A/RES/62/98 Recognizing the impact of climate change on forests and sustainable forest management, as well as the contribution of forests to addressing climate change, Reaffirming the special needs and requirements of countries with fragile forest ecosystems, including those of low-forest-cover countries, Stressing the need to strengthen political commitment and collective efforts at all levels, to include forests in national and international development agendas, to enhance national policy coordination and international cooperation and to promote intersectoral coordination at all levels for the effective implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, Emphasizing that effective implementation of sustainable forest management is critically dependent upon adequate resources, including financing, capacity development and the transfer of environmentally sound technologies, and recognizing in particular the need to mobilize increased financial resources, including from innovative sources, for developing countries, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, Also emphasizing that implementation of sustainable forest management is also critically dependent upon good governance at all levels, Noting that the provisions of this instrument do not prejudice the rights and obligations of Member States under international law, Have committed themselves as follows: I. Purpose 1. The purpose of this instrument is: (a) To strengthen political commitment and action at all levels to implement effectively sustainable management of all types of forests and to achieve the shared global objectives on forests; (b) To enhance the contribution of forests to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, in particular with respect to poverty eradication and environmental sustainability; (c) II. To provide a framework for national action and international cooperation. Principles 2. Member States should respect the following principles, which build upon the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development6 and the Rio Forest Principles:1 (a) The instrument is voluntary and non-legally binding; (b) Each State is responsible for the sustainable management of its forests and for the enforcement of its forest-related laws; (c) Major groups as identified in Agenda 21, 7 local communities, forest owners and other relevant stakeholders contribute to achieving sustainable forest 6F _______________ 7 The major groups identified in Agenda 21 are women, children and youth, indigenous people and their communities, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers and trade unions, business and industry, scientific and technological communities, and farmers. 3