Consultation on the East Asia & Pacific Forestry Strategy

This Forestry Strategy for the East Asia Region is a consultation report. It has been prepared by the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region of the World Bank to guide future development and management of the Bank’s work in forestry in that region. It is intended primarily to summarize for Bank management and staff the issues facing the forestry sector and lessons learned from the work of the Bank and others in forestry development; and to lay out in nontechnical terms a way forward for the Bank in this sector. On the basis of review and discussion of earlier drafts, EAP management has decided to elicit comments and reactions to the present version. The expectation is that the final version not only will be a World Bank strategy but also will contribute to the public debate about forests and forestry.

In addition to distributing this report, the World Bank is making it available on the Bank’s website. The Bank also plans to convene consultations and workshops to solicit views, opinions, and recommendations from policymakers, civil society organizations, communities, professional and technical specialists, the donor community, and the commercial private sector on improving this proposed strategy.Without limiting the scope for comments, particularly useful input would address the report’s relevance , the likely effectiveness of the proposed interventions, and improving efficiency .

Relevance. Is the proposed strategy relevant? Is the overall forest resource management issue of sufficient importance to East Asia and the Pacific that an explicit strategy is needed for the World Bank? Are the highlighted challenges of globalization, forest crime, the impacts of financial institutions and mechanisms, deforestation, and decentralization the most important developments affecting forests? Is the strategy’s specific focus on the poor quality and limited extent of management appropriate?

Effectiveness. Does it seem likely that the proposed strategy will bring about positive outcomes and impacts? Can the anticipated linkages be made between the visible and measurable management performance and the underlying problems of poor governance, distorted policies, and marginalization and disenfranchisement of forestdependent communities?

Efficiency.How could the impact of the Bank’s efforts in forestry be increased, either through pursuit of the proposed strategy or by redirecting efforts?

Comments and reactions are welcome on any aspect of the report and can be directed to William B.Magrath, Lead Natural Resource Economist, Rural Development and Natural Resources Sector Department, East Asia and the Pacific Region,World Bank, 1818 H St., NW Washington, DC 20043, USA.