Many drylands in the world suffer problems of land degradation and desertification derived from human activities and exacerbated by drought. Too often these degradation processes have been endured by the ecosystems for a long time, and, according to forecasts of climate change, are likely to worsen in the future. Ecological restoration combined with adaptive management can be effective tools in response to this environmental and socioeconomic problem.

The Agriculture Strategic Development Plan is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The Timeframe of this Plan is 3 years between 2010 and 2012.

This paper examines the drivers of deforestation and the loss of forest services, and the various mechanisms that exist to protect forests in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). In most cases policy mechanisms play a greater role in forest protection than payment for environmental services (PES) which has yet to develop in the subregion. Scenarios presented suggest that higher income countries will have much greater scope in protecting forest environmental services that low income countries.

Les forêts du monde fournissent des avantages économiques, sociaux et environnementaux d’une importance cruciale. Elles génèrent des moyens de subsistance pour les populations, fournissent des produits ligneux et non ligneux, procurent de l’eau potable et abritent la moitié des espèces animales et végétales de la planète. Pourtant, 13 millions d’hectares de forêts sont convertis chaque année pour d’autres usages, produisant près de 17 pour cent des émissions annuelles de gaz à effet de serre d’origine humaine.

En muchas regiones del mundo, la disponibilidad y calidad del agua potable cada vez está más amenazada por su explotación excesiva, el mal uso y la contaminación. En este contexto, la relación entre los bosques y el agua debe recibir una gran prioridad. Las cuencas de captación forestales suministran una gran parte del agua destinada a satisfacer las necesidades domésticas, agrícolas, industriales y ecológicas, tanto en las zonas de río arriba como en las de río abajo.

Insect pests, diseases and other biotic agents have considerable impacts on forests and the forest sector. They can adversely affect tree growth and the yield of wood and non-wood products. Damage caused by forest pests can significantly reduce wildlife habitat thereby reducing local biodiversity and species richness.

Dans de nombreuses régions du monde, la quantité d’eau potable et sa qualité sont menacées par la surexploitation, le mauvais usage et la pollution. Il est nécessaire à cet égard d’accorder une haute priorité aux relations entre les forêts et l’eau. Les bassins versants boisés fournissent un pourcentage important de toute l’eau utilisée à des fins domestiques, agricoles, industrielles et écologiques, dans les zones situées tant en amont qu’en aval.

Developments in China will have substantial impacts on forestry in the rest of the region. This wide-ranging country outlook study discusses a host of topics including prospects for China's afforestation/reforestation efforts, supply and demand for forest products and ecological services, key drivers of change, impacts of globalization, policy developments, and social objectives of forestry.

Hosted in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 18 to 20 August 2009, the First Regional People and Forests Forum on Carbon Financing and Community Forestry brought together more than 80 people from 12 countries, including key government, civil society, private sector, and international organization participants. During the three days, participant learning and discussion was stimulated through case study and topical presentations, expert panel discussions, a film viewing, group work sessions, and a field visit to Vietnam’s only afforestation/reforestation Clean Development Mechanism (A/R CDM) site.