Talks at the 19th Session of the UN Forum on Forests will focus on enhancing forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits; significantly increasing the area of protected forests worldwide; and steps to advance sustainable forest management.

Delegates made progress towards enhancing the Multilateral System that provides facilitated access to a list of crops considered vital for food security, with the aim to increase benefit-sharing flows to the stewards of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, which are primarily farmers in developing countries.

Discussions focused on kickstarting the implementation of the new BBNJ treaty, especially by identifying marine protected areas. Many also underscored ocean-climate linkages and highlighted the importance of global cooperation on ocean science.

Under the theme “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution,” delegates adopted 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a Ministerial Declaration, covering topics including the highly hazardous pesticides, sustainable lifestyles, sand and dust storms, and environmental recovery in areas affected by armed conflict.