Forests
Forests are the most biologically-diverse terrestrial ecosystems, home to more than 80% of the species of animals, plants and insects that live on land. Yet, despite decreased deforestation rates in some regions in recent years, forest ecosystems are still under great threat. Forests play a significant role in reducing the risk of natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and landslides. Forests also mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air, and protect watersheds, which supply 75% of the world’s fresh water. Forests provide people with food, water, wood products, vital medicines, shelter, jobs, and security. In fact, more than 1.6 billion people—including more than 2,000 Indigenous cultures—depend on forests for their livelihoods. Investing in forests and forestry is an investment in forest dwellers and their livelihoods, especially the rural poor, youth, and women.
Events and Articles
Showing 21 - 30 of 187 results
XV World Forestry Congress
The XV World Forestry Congress sought to define the role of forests in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other major agreements, including the Global Forest Goals, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
57th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council
After a week of deliberations, delegates agreed to renew the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 for five years, elected a new Executive Director to lead the International Tropical Timber Organization for the next four years, and addressed the growing number of late payments and arrears of contributions.
Forests, Trees and Poverty Alleviation in Africa: An Expanded Policy Brief
This HLPF side event saw the launch of the Expanded Policy Brief for African Stakeholders on Forests, Trees and Poverty Alleviation in Africa, which aims to raise awareness of the role of forests and trees to alleviate poverty.
60th Meeting of the GEF Council
The 60th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council adopted a Work Program worth USD 281.1 million that includes eight stand-alone full-sized projects on international waters, four on biodiversity, three on climate change mitigation, and two on chemicals and waste.
16th Session of the UNFF
With the world focused on COVID-19, global economic shocks, and climate change, UNFF16 met to remind the world that forests provide multiple socio-economic and environmental services and can help address these crises.
59th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Council meetings included extensive discussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, deliberating the pandemic’s impact on project management, and considered a white paper by the GEF COVID-19 Task Force outlining how environmental action can reduce future threats of disease outbreak. The GEF Council also endorsed a new private sector engagement strategy, outlining how the GEF will work in a systematic manner with industry groups, companies, and investors to reverse unsustainable global trends and deliver global environmental benefits.
56th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council and Associated Sessions of the Committees (ITTC-56)
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the 56th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) and the Associated Sessions of its four Committees met virtually for the first time. The Council adopted five decisions and approved financing projects, pre-projects, and activities.
IUFRO-GFEP Virtual Launch of the Global Assessment Report on “Forests, Trees and the Eradication of Poverty: Potential and Limitations”
This event, timed to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, launched a scientific assessment report and an associated policy brief addressing the relationship between forests, trees, and poverty, as well as the roles of forests and trees in poverty reduction.
58th Meeting of the GEF Council
The Global Environment Facility Council's 58th meeting appointed a new CEO and Chairperson. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Costa Rica's Environment and Energy Minister, will lead the GEF, with Naoko Ishii leaving after eight years. The GEF Council also agreed a work program with resources totaling USD 645.4 million. The GEF Council met online for the first time due to COVID-19.
15th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF15)
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.