The event featured numerous side sessions that addressed crucial topics such as sustainable intensification, Intact Forest Landscapes, climate change, Indigenous issues, conversion, rubber, fashion, and more. These sessions provided diverse perspectives on critical forest-related topics and showcased inspiring success stories, case studies and innovative solutions to global challenges and opportunities.
FSC ANZ’s Patricia Fitzsimons gave an insightful presentation as a part of the session Augmenting Synergies with Governments in the Asia Pacific. In her talk, Patricia addressed the complexity of engaging and building relationships with governments in Australia and explored the work FSC ANZ has already undertaken in this space. Given the recent change of the federal executive government in Australia, FSC ANZ has a significant opportunity to respond to the new government's agenda to create a national biodiversity market and address climate change through a legislated emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030. The session also highlighted that a strong commitment to sustainability from local and national governments worldwide is vital to securing the future of forests.
FSC ANZ Board Director David Collard also took to the GA stage as a facilitator for the Indigenous Perspectives on Implementation session. Throughout the session, we heard from Indigenous members of the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC), FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC IF), and other influential international organisations. Each speaker explored the various perspectives and experiences of implementing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), particularly in the forestry sector worldwide.
Each day, FSC members participated in the Member’s Assembly, where they voted on motions to make critical changes to the FSC system. Fourteen motions were passed, including the much-anticipated Motion 37: Required changes to the FSC Principles and Criteria to implement the Policy to Address Conversion, and Motion 45: Enhance and Improve the Conversion and Remedy Package to Protect FSC’s Credibility. These changes are expected to be incorporated into the Australian National Forest Stewardship Standard in the ongoing revision and the New Zealand standard when it is revised next. You can find out more about Motion 37 and its significance for the FSC system here.
The General Assembly was a fantastic opportunity for the FSC ANZ team to connect with the FSC membership and international colleagues and to better understand the most pertinent issues FSC is dealing with on a global scale. The insights and relationships gained from this experience will help enrich and guide our conversations and collaborations for years to come.
During the General Assembly, FSC developed the below videos which cover some of the hottest topics in FSC and feature members from around the globe explaining their position on the topic: