Forests

26th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry

3–7 October 2022 | Headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy

UN Food and Agriculture Organization Committee on Forestry – COFO

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Participants at the 26th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry highlighted evidence of recent progress in conserving or restoring forests, and the need for integrating agriculture and forestry, given that “forest restoration” is only one aspect of a more comprehensive “land restoration,” and that agroforestry and agroecology are a necessary part of the future, and growing in importance.

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Forests

Photo by Ramdan_Nain/iStock

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:

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.

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