Highlights and images for 6 May 2025

How can parties simultaneously and synergistically meet the demands of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the Global Forest Goals (GFGs)? How can the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) expand its reach, amplify forest messages across platforms, and enable synergistic work while facing growing resource constraints and an ever-growing task list? Delegates discussed this and more during the second day of the 20th meeting of the UNFF (UNFF20).

During the morning session, participants reported on interlinkages between the GFGs, the SDGs, the three Rio Conventions, and other international forest-related processes and developments. Lotta Tähtinen, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), stressed that linkages between the GFGs and SDGs are important for implementation by offering pathways for leveraging co-benefits and enabling holistic progress. Secretariat representatives from the CBD, the UNFCCC, and the UNCCD highlighted key forest-related outcomes from their respective Conferences of the Parties (COPs).

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, Uzbekistan, and Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Forest Economy, Congo, highlighted the significance of UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 78/320 on promoting sustainable forest management (SFM), and UNGA resolution 79/283 designating 2027-2036 as the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation in line with SFM. Garo Batmanian, Director General of the Brazilian Forest Service, briefed members on the status of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility to be presented at UNFCCC COP30.

In general discussions, many countries highlighted national actions to integrate efforts on climate change, biodiversity loss, forest conservation, SDGs, and combatting desertification. Many emphasized the need for global action on forest governance and the importance of building bridges between multilateral processes and national efforts. One party called for a plurality of approaches for protecting forests, and another highlighted the crucial role of certain actors in SFM, including women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples. Another topic on which positions diverged was whether the UNFF should commit to making the Forest Pavilion a recurring event at UNFCCC COPs.

In the afternoon, parties held technical discussions on the communication and outreach strategy of the Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF). Many members commended the International Day of Forest celebrations, highlighting their important role in raising awareness and promoting direct action for forest conservation and restoration. Parties also discussed the Forest Pavilion. Some cautioned the UNFF Secretariat against taking on unfunded initiatives when facing financial constraints, while others stressed the importance of having a “forest presence” at COPs to promote forests as a nature-based climate solution.

An afternoon panel discussed valuing forest ecosystems in national policy and strategies. Topics included: the experience of countries in conducting ecosystem services valuation and integrating them into national accounting systems; experiences and lessons learned in implementing market-based mechanisms; issues, challenges, and barriers to valuing ecosystem services and incorporating them into national accounting systems; and the support and assistance countries require from the Forum and international development partners.