The 23rd session of APFC: "Forests - our heritage, our future"

We are pleased to inform you that the 23rd Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) is coming up soon! The session will be convened in the fascinating country of Bhutan, in the city of Thimphu. Plan your visit for 9-11 June 2010 when the session will take place, or come early and also attend the pre-session workshop that will take place on 8 June 2010.

The 23rd session of APFC will comprise a mix of plenary sessions, in-session seminars, partners' events and a Head of Forestry Dialogue. The theme "Forests - our heritage, our future" will be reflected throughout the session, along with a focus on forests and biodiversity to highlight the importance of the current International Year of Biodiversity 2010.

Further information on the session program will be available at the following websites :

http://www.fao.org/forestry/33587/en/ or http://www.dof.gov.bt/apfc2010

The pre-session workshop on "Forests: Moving GDP Contributions to Gross National Happiness Considerations", will highlight the concept of Gross National Happiness and explain how forestry's contributions to society can be better reflected and appreciated. It will also explore approaches to forest management which provide both economic and environmental and social benefits.

Formal invitations to the upcoming APFC general session were sent out at the end of March, together with an Information Note, to guide delegates with respect to the logistics of traveling to Bhutan and participation in the APFC session.

Logistics and travel requirements to visit Bhutan are complex, so it is important to plan your trip carefully. We strongly encourage you to prepare visa application, flight tickets and hotel bookings well in advance not later than mid April, to ensure your travel to Bhutan. You will need to (in sequence) :

1. submit your APFC registration form to FAO and Bhutanese organizers and obtain approval for your participation;
2. submit your request for visa clearance; and
3. book your air tickets. As Drukair is the only airline serving Bhutan and the airline has no online booking and few booking offices, we have made arrangements with Turismo Thai to help facilitate bookings on Drukair.  For flight tickets reservation, please contact Ms. Sirimon or Ms. Wichuda by email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone :
   +662-6974246 or +662-6974199.

If you desire to take the opportunity to stay longer in this exciting country, you will need to consider this before you send in the visa application, since this will be your only chance of deciding how many days you wish to stay.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Patrick Durst at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .