Highlights and images for 15 May 2026

The final day of the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21) focused on approving the draft omnibus resolution setting the Forum’s marching orders for the 2027-2028 biennium.

After rebuffing an attempt by the European Union to negotiate last-minute changes to the compromise draft text crafted by the Bureau, the Forum approved the resolution, covering:

• country-led initiatives;
• enhanced cooperation with partners;
• communication and outreach;
• monitoring, assessment, and reporting;
• interlinkages of the Global Forest Goals and major global forest-related developments;
• means of implementation;
• initial discussion on the final review of the International Arrangement on Forests; and
• resourcing of the UNFF and its secretariat.

UNFF21 Chair Ismail Belen (Türkiye) told members that a concise summary of discussions at UNFF21 regarding input to the 2027 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be prepared by the Bureau and shared with members by email. He explained members will have a week to submit observations before the Bureau forwards the input to the HLPF.

The Forum also approved the dates, venue, and provisional agenda of UNFF22.

Following the adoption of the report of the session and closing remarks, UNFF21 was adjourned at 11:47 am.

UNFF22 was briefly convened to elect the new Bureau members by acclamation, with Ankhbayar Nyamdorj (Mongolia), nominated by the Asian and Pacific States, as Chair of UNFF22 and UNFF23. UNFF22 was suspended at 12:06 pm.