The World Forestry Congress is organised every six years under the auspices of FAO, and is the most important forestry event held in the world. This publication contains a synthesis report on the proceedings of the twelfth session of the WFC, held in September 2003 in Quebec City, Canada, which included participants from 137 countries. It contains details of the conference introduction and programme, final statement, conclusions and recommendations, as well as the statements given during the opening and closing ceremonies.