Forest

15th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF15)

4 May – 4 June 2020 | Online

UN Forum on Forests – UNFF

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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.

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The fifteenth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF15) was supposed to convene from 4-8 May 2020 at UN Headquarters in New York. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UNFF Bureau decided to hold a half-day virtual session in June 2020.

As outlined in the UNFF Quadrennial Programme of Work (4POW) for the period 2017-2020, UNFF15 as an “even-year” session should have focused on policy dialogue, development, and decision-making. UNFF15 was expected to adopt a resolution on several important issues including the 4POW for 2021-2024, and hold a high-level segment to adopt a ministerial declaration. See Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary and analysis of UNFF14.

Due to the closure of the United Nations Headquarters building since March 2020, as a result of the unprecedented COVID-19 circumstances, the UNFF15 Bureau held extraordinary virtual meetings on 16 and 23 March 2020, and discussed different scenarios for UNFF15. The Bureau decided:

  • UNFF15 would be scaled down to a half-day session to adopt the session’s resolution;
  • The draft resolution would be considered and agreed, following the silence procedure (The silence procedure provides UN Member States with at least 72 hours to raise objections on a draft resolution or decision, and allows for explanations of position);
  • To postpone the high level segment, and adoption of the ministerial declaration to UNFF16 in 2021; and
  • UNFF members should participate in and contribute to Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in order to draw important forest-related elements for the UNFF16 Ministerial Declaration and the 4POW for 2021-2024.

In preparation for the virtual meeting, the Bureau prepared the UNFF15 draft resolution through a transparent and consultative process involving submission of inputs by members and stakeholders, and circulation of revisions by email. UNFF member countries held a virtual consultation on 4 June 2020 with an aim of reaching consensus on pending issues. The final draft resolution is expected to be adopted under the silence procedure in June 2020.

View past and future events

Past event

UNFF Organizational Meeting and Informal Consultations on the Multi-Year Programme of Work

Past event

1st Session of the UNFF

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2nd Session of the UNFF

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UN Forum on Forests Country-Led Initiative on Lessons Learned in Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting on Implementation of IPF/IFF Proposals for Action

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3rd Session of the UNFF

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4th Session of the UNFF

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UNFF Ad Hoc Expert Group on Consideration with a View to Recommending the Parameters of a Mandate for Developing a Legal Framework on All Types of Forests

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Country-led Initiative (CLI) in Support of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) on the Future of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF)

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5th Session of the UNFF

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6th Session of the UNFF

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UNFF Expert Group on the non-legally Binding Instrument

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7th Session of the UNFF

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Country-Led Initiative (CLI) on Financing for Sustainable Forest Management in Support of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF): The Paramaribo Dialogue

Past event

8th Session of the UNFF

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Country-Led Initiative (CLI) in Support of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF): Forests for People - The Role of National Forest Programmes and the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests

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Country-led Initiative (CLI) in Support of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF): Oaxaca Workshop on Forest Governance, Decentralization and REDD+ in Latin America and the Caribbean

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9th Session of the UNFF

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10th Session of the UNFF

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2nd Meeting of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group on the International Arrangement on Forests (AHEG2)

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11th Session of the UNFF

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United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Working Group and Special Session

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12th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF12)

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13th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF13)

Past event

14th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF14)

Past event

15th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF15)

Past event

16th Session of the UNFF

Past event

17th Session of the UNFF

Past event

18th Session of the UNFF

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