The Second Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources (Working Group) was held in Rome, Italy, from 23 to 25 January 2013. The list of delegates and observers is available on the FAO web site. Depute Director on Sciences Natalia Demidova took part in the meeting.

It was highlighted the importance of the preparation of The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources, which would serve as a basis for long-term monitoring of forest genetic resources and for the implementation of programmes for their management.

It was pointed out that forest covers about 31 percent of the world's total land area with 93 percent being natural forest and only 7 percent planted. Estimates of the number of tree species vary from 80 000 to 100 000. Forest ecosystems remain essential refuges for biodiversity, and 12 percent of the world forest land is designated primarily for the conservation of biological diversity. Approximately 14 million people worldwide are formally employed in the forestry sector. Many more depend directly on forest and forest products for their livelihoods. In developing countries, wood-based fuels are the dominant source of energy for more than 2 billion poor people. In Africa, over 90 percent of harvested wood is used for energy. Wood is not the only resource taken from forests. About 80 percent of people, in developing countries, use non-wood forest products to meet their health and nutrition needs and for income.

The contribution of forests and trees to meeting the present and future challenges of food security, poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability depends on the availability of rich diversity between and within tree species. Genetic diversity is needed to ensure that forest trees can survive, adapt and evolve under changing environmental conditions. It also maintains the vitality of forest and provides resilience to stresses such as pest and diseases. Furthermore, genetic diversity is needed for artificial selection, breeding and domestication programmes for the development of adapted varieties or to strengthen useful traits. In many countries, the prospects for sustainable development in rural areas will be greatly influenced by the state of diversity in forest ecosystems and species.

The Working Group considered the number of documents: The preparation of The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources; Review of priority areas for action and options for follow-up to The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources; Targets and indicators for forest genetic resources; Report of the First Session of the Ad Hoc Technical Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing for Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ABS Working Group).

The Working Group recommended that the Commission consider a draft of The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources at its Fourteenth Regular Session and continue working on the provisional list of indicators to monitor the state of forest genetic resources and the status of implementation of the strategic priorities and options for follow-up to The State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources.

Side event “Conservation and sustainable use of FGR at national and regional levels in the context of climate change” took place on the 25 of January.

Fulvio Ducci has presented new European project COST FP1202 «Strengthening conservation: a key issue for adaptation of marginal/ peripheral populations of forest trees to climate change in Europe (MaP-FGR)».

Michele Bozzano, EUFORGEN representative, made the presentation “Assessment of Dynamic Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources in Europe”.

Picture 1. Second Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources

Picture 2. The map of the countries who presented The State of the National Forest Genetic Resources

Picture 3. Secretary of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources Oudara Souvannavong and Natalia Demidova in the meeting Hall