Analysis of the Forestry Global Programme clearly indicates the continuing need for national and international efforts to promote sustainable forest management (SFM) in the context of overall sustainable forest development in the developing countries. It also shows why systematic efforts have to be made to increase private sector investments into forestry, and redirect these from unsustainable to sustainable practices. The instruments to be applied in these efforts are at least in principle either already in existence or being developed through various international and country-level processes and initiatives. These instruments are also widely supported, as demonstrated , e.g.: by the proposal of action in the Final Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests.

It is, however, equally evident that (a) better approaches and methodologies need to be applied to these instruments, and that (b) the development and application of these instruments is not taking place in a fully co-ordinated manner, seeking maximum complementarity and the avoidance of overlaps and gaps in their application. This situation may, in the worst case, lead into an array of confusing and overlapping initiatives and approaches being promoted by the international agencies and donor organisations, with minimum co-ordination and little consultation with the developing countries. Consequently, the post IPF situation in international forestry may risk looking very much like the pre-UNCED situation.

The proposed UNDP Global Programme on Forests seeks to avoid this scenario and instead to promote a collaborative approach to sustainable forest management making maximum use of the existing instruments and available sources for financing. It is based on the premise that the analysis of constraint and opportunities for SFM must take place at the local and national levels. Based on this, it is possible to improve the existing instruments and at the same time assist countries in their application. The identification of most successful strategies to promote SFM, combined with the further development of the sectoral policy and planning instruments, will give a firm basis for the design and application of innovative financing mechanisms to support SFM. The programme aims simultaneously at concrete action to guide and improve on-going national efforts and the development of the conceptual basis for a long-term support programme for SFM.

To promote sustainable forest management (SFM) and related public and private sector partnerships at country level, in order to safeguard the contribution of forests to sustainable livelihoods and the sustainable development goals of countries.

• Enhanced national capacity in sustainable forest management (SFM) in the participating countries, based on improved understanding of the factors underlying successful strategies for SFM, and of critical elements of such strategies.
• Improved approaches to the processes of planning, programming and implementation of SFM developed in the participating countries and available for other interested countries, international agencies, private sector and non-governmental organisations.
• Innovative financing mechanisms defined and strengthened in the participating countries to support the implementation of NFP/FPAs, or to be used on a case by case basis, with specific focus on promoting public-private partnerships (i.e.: the use of public financing to leverage private investment).