As delegates tried to balance ambitious and increasing mandates for the Forum and its Secretariat with increasingly constrained resources, some wondered if scale and velocity can be achieved in time to realize even part of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests by its 2030 deadline.

Participants discussed the agenda for the Mountain Partnership going forward, including strong calls for reinforcing the science-policy interface and ensuring mountain issues are better reflected in climate and other international processes.

Members reaffirmed the key role of the Organization in promoting sustainable forest management and emphasized the need to demonstrate its continued relevance and long-term sustainability. They also looked ahead and considered the roadmap for negotiations and the key elements of a successor agreement.

During the first “technical” track of the biennial work cycle, delegates took stock of progress and the tools to achieve the Global Forest Goals and realize the shared vision of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests. But in all discussions, the main question was how to do more with less.