ARTICLE 3: OBJECTIVES 1. The objectives of this Protocol are to: a. promote the development, conservation, sustainable management and utilisation of all types of forests and trees; b. promote trade in forest products throughout the Region in order to alleviate poverty and generate economic opportunities for the peoples of the Region; and c. achieve effective protection of the environment, and safeguard the interests of both the present and future generations. 2. To achieve the objectives of this Protocol, State Parties shall co-operate by: a. assisting and supporting each other to address issues of common concern including deforestation, genetic erosion, climate change, forest fires, pests, diseases, invasive alien species, and law enforcement in a manner that makes the best use of the technical, financial and other resources in the Region; b. promoting the sustainable management of shared forests, taking into account other Protocols; c. facilitating the gathering and monitoring of information and the sharing and dissemination of information, expertise and technology concerning forests, forestry and forest industries, throughout the Region; d. developing human resources in the forest sector through establishing regional facilities for building technical capacity and other means; e. promoting trade and investment based on the sustainable management and utilisation of forests, including developing and agreeing on common standards for sustainable forest management and forest products; f. harmonising approaches to sustainable forest management, forest policy, legislation and enforcement, and issues of international concern; g. promoting respect for the rights of communities and facilitating their participation in forest policy development, planning, and management with particular attention to the need to protect traditional forest-related knowledge and to develop adequate mechanisms to ensure the equitable sharing of benefits derived from forest resources and traditional forest-related knowledge without prejudice to property rights; h. promoting the intangible, cultural and spiritual value of forests; i. establishing equitable and efficient ways of facilitating public access to forests especially by neighbouring communities; j. establishing appropriate institutions and funding mechanisms to support the implementation of this Protocol; and k. taking other appropriate measures to give effect to this Protocol. ARTICLE 4: GUIDING PRINCIPLES 1. In implementing this Protocol, State Parties shall co-operate in good faith and shall be guided by, and give effect to, the principles and approaches set out in this Article. 2. State Parties shall have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to use their forest resources to meet their environmental and sustainable development needs and a responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environments and forest resources of other states.