2nd ASFN Meeting 27-29 August 2008, Bangkok – Thailand ASEAN Secretariat Information Paper
Agenda Item 12.2: Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASFN and RECOFTC
Pursuant to the ongoing discussions between the ASFN & RECOFTC on strengthening collaboration between the two Parties, the Executive Director of RECOTFC met with the ASFN Chairman at the ASFN Secretariat that was also attended by representative of ASEAN Secretariat on 11 June 2008, which was followed with the proposed MOU drafted by RECOFTC to be signed by the ASFN and RECOFTC.
2. To this date, the development has been as follows:
Comments to the proposed activities to be implemented under the MOU had been received and summarized into three category of activities, namely: capacity building, public awareness raising and knowledge management in promoting social forestry in Southeast Asia;
The improved version of Draft MOU had taken into consideration the appropriate format and key agreed points in available signed MOUs between ASEAN and other organizations as well as RECOFTC’s MOUs with various organizations, which appears as ANNEX A;
3. Further comments for any necessary improvement to Draft MOU continue to be received from ASFN, which is expected to be finalized by the Second ASFN Meeting in August 2008 in Bangkok, during which any indicated collaborative activities for implementation under the MOU will be proposed and discussed. During the process of finalizing the MOU, RECOFTC had prepared and submitted a Concept Note for a RECOFTC-ASFN joint project for funding consideration by the SDC, which appears as ANNEX B. During the 2nd ASFN Meeting, the ASFN may wish to discuss and develop list of activities to be carried-out by the ASFN in implementing the proposed project. Upon positive response from the respective funding donor organization, the Concept Note will be developed into full proposal, by accommodating inputs from the 2nd ASFN Meeting.
Action required: The 2nd ASFN Meeting may wish to
1) take note of this development under Objective Four of the ASFN; and
2) endorse the proposed MOU between ASFN and RECOFTC for the ASFN Lead Country to sign the MOU with RECOFTC, witnessed by the ASEAN Secretariat; and
3) develop inputs to the Concept Note for the purpose of developing full proposal in implementing the MOU between RECOFTC and ASFN.
