To anyone who is genuinely concerned for the future of both the world's forests and the populations who depend either directly or indirectly - on the use of these forests for their livelihood, it should be apparent that, rather than being a force for the destruction of forest resources, forest industry is and must continue to be an essential element in the process of valorizing these resources and thereby ensuring the socio-economic base for sustainable development.

As in the past, the Unasylva issue immediately preceding the World Forestry Congress examines a number of the broad challenges facing forestry. In an interview, FAO Director General Edouard Saouma considers the world forestry situation and highlights the Organization's priorities for work in forestry over the coming decade. The cutting edge of FAO's forestry activities is exemplified in the assistance provided to member countries; M.K. Muthoo, Director of the FAO Forestry Operations Service, describes the recent evolution of the department's field programme. M.R.