The historical background of deforestation and its underlaying causes at the global levels, as well as the international arrangements to achieve global SFM of paramount importance to students of international forestry. This Module emphasizes the fact that an understanding the concept of Sustainable Forest Management at the global level is a prerequisite for implementing the procedures to practice it at national and local levels.
An updated status of international policy regime especially as related to the role of forests in achieving sustainable development and climate change mitigation as well as conservation of biodiversity and combating desertification are discussed and will be the subject of Self-tests and assignments.
Obstacles for effective implementation of SFM include: lack of valuation of forest goods and services; market distortions; insecure land tenure; poor governance; and absence of clear National Forest Programs.