16th Session of the UNFF
With the world focused on COVID-19, global economic shocks, and climate change, UNFF16 met to remind the world that forests provide multiple socio-economic and environmental services and can help address these crises.
Forests
Forests are the most biologically-diverse terrestrial ecosystems, home to more than 80% of the species of animals, plants and insects that live on land. Yet, despite decreased deforestation rates in some regions in recent years, forest ecosystems are still under great threat. Forests play a significant role in reducing the risk of natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and landslides. Forests also mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air, and protect watersheds, which supply 75% of the world’s fresh water. Forests provide people with food, water, wood products, vital medicines, shelter, jobs, and security. In fact, more than 1.6 billion people—including more than 2,000 Indigenous cultures—depend on forests for their livelihoods. Investing in forests and forestry is an investment in forest dwellers and their livelihoods, especially the rural poor, youth, and women.
Events and Articles
Showing 21 - 30 of 183 results
59th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Council meetings included extensive discussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, deliberating the pandemic’s impact on project management, and considered a white paper by the GEF COVID-19 Task Force outlining how environmental action can reduce future threats of disease outbreak. The GEF Council also endorsed a new private sector engagement strategy, outlining how the GEF will work in a systematic manner with industry groups, companies, and investors to reverse unsustainable global trends and deliver global environmental benefits.
56th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council and Associated Sessions of the Committees (ITTC-56)
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the 56th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) and the Associated Sessions of its four Committees met virtually for the first time. The Council adopted five decisions and approved financing projects, pre-projects, and activities.
IUFRO-GFEP Virtual Launch of the Global Assessment Report on “Forests, Trees and the Eradication of Poverty: Potential and Limitations”
This event, timed to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, launched a scientific assessment report and an associated policy brief addressing the relationship between forests, trees, and poverty, as well as the roles of forests and trees in poverty reduction.
58th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility Council's 58th meeting appointed a new CEO and Chairperson. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Costa Rica's Environment and Energy Minister, will lead the GEF, with Naoko Ishii leaving after eight years. The GEF Council also agreed a work program with resources totaling USD 645.4 million. The GEF Council met online for the first time due to COVID-19.
15th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF15)
The UN Forum on Forests was scheduled to convene from 4-8 May 2020 in New York but became yet another casualty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of meeting in person, the Forum held virtual informal consultations and adopted an omnibus resolution that ensures continued progress on the UN forest agenda.
57th Meeting of the GEF Council
The 57th meeting of the Global Environment Facility Council adopted a Work Program, comprising 48 projects and five programs, with total resources amounting to USD 588.5 million. The Council discussed a proposed private sector engagement strategy and heard updates by the Conventions on activities leading up to “super year 2020."
NYDF 5-Year Anniversary and Leadership Event
Participants took stock of progress and challenges to date in meeting the goals of the 2014 New York Declaration on Forests, while highlighting innovative areas of action.