The following extract from CIFOR's Constitution highlights the formal purpose, guiding principles and activities of CIFOR that have been further elaborated in this Strategic Plan.

Article 4 - Purpose

1. The purpose of the Center is to contribute to the sustained well-being of people in developing countries, particularly in the tropics, through collaborative strategic and applied research and related activities in forest systems and forestry, and by promoting the transfer of appropriate new technologies and the adoption of new methods of social organisation, for national development.
2. By "forestry" is meant the science, the art and the practice of managing and using for human benefit the natural resources that occur on and in association with lands bearing forest or with a forest vocation. A "forest system" is a functional complex of forest and its biophysical, social, cultural, economic and political environment.

Article 5 - Guiding principles

The Center's guiding principles are:

(a) The provision of a focal point within CGIAR for leadership in forestry research world-wide by defining and updating a global research agenda of priority problems and by assessing the Center's comparative advantage vis-à-vis existing institutions;

(b) A commitment to strategic research aimed at better understanding of mechanisms and processes, and adopting an ecosystem approach to forest systems, a holistic view in policy and socio-economic studies and an integrated approach in forest products utilisation research;

(c) The marshalling of the necessary critical mass of inter-disciplinary scientific expertise and resources to ensure efficient and effective implementation of activities to meet clearly defined programme objectives; and

(d) A recognition that research must remain relevant to and serve the needs of developing countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable land-use practices, minimise further degradation of forested lands and promote social equity.

Article 6 - Activities

1. CIFOR shall conduct, promote and support research that can provide the basis for sustainable forestry and forest systems in developing countries, thereby enhancing the environment, development and well-being of their peoples.
2. CIFOR shall formulate a research programme to underpin the science of forestry, by developing and maintaining the necessary scientific and technological base and the necessary staff expertise. This programme shall be directed towards innovation and technology development and the transfer of the results of such work to CIFOR's stakeholders for the ultimate benefit of people in developing countries.
3. CIFOR shall operate through a variety of mechanisms suited to the needs of its constituent programmes, including networking, collaborative and contractual arrangements, and in-house research.
4. CIFOR shall monitor forestry research globally and shall obtain and process information relevant to developing countries. CIFOR shall act as a distributor of this information where and when it is needed.
5. CIFOR shall keep itself informed of the policies, practices and capabilities of other agencies active in forestry and forestry research and shall, upon request, serve in an advisory role on these matters within and outside CGIAR.
6. CIFOR shall perform such other activities as its Board of Trustees may find necessary or useful in furtherance of its purpose set forth in Article 4 hereof.
7. CIFOR's activities shall contribute to increasing the forestry research capacity of developing countries. These activities shall be undertaken in the context of strategic problem-solving research aimed at:

Objective 1

Understanding the biophysical and socio-economic environments of present and potential forest systems and forestry, and their functional relationships.

Objective 2

Creating the potential for sustainable improved productivity of forest systems for the benefit of people in developing countries.

Objective 3

Providing analysis, information and advice to assist in making policy decisions about forests and land use.

Objective 4

Increasing national forestry research capacity.