From 1995 to 1997, the members of the IPF considered a wide array of topics including criteria and indicators for forest health, third-party certification of forest practices, and the need for an international convention dealing solely with forests. The IPF provided a report on their activities in June 1997 at a special session of the UN General Assembly.

Although the group ultimately rejected a binding forestry convention, they agreed to continue their intergovernmental policy dialogue on forests through a new Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) which will report to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in 1999.

The new IFF, along with international legal instruments such as the Global Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, have the potential to significantly influence forest resource management around the world. Forest industries are working through the International Standards Organization to explore the development of environmental management standards for the wood products sector.

Federal, State, and private forest land managers have a vital stake in the outcome of these international negotiations. The United States forestry community must remain fully engaged in this dialogue. If we choose not to participate, these activities will still go forward but we will have little influence over the consequences.