2011: Ano Internacional das Florestas

Virada a página do calendário, entramos no Ano Internacional das Florestas. Assim ficou estabelecido na Assembleia Geral da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU): 2011 é o ano consagrado às matas, que chegam a cobrir 31% da área terrestre do planeta. Mais que uma homenagem, o objectivo da ONU é lembrar ao mundo a importância que as florestas têm para a sobrevivência de todo tipo de vida – incluindo a humana.
Segundo dados da organização, é debaixo das copas das árvores que vivem 300 milhões de pessoas e se alberga 80% da biodiversidade da Terra. Mas os serviços ambientais das florestas vão muito além de suas fronteiras: calcula-se que pelo menos 1,6 bilhão de pessoas dependa diretamente delas para sobreviver.
Boa parte desse total está do lado do Brasil. Afinal, está aí que se situa a maior floresta tropical do planeta. Dos 6,9 milhões de quilómetros quadrados de Amazônia, 4,2 milhões ficam em território brasileiro. Neles moram mais de 20 milhões de pessoas, das quais 200 mil indígenas, e uma biodiversidade que, apesar de maioritariamente por revelar, é das mais impressivas do Planeta.
Além de fundamental ao equilíbrio climático global e influenciar directamente o regime de chuvas do Brasil e da América Latina, a floresta amazônica armazena entre 80 e 120 mil milhões de toneladas de carbono. Números suficientes para convencer qualquer um da importância de se manter de pé esse património verde.

Para assinalar a ocasião, a ONU está a organizar em colaboração com o Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival o IFFF - International Forest Film Festival:

To celebrate Forests 2011, the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS) is working in collaboration with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival to organise the International Forest Film Festival (IFFF).
IFFF winning films will be presented to delegates of all 192 countries at the launch of the International Year of Forests 2011 at United Nations Headquarters, New York in February, 2011. The launch of the International Year will take place as part of the official programme of the ninth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). Subsequently, the winning films will also be screened around the world.
The International Forest Film Festival aims to raise awareness on the importance of forests, their relationship with people and the planet we share, and consequently, to inspire a sense of personal responsibility/stewardship for a greener, more equitable, sustainable future.

Informações em: United Nations Forum on Forests



Resolução da ONU:

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly

On the report of the Second Committee (A/61/422/Add.1 and Corr.1)

61/193. International Year of Forests, 2011

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its commitment to the Non-legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management, Conservation and Sustainable Development of All Types of Forests and Agenda 21, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development and the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002,

Recalling the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, and other relevant conventions dealing with the complexity of forest issues,

Recognizing that forests and sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals,
Recalling Economic and Social Council decision of 24 July 2006,

Emphasizing the need for sustainable management of all types of forests, including fragile forest ecosystems,

Convinced that concerted efforts should focus on raising awareness at all levels to strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations,

1. Decides to declare 2011 the International Year of Forests;

2. Requests the secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, to serve as the focal point for the implementation of the Year, in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and international, regional and subregional organizations and processes as well as relevant major groups;

3. Invites, in particular, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, within its mandate, to support the implementation of the Year;

4. Calls upon Governments, relevant regional and international organizations, and major groups to support activities related to the Year, inter alia, through voluntary contributions, and to link their relevant activities to the Year;

5. Encourages voluntary partnerships among Member States, international organizations and major groups to facilitate and promote activities related to the Year at the local and national levels, including by creating national committees or designating focal points in their respective countries;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session on the state of preparations for the Year.  

83rd plenary meeting
20 December 2006

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