Forestry and the road to Rio + 20

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 20^th to the 22 of June. Listen