C.E.F. Presidency Activity Report
Reporting period: 25 August 2012 – 31 August 2013
According to the Statute of the Council of European Foresters (C.E.F.), the Presidency prepares a monthly Activity Report and submits it to all C.E.F. members.
Within the framework of the strategy and objectives set by the C.E.F., and in line with the agreements of its members, the activities carried out by the C.E.F. Presidency during the above-mentioned period are presented below.
September 2012
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During the International Foresters Manifestations held on 02–03 August 2012 in Iași, Romania, it was agreed that the Presidency of the C.E.F. would be taken over by Mr. Ali Küçükaydın, President of the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers, starting 25 August 2012.
Official notification was sent by Mr. Marian Stoicescu, former President of C.E.F., to all member institutions and members of the Advisory Group. -
A document archive was established for all materials received from the former Presidency. This archive included official C.E.F. documents from the period 25 August 2011 – 25 August 2012.
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On 12 September 2012, a letter was sent to all C.E.F. members and Advisory Group members requesting approval for Prof. Dr. Yuriy Tunytsya (Ukrainian National Forestry University) to become Vice-President of C.E.F. and member of the Advisory Group of Forest Experts from Europe (AGFEE).
The membership of the Ukrainian National Forestry University (Lviv, Ukraine) was approved, and membership certificates were sent to Prof. Dr. Yuriy Tunytsya and Dr. Ihor Soloviy.
October – November 2012
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On 02 October 2012, a summary report outlining the future strategy and activities of the C.E.F. and its Advisory Group, as approved during the Iași meetings, was circulated to all members.
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A tentative work program and timeline for upcoming C.E.F. and Advisory Group activities was prepared and distributed.
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Mr. Ali Küçükaydın, President of the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers and President of C.E.F., invited all member organizations and Advisory Group members to the Forest Products Fair held in Istanbul (13–17 October 2012).
The Istanbul Branch of the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers provided free participation and logistical support.
A delegation of five representatives from Consilva Confederation (Romania), including Mr. Marian Stoicescu, together with a Turkish delegation, attended the fair. -
During the fair, discussions were held regarding an upcoming Brussels meeting with representatives of the EU Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development.
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Membership certificates were officially sent to:
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Prof. Dr. Yuriy Tunytsya – Vice-President of C.E.F. and AGFEE member
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Dr. Ihor Soloviy – AGFEE member
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On 13 November 2012, a C.E.F. delegation composed of Board members and Advisory Group representatives from Hungary, Romania, and Turkey met with officials from the EU Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in Brussels.
The delegation proposed the official recognition of the Advisory Group of Forest Experts from Europe by the European Commission through completion of Annex I of Decision 2004/391. -
Following the meeting, two official letters, signed by members of the C.E.F. Board and Advisory Group, were submitted to:
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Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
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Mr. Dacian Cioloș, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development
A follow-up meeting with Commissioner Cioloș was planned for early 2013.
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The Antalya meeting, initially planned during the Iași Manifestations, was cancelled due to time constraints and preparations for UNFF10.
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A decision was taken to send a letter to all members to assess participation in UNFF10 (Istanbul, April 2013) and arrange logistical support.
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A letter was sent to UN-ECOSOC NGOs Section requesting accreditation for C.E.F. participation in UNFF10 and related events; no response was received during this period.
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Another letter was sent to Mr. Jan Heino, Chairman of the Negotiation Committee for the Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe, requesting C.E.F. participation.
A positive response was received, and the request was submitted to the Third Session of the Committee (Antalya, January 2013).
December 2012 – January 2013
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A letter was sent to Ms. Lene Maesager, Head of Unit responsible for the Advisory Group on Forestry and Cork (DG AGRI), requesting information regarding observer status and access to meeting agendas and documents.
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Invitation letters were sent to all C.E.F. members and AGFEE representatives to participate in UNFF10 (08–19 April 2013, Istanbul).
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Member organizations from Romania, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted their delegation lists.
Accommodation arrangements were organized by the Turkish Chamber of Forest Engineers. -
The C.E.F. Presidency decided to organize a side event during UNFF10 and submitted the required application to the UNFF Secretariat.
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At the INC3 meeting (28 January – 01 February 2013, Antalya), C.E.F. obtained observer status.
The C.E.F. delegation presented a proposal to amend Article 18 of the Draft Forest Agreement to include foresters among forest owners and managers. -
The draft negotiating text was circulated to all C.E.F. and AGFEE members for comments and amendments.
February – April 2013
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Despite multiple applications, the UNFF10 accreditation process could not be finalized due to its multi-year duration.
Consequently, the proposed C.E.F. side event was not approved. -
C.E.F. was officially accepted as an observer in the Forest Europe negotiation processes.
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A C.E.F. representative participated in the Third Resumed Meeting (INC3+) held in St. Petersburg (3–5 April 2013), submitting interventions and proposals on behalf of the organization.
May – June 2013
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Following coordination with Mr. Marian Stoicescu and Prof. Dr. Barbara Koch (University of Freiburg), a C.E.F. delegation visited Freiburg on 15 June 2013.
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During meetings with Prof. Dr. Barbara Koch, observer participation of the AGFEE in the EU Advisory Group on Forestry and Cork was confirmed.
Representatives from Hungary and Freiburg University attended the Brussels meeting (4 June 2013) and reported outcomes to C.E.F. members. -
C.E.F. delegations participated in INC3, INC3+, and INC4, contributing statements and proposals on behalf of professional forestry organizations.
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INC4 (10–14 June 2013, Warsaw) was attended by Ali Küçükaydın and Mevlut Düzgün.
At the opening session, C.E.F. emphasized the importance of civil society and professional forestry NGOs in all stages of negotiation.
Ali KÜÇÜKAYDIN
President of C.E.F.