Forests cover 31% of the world’s land surface, help mitigate climate change by storing an estimated 296 gigatonnes of carbon and are home to the majority of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. They improve soil, air and water quality, provide livelihoods for millions, and if sustainably managed, can be a source of renewable raw materials.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides a forum for policy dialogue on forest management, reliable information on forests and forest cover, and technical assistance to help national forest programmes. FAO’s Forestry Programme oversees more than 230 projects in 82 countries, with a total available project budget of USD 246 million (as of 2019).

The Committee on Forestry (COFO) is the highest FAO Forestry statutory body. Its biennial sessions bring together heads of forest services and other senior government officials to identify emerging policy and technical issues, to seek solutions, and to advise the FAO and others on appropriate action. Membership in COFO is open to all FAO member states wishing to participate in its work.

The twenty-sixth meeting of the Committee (COFO 26) will convene to discuss a number of key issues, including:

• FAO’s flagship report, The State of the World’s Forests 2022: Forest pathways for green recovery and building inclusive resilient and sustainable economies;
• the outcomes of the XV World Forestry Congress held from 2-6 May 2033 in the Republic of Korea;
• FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031, which seeks to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems;
• implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests and strengthening FAO’s contribution to the International Arrangements on Forests;
• The action plan for the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031;
• linkages between agriculture and forestry; and
• forests and sustainable production of wood and non-wood forest products.

COFO 26 will meet from 3-7 October 2022 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. At the same time, the FAO and its forestry partner organizations will be holding informative events in celebration of the eighth World Forest Week structured around the priority areas outlined in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin will provide daily updates, as well as a comprehensive summary and analysis following the conclusion of the meeting.