FSC: 10 years of forest leadership - September 10th, 2004

Bonn, Germany- Conceived by environmental activists, social groups and progressive businesses in 1993 to move from confrontation to consultation over forest management practices, the Forest Stewardship Council today celebrated its 10th Anniversary in Bonn, Germany.

More than 250 representatives from the social, environmental and economic sectors promoting responsible forest management joined the celebration. Over three days from the 10th to 13th of September, FSCâ??s supporters from around the world will discuss and define the next 10 years of FSC.

Chairman of the FSC Board of Directors, David Nahwegahbow, pointed out that over the past 10 years, FSC had broken new ground by bringing people involved in forests together. â??The next 10 years will be about moving from youthful enthusiasm to a mature and systematic global network achieving its mission of promoting responsible management of the worldâ??s forests. We need to move FSC from markets niche to position FSC trademarks as a mainstream it the forest market, ensuring not just economic benefits but also stronger social and environmental benefits where there are needed.â??

The conference was opened today by; German Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Renate Künast, the Mayor of the City of Bonn, Bärbel Dieckman; Director General of WWF International Claude Martin; Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Kingfisher Group, Alan Knight; National Forest Program Director of Brazil, Tasso Rezende de Azevedo, as well as other distinguished speakers.

"In its first decade FSC has shown that there is a business case for sustainable forestry" said Claude Martin, Director General of WWF International. Through creating a mechanism that gives equal weight to social, environmental and economic interests, FSC has provided a solution that uses the market to encourage responsible forests management. In the future, we need to also strengthen FSC in the most threatened forests to keep them for future generations."

Renate Künast, German Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture said:â??We are fighting against forest destruction and therefore supporting all efforts for certification of timber. FSC has achieved remarkable results within the last 10 years. Our common goal is to save the forests of the earth in the interest of the people, the environment and the climateâ??.

FSC is today a global network with an international center in Bonn, regional offices covering all parts of the globe, national initiatives in 34 countries and certified forests in 62 countries. Heiko Liedeker, Executive Director thanked the German Government and the City of Bonn for their support establishing the FSC International Center in Bonn last year.

Through a system created to give equal power to the social, environmental and economic interests in the decision making process, FSC has been a key tool to encourage responsible forest management. Over 45 million hectares are now FSC certified. The FSC trademark provides an economic for promoting responsible forest management.

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