreed at international level.

The Congress requested FAO to submit a progress report on the strategies outlined at the next Congress.

The Twelfth World Forestry Congress was held in Quebec, Canada from 21 to 28 September 2003.

The central theme of this Congress was “Forests, Source of Life”.

The Congress developed three program areas:

I. Forests for people,

II. Forests for the planet

III. People and forests in harmony

A total of 1,036 voluntary papers were submitted, 32 position papers were commissioned, and 456 poster presentations were received from all around the world. The technical program was structured around 10 plenary sessions, 38 thematic sessions, various poster presentation sessions, and 115 side events. As an innovation, ten eco-regional meetings followed by round tables and six open discussions were held.

A total of over 4,000 participants from 137 countries attended the Congress.

The Final Declaration issued a call to develop and disseminate methodologies for assessing, reporting and managing the complete array of forest products, promote forest management measures, intensify forest landscape restoration and rehabilitation activities to support livelihoods, increase forest cover, enhance biological diversity and functionality, and minimize the impact of invasive alien species; encourage collaborative partnerships involving women, forest owners, indigenous peoples, nongovernmental organizations, local communities, industry and public agencies.

The Thirteenth World Forestry Congress will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 18 to 23 October, 2009

The theme for this Congress is “Forests in Development: a Vital Balance”

The Congress will cover social, ecological and economic aspects of sustainable forestry management in a local, regional and world context.

The Congress will include dissertations, conferences, round tables, side events and exhibitions on the following main topics:

I. Forests and biodiversity

II. Producing for development

III. Forests at the service of people

IV. Caring for our forests

V. Organizing forest development

VI. People and forests in harmony

Significance and aims of World Forestry Congresses

It would undoubtedly not be right to expect that Forestry Congresses should be held with the aim of resolving all the problems faced by forestry, as detailed and discussed at the various congresses that have taken place to date. Nevertheless, these congresses are in themselves a significant component of sustained international action, intended to influence and stimulate reflection and analysis of factors, conditions, techniques, methodologies and even positions, thoughts and ideas regarding the state of world forestry, contributing to create awareness and to revise or present new forms of technical and scientific action and policies within the framework of the forestry sector. 

It is also possible to expect that such congresses should provide guidance as to advisable international action on forestry matters, as well as competent and measured analysis for use as a basis for the development of the global forestry sector.

They can in addition provide an indication of the most effective methods for coordinating international action in technical areas, and the selection of forestry policies for adoption by national and international organizations to make an appropriate contribution to the overall progress of humanity.

The value and usefulness of World Forestry Congresses also resides in the opportunity they have provided for foresters and decision-makers in the sector from all over the world to examine and present their convictions and experience, to discuss and exchange impressions and ideas, and broaden their horizons by outlining their problems, which may be either common or unique. This is of particular importance when it is considered that forestry is today, more than ever, a matter with growing international ramifications.

Increased exchange of knowledge and people in the forestry sector represents a benefit not only for all the countries involved, but also in particular for those countries where the sector is less developed, because the dissemination of scientific and technical advances, as well as personal contacts, contribute to a better global balance and make it possible to ensure that public opinion is better informed about what is being done in the sector, and why and how it is being done.

Although these Congresses are not competent to judge the political, economic and social objectives of each participating country, as extraordinary assemblies widely representative of many countries and many forestry stakeholders, they contribute on a continuous basis with their global public call for greater attention to be paid to the world’s forests, so that such resources can contribute to raising standards of living and provide their multiple benefits effectively.

Lastly, Congresses can contribute to defining clear lines of action that can serve as directives for the formulation of national policies, providing incentives and guidance to the public and private sectors, and promoting international cooperation in forestry matters, contributing at the same time to social progress and the conservation of natural resources at inter-regional, regional and domestic levels.

 Without doubt, future Congresses will continue to encourage international exchanges, the fruit of further research and collaboration, as well as a better understanding of ecosystems and forestry techniques for sustainable development in the twenty-first century.


¹By Manuel Paveri A., based on information obtained from Unasylva magazine, June 2008