Regional training workshop on multiple-use forest management planning

30 April 2023, Amman, Jordan – The Food and Agriculture Organization -Regional office for the Near East and North Africa-organized a regional training workshop on multiple-use forest management planning in the Near East and North African countries. The event was conducted in Amman, Jordan and gathered around 25 participants from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria representing ministries of agriculture, forestry directorates and forest managers. The training was provided by a senior international expert in the development of management plans for multiple-use forests.

The training aimed to support countries to strengthen the development and implementation of integrated and participatory management programs of multiple-use forest and strengthen capacities of forestry officers in the field in implementing and monitoring integrated and participatory management programs of multiple-use forest. The training focused on the management plan process taking into consideration the environmental and social impact of forest management as well as the forest services, biodiversity conservation and the exceptional events and safety management. The training was based on the learning by doing concept and alternated theoretical and practical sessions in the field.

The workshop was also the occasion to discuss the forest management planning in the Near East countries, their main strengthens and weaknesses and to convert the theoretical knowledge into practical skills by proposing sustainable management plans for a multiple-use forest based on the field visits conducted during the training.

Participants recognized FAO support to the sustainable natural resources management and biodiversity conservation, encouraged the exchange of experience within the region and requested FAO to continue its assistance to the countries including in developing capacity building programmes for sustainable forest management planning.