There is just one day to go to the start of the Rio + 20 United Nations Conference
on Sustainable Development. In the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro participants including
world leaders and NGO’s will discuss seven critical issues such as, jobs, water, food,
cities, disasters, oceans and energy.
On the sidelines of the event the UN
Food and Agriculture Organisation has been highlighting the importance of forestry
and its importance in combatting climate change and in opening up ways to a green
bio economy.
Lydia O’Kane spoke to Lauren Flejzor and Matta Rao, Officers,
from the Forestry division at FAO.
Speaking about the upcoming conference Lauren
Flejzor says that although Forestry is not one of the primary issues being discussed
at the main summit, it’s importance cannot be underestimated.
“Forests still
have a major role to play in all the seven thematic areas that will be discussed in
Rio + 20”
Meanwhile, her colleague, Forestry Officer, Matta Rao adds that “more
and more counties are realising the importance of maintaining the health and vitality
of forests”
The Rio + 20 conference runs from the 20th to the 22
of June. Listen