The National Forest Policy, 2002

APPENDIX 2 FORESTRY-RELATED INTERNATIONAL PRINCIPLES AND CONVENTIONS

A The International Forestry Principles

The set of Forest Principles emanating from UNCED Agenda 21, entitled "Non-legally binding authoritative statement of principles for a global consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests", deal with all basic aspects of forestry. The International Forest Principles particularly relevant to Swaziland are:

• Forestry should be approached in a holistic manner, i.e. not focus narrowly on plantations. Forestry is part of the overall environment and development, and should take multiple functions and uses of forests into consideration, including traditional uses.
• Forest resources and forestland should be sustainably managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. Needs include food, fodder, medicine, fuel, shelter and employment.
• Provision of timely, reliable and accurate information on forests is essential for public understanding and informed decision-making and should be ensured.
• Governments should provide and promote opportunities for participation, including local communities.
• National forest policies should recognise and support rights of local communities and enable them to have an economic stake in forest use.
• Demands for fuelwood should be met through sustainable forest management, afforestation and reforestation.
• Natural forests constitute a source of goods and services, and their conservation, sustainable management and use should be promoted.
• Efforts to maintain and increase forest cover and forest productivity through the rehabilitation, reforestation and re-establishment of trees and forests on unproductive, degraded and deforested land as well as through management of existing forest resources.
• Scientific research should be strengthened through effective modalities, including international co-operation. In this context, attention should also be given to research and development of sustainably harvested non-wood products.
• International exchange of information on the results of forest and forest management research and development should be enhanced and broadened.
• Indigenous capacity and local knowledge should be recognised, respected, recorded, developed and used in implementation of programmes.
• Forest policies should be integrated with other relevant policies.

B International conventions

Swaziland has ratified the following relevant international conventions:

The International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Enforceable worldwide from 22 May 1992 and ratified by Swaziland on 9 November 1994.

The objectives of this Convention are to conserve biological diversity, to promote the sustainable use of its components, and to encourage equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of utilisation of genetic resources. Swaziland’s implementation of this Convention is under the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD)

Signed by Swaziland on 27 July 1995, and ratified on 7 October 1996.

All signatories to this Convention have committed themselves to sustainable development, the use of partnerships through an integrated approach and international co-operation towards combating desertification and combating the effects of drought. Those who have ratified, like Swaziland, have embarked upon the formulation of National Action Programmes.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Signed by Swaziland on 12 June 1992, and ratified on 7 October 1996.

This Framework Convention recognises the role of net changes of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as triggers of climate change, and attempts to address the issue. Swaziland’s response is addressed in studies on climate vulnerability and its relationship with forests and ecosystems.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

Ratified by Swaziland on 24 January 1997.

This Convention controls the international movement of flora and fauna. While this convention has recently been embroiled in controversy over the banning of the ivory trade, its powers also extend to flora, including trees. For example, trade in trees endangered by the timber industry to the extent of the mahogany and teak forests of the past can now be limited under this convention.

The African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Adopted in Algiers, signed by Swaziland on 15 September 1968, and ratified on 7 April 1969.

The objectives of this Convention, namely to encourage individual and joint action for the conservation, utilisation and development of the environment for the present and future welfare of mankind from an economic, nutritional, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic point of view, are still very far from being accomplished on the continent.

The Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community

Signed at Abuja on 29 June 1992, and enforced on 12 May 1994.

The objective of this Treaty relevant to forestry is to ensure the harmonisation of co-ordination of environmental protection policies among the States Parties.

The Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations Directed at Illegal Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora

Signed on 8 September 1994, and enforced on 10 December 1996.

The main objective of this Agreement is to establish close co-operation between certain African countries, and its main aim is to reduce and ultimately eliminate illegal trade in wild fauna and flora. The Agreement has a close relationship to CITES (see above).

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