Highlights and images for 11 May 2026

"We know what works. What we lack is policy alignment, investments, and implementation."

During the first day of the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21), delegates kept returning to the theme that while some progress has been made toward realizing the Global Forest Goals (GFGs), more needs to be done and much of it has to do with implementation.

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The Forum heard presentations on the just-released Global Forest Goals Report 2026, which found that:

• investments in forest restoration, reforestation, and sustainable forest management (SFM) are significant and global forest carbon stock has increased, but forest area has declined by 40 million hectares over ten years as drought, wildfires, and pests are increasing;
• global finance for SFM in 2023 was USD 84 billion but USD 300 billion is needed annually; and
• countries’ progress in strengthening laws, institutions, and monitoring systems is undermined by fragmentation, weak enforcement, and illegal logging.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination Bjørg Sandkjær cited the report’s priority areas for accelerated action:

• halting deforestation and reversing forest loss;
• closing the financing gap for SFM;
• strengthening forest governance and law enforcement;
• expanding restoration and resilience-building efforts; and
• enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and partnerships.

UNFF Secretariat Director Juliette Biao highlighted achievements beyond the GFGs Report since UNFF20 in 2025, including:

• the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution launching the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027-2036);
• several country-led initiatives (CLIs) that have led from dialogue to solutions;
• strengthened knowledge exchange, particularly through the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF);
• reinforced policy coherence across the system; and
• improved communications and outreach, through a revamped website and enhanced digital engagement.

Morocco presented on its CLI on SFM, Türkiye on its CLI on forest fire preparedness and innovative technologies, and Austria on its CLI on Advancing Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches. While many praised these CLIs and urged including follow-up in the UNFF omnibus resolution, members debated whether to limit the number of CLIs convened between UNFF sessions.

The Forum also discussed the contributions of the CPF. Members expressed appreciation for the Partnership and encouraged CPF members to continue mobilizing resources and technical assistance.