ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the policies required to take countries through the transition to sustainable forest management. At the national level, basic policy initiatives are required to make the transition to sustainable forest management. A strategic, participatory approach to national forest policy, emphasizing continuous improvement over time is required. Forest policy and legislation also need to be increasingly well harmonized with those of other sectors, and aimed at generating the stable land use patterns that will contribute to sustainable development. A fundamental policy decision for sustainable forest management faced by governments, is to set aside a national Permanent Forest Estate. Forestry research needs to diversify from its production focus, to examine also the environmental, social and policy problems of forests. Policies for the transition to sustainable forest management will, however, be more dynamic and focus on groups other than government—notably the private sector and communities.
