{"id":21241,"date":"2025-01-29T09:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T08:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plantedforests.org\/?p=21241"},"modified":"2025-03-25T14:12:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T13:12:44","slug":"enabling-sustainable-management-of-fast-growing-trees-at-scale-outcomes-from-the-27th-session-of-the-international-commission-on-poplars-and-other-fast-growing-trees-sustaining-people-and-the-environ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plantedforests.org\/es\/enabling-sustainable-management-of-fast-growing-trees-at-scale-outcomes-from-the-27th-session-of-the-international-commission-on-poplars-and-other-fast-growing-trees-sustaining-people-and-the-environ\/","title":{"rendered":"Enabling sustainable management of fast-growing trees at scale: outcomes from the 27th Session of the International Commission on Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees Sustaining People and the Environment (IPC)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Faustine Zoveda, Laureana de Prado, and Thais Linhares-Juvenal, FAO<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 27th Session of the International Commission on Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees Sustaining People and the Environment (IPC27), hosted by the French government, and co-organized by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, the French Poplar Council (CNP), and the European Institute on Planted Forests (IEFC), brought together over 200 participants in-person and online from 22 FAO Member States. Held from 22 to 25 October 2024 in Bordeaux, the session focused on the pivotal role of fast-growing trees in addressing the climate crisis under the theme: \u201cPoplars and other fast-growing trees for climate change mitigation and adaptation: Pathways to climate resilience and carbon-neutral societies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit – Christophe Orazio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a treaty-based body hosted by FAO, the IPC promotes global knowledge exchange and technical cooperation to advance sustainable management of fast-growing trees globally to support developmental needs. In 2019, the IPC adopted a revised Convention which expanded its mandate to all fast-growing species. The IPC Strategy 2022-2032 focuses on implementing the Commission’s new mandate and global priorities such as contributions of fast-growing trees to forest restoration, increased forest ecosystem services and the bioeconomy. IPC27 marked the first in-person Session since the adoption of the new Convention and Strategy and strived to build on its experience on poplars and willows to engage with new species and new geographies. It was the first time that an IPC Session had the participation of Sub-Saharan Africa countries, the Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, and of the Latin American countries Brazil and Uruguay. During the session, the key recommendations<\/strong> emphasized the need to strengthen the linkages between the research and technical work carried out by the IPC Working Parties and the IPC Members\u2019 National Commissions. The need to accelerate the inclusion of diverse fast-growing tree species into the activities of the Working Parties and to enhance communication and outreach efforts were also highlighted. Together with the request to review the IPC collection of national information on fast-growing trees, these recommendations will certainly contribute to ensure that the new IPC mandate translates into meaningful actions globally over the next four years, supporting expansion, better management of and higher benefits from planted forest and trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit: Marzena Niemczyk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A hybrid Side Event<\/strong>, \u201cFast-Growing Trees to Advance Wood in the Bioeconomy in Africa\u201d<\/em>, focused on country strategies to enhance the bioeconomy transition in Africa. With a keynote speech by the Minister of Forest Economy from the Republic of Congo, Madame Rosalie Matondo,   this event, organized as part of the Wood for Globe project, funded by the Forest Fund of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management (BML) of Austria, brought together IPC Working Party Chairs and representatives from African nations to exchange on policies and science for fast-growing tree resources to support the environment and livelihoods. Discussions highlighted the potential of fast-growing trees to achieve the goals of Agenda 2030<\/strong> and the broader African bioeconomy. To conclude, the French version of Unasylva #254<\/a>: \u201cTowards more resilient and diverse planted forests\u201d<\/em> was officially launched, marking an important milestone in knowledge dissemination.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Photo credit – Thais Linhares Juvenal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

With 133 oral and poster presentations<\/strong>, the technical sessions provided a platform to share cutting-edge research and innovations from countries within and beyond the IPC constituency, including Serbia, Poland, Brazil, and Republic of Congo. Discussions covered a wide array of species, including poplars, willows, eucalypts, and acacia among others, emphasizing their varied contributions to sustainable forestry and the bioeconomy. Four keynote speeches further enriched the sessions, shedding light on key challenges and opportunities aligned with the IPC\u2019s expanded mandate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The session also featured pre- and post-study tours<\/strong> in France and Italy, offering participants hands-on insights into innovative practices in managing fast-growing tree resources sustainably in a variety of production systems. Participants also had the opportunity to discuss innovations in wood technology, notably for applications in the building sector, and to visit processing mills. These tours fostered invaluable exchanges and showcased<\/a> real-world applications of research and policy in forestry management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead<\/strong>, the IPC\u2019s newly elected Executive Committee, composed of 11 members, is set to guide the Commission\u2019s efforts. By focusing on enhancing collaboration among Member States, refining reporting processes, and identifying priority species tailored to national needs, the IPC is laying the groundwork for long-term impact in the sustainable management of fast-growing trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n