Summary report, 11–15 May 2026

“Forests are a test of our ability to deliver on promises of multilateralism,” UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President Lok Bahadur Thapa stressed at the opening of the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21).

The Secretariat presented their new report on the status of the Global Forest Goals, which they encapsulated by explaining that while things are “moving in the right direction,” they are not moving at the scale and velocity needed to achieve the Goals by the 2030 deadline. The challenge for delegates at UNFF21 was to consider what existing forest-related actions and developments to build on and what new ones to endorse for the next biennium (2027–2028), while bearing in mind the added complexities of current geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and resource constraints.

The main output of the meeting, the omnibus resolution adopted by the Forum, offers a list of actions going forward for UNFF members, the UNFF Secretariat, and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF). The resolution suggests actions on:

• the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2015–2030;
• the UNSPF communication and outreach strategy;
• monitoring, assessment, and reporting (MAR);
• involvement of regional and subregional partners, and Major Groups and other relevant stakeholders;
• preparations for the final review of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF) in 2030; and
• resourcing of the UNFF and its Secretariat.

This last point proved particularly tricky, since the IAF Mid-Term Review conducted in 2024 added more tasks to the UNFF mandate, yet voluntary contributions to the UNFF Trust Fund, an important source of funding for the Secretariat’s work in the past, have fallen since 2024, at the same time the UN Secretariat is making across-the-board budget and staff cuts.

UNFF21 was held from 11–15 May 2026 at UN Headquarters in New York, with about 400 attendees from governments, UN system bodies, other intergovernmental organizations, as well as representatives from Major Groups and other stakeholders.

A Brief History of UNFF

The UNFF was established in 2000, following a five-year period of forest policy dialogue within the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests. In October 2000 ECOSOC, in its resolution 2000/35, established the IAF, including the UNFF as a subsidiary body of ECOSOC, with the main objective of promoting the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.

The UNFF’s principal functions are to:

• facilitate the implementation of forest-related agreements and foster a common understanding of sustainable forest management (SFM);
• provide for continued policy development and dialogue among governments, international organizations, and Major Groups, as well as addressing forest issues and emerging areas of concern in a holistic, comprehensive, and integrated manner;
• enhance policy and programme coordination on forest-related issues;
• foster international cooperation and monitor, assess, and report on progress; and
• strengthen political commitment to the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.

The UNFF organizational session, held in February 2001 at UN Headquarters in New York, agreed that the UNFF Secretariat would be located in New York. Except for the third and fourth sessions, all sessions of the UNFF have been held at UN Headquarters. The IAF also includes the CPF, a partnership of 16 major forest-related international organizations, institutions, and convention secretariats.

Key Turning Points

UNFF5: UNFF5 (May 2005) agreed to four Global Forest Goals (GFGs) on:

• significantly increasing the area of protected forests and sustainably managed forests worldwide;
• reversing the decline in official development assistance (ODA) for SFM;
• reversing the loss of forest cover; and
• enhancing forest-based economic, social, and environmental benefits.

They also agreed in principle to negotiate, at a future date, terms of reference for a voluntary code or international understanding on forests and on means of implementation.

UNFF6: UNFF6 (February 2006) generated a negotiating text containing new language on the function of the IAF, a commitment to convene UNFF biennially after 2007, and a request that UNFF7 adopt a non-legally binding instrument on all types of forests. UNFF6 also finalized the four GFGs, to:

• reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide through SFM, including through protection, restoration, afforestation, and reforestation;
• enhance forest-based economic, social, and environmental benefits, and the contribution of forests to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals;
• increase the area of protected forests worldwide and other areas of sustainably managed forests significantly; and
• reverse the decline in ODA for SFM and mobilize significantly increased new and additional financial resources from all sources for the implementation of SFM.

UNFF7: UNFF7 (April 2007) adopted the non-legally binding instrument and a Multi-Year Programme of Work for the period 2007–2015. Delegates agreed that a “voluntary global financial mechanism/portfolio approach/forest-financing framework for all types of forests” would be developed and considered, with a view to its adoption at UNFF8.

UNFF9: UNFF9 (January-February 2011) launched the International Year of Forests 2011. The Forum adopted a resolution on forests for people, livelihoods, and poverty eradication, which addressed, inter alia: procedures for assessment of progress; increased regional and subregional cooperation; enhanced cooperation, including with Major Groups; and means of implementation for SFM, including an ad hoc expert group process on forest financing.

UNFF11: UNFF11 (May 2015) forwarded a resolution to ECOSOC recommending, inter alia, to:

• rename the non-legally binding instrument the “UN Forest Instrument”;
• strengthen and extend the IAF to 2030;
• decide that the IAF comprises the UNFF and its Member States, the Secretariat of the Forum, the CPF, the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN), and the UNFF Trust Fund;
• set clear priorities for the GFFFN in a new strategic plan, later officially named the United Nations Strategic Plan on Forests (UNSPF); and
• convene an ad hoc expert group to develop proposals to replace the reference to the Millennium Development Goals in the UN Forest Instrument with appropriate reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets, the UNSPF, and the Quadrennial Programme of Work (4POW) for the period 2017–2020.

UNFF11 also agreed on a new format for the Forum: sessions would take place for one week annually, based on two-year thematic cycles, with the first year comprising discussions on implementation and technical advice and the second focusing on policy dialogue, development, and decision making.

ECOSOC approved the UNFF11 recommendations in its resolution 2015/33, and the UN General Assembly (UNGA) gave effect to the changes recommended by ECOSOC on 22 December 2015 in resolution 70/199.

Recent Meetings

UNFF12: UNFF12 (May 2017) was the first session to be held under the new format. UNFF12 adopted an omnibus resolution covering MAR, means of implementation and enhanced cooperation, coordination, engagement on forest-related issues, and contributions to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The resolution, inter alia:

• requested the Secretariat to revise the format for voluntary national reporting on UNSPF implementation;
• adopted guidelines for country-led initiatives (CLIs) in support of the Forum; and
• requested the Secretariat, with the CPF, to prepare a report on actions to accelerate progress in achieving SDG 15 (life on land) and forest-related targets, and a background study on the contribution of forests to other SDGs.

UNFF13: UNFF13 (May 2018) forwarded a resolution to ECOSOC which, inter alia:

• adopted a communication and outreach strategy;
• decided UNFF would consider the results of the first round of voluntary national reporting at UNFF15; and
• requested the UNFF Secretariat to initiate development of the GFFFN’s online clearing house mechanism.

UNFF15: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with ECOSOC resolution E/2020/L.8, the Forum’s 2020 session took place virtually. UNFF15 adopted an omnibus resolution on:

• implementation of the UNSPF;
• MAR;
• means of implementation;
• emerging issues and challenges;
• the 4POW for the period 2021–2024; and
• information on UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) reform pertaining to the Forum.

UNFF17: UNFF17 (May 2022) adopted an omnibus resolution on: implementation of the UNSPF; means of implementation; MAR; and preparations for the 2024 Midterm Review (MTR) of the effectiveness of the IAF.

UNFF19: UNFF19 (May 2024) adopted an omnibus resolution that included the MTR of the effectiveness of the IAF and set a mandate for future actions by the UNFF and its stakeholders, including: the CPF, the GFFFN, and the UNFF Trust Fund. It also adopted a high-level commitment reaffirming the UNSPF as a global framework for action at all levels.

UNFF21 Report

On Monday, 11 May, UNFF21 Chair Ismail Belen (Türkiye) opened the meeting, reminding delegates that the Forum had elected the Bureau in May 2024. The US, Australia, on behalf of AUSTRALIA and CANADA, ISRAEL, and ARGENTINA dissociated themselves from the election of Iran as Vice-Chair, citing geopolitical concerns. IRAN recalled that the 2024 decision was by consensus.

The provisional agenda (E/CN.18/2026/1) was adopted without amendment.

Opening Statements: UNFF21 Chair Belen underscored the UNFF’s importance as the only global forum gathering all nations and stakeholders for policy dialogue and shared action on all types of forests. He invoked Member States’ shared responsibility to support the UNFF Secretariat.

ECOSOC President Lok Bahadur Thapa (Nepal) said forests are essential to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and listed the ways forests contribute to various SDGs. “We know the solutions, we know what is needed: SFM, restoration at scale, and investment. The challenge is implementation.”

UNGA President Annalena Baerbock (Germany) underlined the need to incorporate SFM when designing international trade agreements, drawing attention to the recent European Union (EU)-Mercosur agreement that includes the Paris Agreement as an essential clause and supports extensive labeling for sustainable trade.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination Bjørg Sandkjær lamented uneven and insufficient progress towards achieving the SDGs, stressing that forests are indispensable assets for sustainable development. She noted the UNGA-approved UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036) is an opportunity to scale up action and reverse forest loss worldwide.

Presentation of the Global Forests Goals Report 2026

On Monday, Sandkjær presented the Global Forests Goals Report 2026. She said the report found progress on SFM, but deforestation and forest degradation continue. Sandkjær cited the report’s call for accelerated action on:

• 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.

Juliette Biao, Director, UNFF Secretariat, summarized the report’s conclusions, including that:

• investments in forest restoration, reforestation, and SFM are significant and global forest carbon stocks have increased, but forest area has declined by 40 million hectares over ten years, with increasing drought, wildfires, and pests;
• 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.

She called for speed, scale, and sustained commitment through leadership, partnerships, policies, and political will.

Policy Discussions on the Implementation of the UNSPF 2017–2030

On Monday, the UNFF Secretariat introduced the document (E/CN.18/2026/2) on policy discussions on activities in support of the thematic priorities for the biennium 2025–2026 for the implementation of the UNSPF 2017–2030.

Secretariat’s Overview of Achievements and Challenges: Director Biao highlighted achievements since UNFF20, among others:

• the adoption by the UNGA of a resolution launching the UN Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036);
• CLIs that have led from dialogue to solutions;
• the GFGs Report;
• strengthened knowledge exchange, particularly through the CPF;
• reinforced policy coherence across the system; and
• improved communications and outreach, through a revamped website and enhanced digital engagement.

General Discussion: The Forum then heard general statements on the UNSPF. Many of the statements focused on national forestry developments, but others addressed issues due to be discussed during the week’s negotiations, including:

• establishing a voluntary regional forest fire preparedness and technology transfer mechanism under the IAF;
• calls for the omnibus resolution to welcome progress in implementing the MTR of the IAF;
• calls for more streamlined access to the GFFFN; and
• strengthening the UNFF Secretariat’s capacity in preparation for final review of the IAF in 2030.

Contributions of Members of the Forum to Implementing the UNSPF: On Monday, Chair Belen opened this agenda item and delegates outlined their CLIs.

MOROCCO reported on its June 2025 event on SFM in community-based forest management, technology and innovation, and sustainable forest financing.

TÜRKIYE reported on its CLI on forest fire preparedness and innovative technologies in Istanbul in October 2025. They invited participants to join discussions on integrated fire management at the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2026.

AUSTRIA reported on the Global Summit on Advancing Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches in Vienna in February 2026 and the Vienna Action Plan calling for: ensuring inclusive, people-centered, and rights-based bioeconomy; and creating enabling conditions for value chains and innovation.

In the subsequent discussion, AUSTRALIA supported including text acknowledging the Summit’s outcomes in the omnibus resolution. MEXICO supported a proposal to limit CLIs to one per intersessional period to optimize resources and facilitate follow-up.

The CONGO called for finalizing a global strategy on afforestation and reforestation. INDONESIA highlighted continuing prioritization of community-based SFM, inclusive forest governance, and its strengthened export licensing system.

BRAZIL noted the Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience omnibus resolution launched at UNFCCC COP 30. The UK supported the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Global Fire Management Hub as the UN’s central coordinating platform.

SOUTH AFRICA urged collaboration and integrated forest management for achieving the GFGs. CANADA supported referencing the CLI outcomes in the UNFF21 resolution.

The EU supported continuing to give forests a high profile at UNFCCC COPs. MEXICO noted its technical cooperation with the US and Canada, calling for increasing technical coordination on forests and contributions to the UNFF’s Trust Fund.

The UK called for forests to be featured prominently in all three Rio Conventions’ processes. TOGO called for better integration of GFGs into regional strategies and action plans.

The CONGO said achieving the GFGs requires international cooperation based on solidarity, policy coherence, and technology transfer. JAMAICA emphasized improving access to finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer.

CHINA drew attention to their Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic initiative. The INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN) pointed to its Programme 2026–2029, highlighting: primary and old-growth forest protection; scaling up forest landscape restoration; and integrating biodiversity and climate action.

The RUSSIAN FEDERATION highlighted a doubling of national financing on forest firefighting. SWITZERLAND recommended encouraging countries to host CLIs, subject to available financial resources. Director Biao clarified that, according to existing guidelines, countries organizing a CLI finance Secretariat participation. NEW ZEALAND cautioned against limiting the number of CLIs per year.

GHANA announced their updated voluntary national contribution, aiming to reduce emissions from deforestation and land degradation. The ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES stressed West African forest losses of 80% over the past century.

The WOMEN’S MAJOR GROUP emphasized recognizing rural women as essential actors in ecosystem protection, calling for mandatory quotas for participation of women in governance of community-based forest management. The NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MAJOR GROUP called for incorporating certification as a tool to address GFGs. The SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY MAJOR GROUP lamented insufficient political coordination, calling for enhanced policy and legal approaches and inclusiveness in decision-making.

Contributions of and Enhanced Cooperation with Partners to Achieving the Thematic Priorities: The Secretariat introduced the document (E/CN.18/2026/3), explaining it includes the assessment of CPF joint initiatives and consideration of options to further strengthen collaboration within the Partnership.

CPF Chair Zhimin Wu, Director, Forestry Division, FAO, said recovery of forests is compromised under current climate change trajectories, stressing the need for global commitments to accelerate action and CPF activities on scaling finance, forest monitoring, inclusive forest management, capacity-building, and enhancing global forest-related indicators.

Members thanked the CPF. MALAYSIA encouraged CPF members to continue mobilizing resources and technical assistance.

FOREST EUROPE highlighted the State of Europe’s Forests 2025 report.

The FARMERS MAJOR GROUP reported on Major Group participation in the CPF forest pavilion at UNFCCC COP 30 and a September 2025 CPF-supported global webinar on the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Forest Programme.

Interlinkages between the GFGs and Targets and the SDGs Under Review by the HLPF in 2025 and 2026, the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, the CBD and the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), including the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme, and other International Forest-related Developments: On Tuesday, Vice-Chair Andrés Napuri Pita (Peru) opened this agenda item.

Lotta Tähtinen, DESA, highlighted UNFF’s planned contributions to the HLPF review of SDG implementation in 2026 and 2027.

BRAZIL invited contributions for advancing the COP 30 Presidency Roadmap for Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030, to be launched at the UNGA in September 2026. The EU suggested the omnibus resolution thank Brazil for the COP 30 Presidency Roadmap. NORWAY and SWITZERLAND encouraged continued consultations and engagement to make the Roadmap as useful as possible.

Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Forest Economy, CONGO, presented on the 2027–2036 Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation.

CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker called for synergistic implementation of UNSPF and the GBF, including on: monitoring and evaluation; supporting the custodians of forest biodiversity; and addressing harmful incentives.

The FAO drew attention to the upcoming Global Report on the Contribution of Forests to Food Security and Nutrition.

The UNFCCC stressed potential for synergies between forests and climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, combating desertification, and sustainable development.

COLOMBIA, echoed by PERU, called for concrete synergies between the GFGs and other goals. LEBANON underlined SFM’s importance to the GFGs and the SDGs. MEXICO and the UK supported integrated approaches to achieve goals across multilateral environmental agreements.

MAJOR GROUPS emphasized stronger recognition of the UNFF and CPF within the UNFCCC. JAMAICA called for streamlining reporting across international processes and integrating biodiversity and land degradation-related financing mechanisms. INDIA emphasized enhanced coordination across international frameworks.

The INTERNATIONAL UNION OF FOREST RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS (IUFRO) highlighted that the concept of “bioeconomy” shows strong interlinkages with the GFGs and the SDGs, cautioning that different interpretations of the concept can support or hinder these goals.

PORTUGAL called for a coordinated international response on wildfires, storms, and forest pests. BRAZIL highlighted the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), calling for integrated fire management and wildlife resilience. The REPUBLIC OF KOREA announced a high-level dialogue on forest fire management at the 28th session of the FAO Committee on Forestry in September 2026.

The GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) underlined their support for forest conservation with USD 6 billion invested in SFM across 172 countries since 1991, saying USD 1.8 billion in forest-related grants during the GEF-8 cycle leveraged USD 15 billion in co-financing.

INDONESIA highlighted mangroves as a key nexus for climate, biodiversity, and sustainability priorities.

The UN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) called for integrated national and subnational actions to tackle underlying drivers across agriculture, land use governance, and finance.

Implementation of the UNSPF Communication and Outreach Strategy and the International Day of Forests (IDF) 2026: Vice-Chair Napuri Pita opened this agenda item on Tuesday. The UNFF Secretariat gave an overview of their work to expand the reach of, and amplify, forest messages across platforms and audiences (E/CN.18/2026/2), highlighting: redesign of the UNFF Clearing House website; adoption of icons developed for the GFGs; and the 2026 IDF on the theme of Forests and Economies.

Many stressed the importance of the IDF in raising public awareness for SFM. Delegates commended the Secretariat for its outreach activities, including participating in the forest pavilion at UNFCCC COP 30 and launching the new website.

The EU suggested exploring synergies with other pavilions. CANADA supported the proposal for future forest pavilions but, with the UK, cautioned against institutionalizing it in the current fiscal climate.

CZECHIA drew attention to the European Policy Platform on sustainable wood use (WoodPop). MALAYSIA highlighted the Greening Asia Campaign 2021–2025, while the REPUBLIC OF KOREA proposed a UN-led day for sustainable wood. CHINA requested materials in all UN languages in the future. CONGO suggested a more balanced communication policy that also promotes forest protection.

Members outlined their national outreach efforts and events.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) announced the 2027 IDF theme as: Growing Forests for a Sustainable Future: Advancing Afforestation and Reforestation.

Means of Implementation, including Operations and Resources of the GFFFN: Vice-Chair Napuri Pita opened this agenda item on Tuesday. The UNFF Secretariat outlined their note (E/CN.18/2026/4). He noted the GFFFN has supported 39 countries since 2015.

UNFF Secretariat Director Juliette Biao presented information on the proposed GFFFN office in Beijing, China. She highlighted that the head of the office will work directly under the UNFF Secretariat, and there will be no UNFF budget implications associated with the office. She explained an advisory board comprised of UNFF members will be established once negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding are concluded.

GUYANA, PERU, and IRAN urged that stronger interlinkages between international forest-related organizations and processes be accompanied by equally strong means of implementation.

Numerous countries expressed continuing support for the GFFFN’s proposed Beijing office. NEW ZEALAND lamented, with SWITZERLAND and the RUSSIAN FEDERATION, continued delays in concluding the negotiations. CHINA noted six formal rounds of negotiations since 2013.

MEXICO, with SOUTH AFRICA, called for increasing innovative financing mechanisms and, with BRAZIL, including private capital. MALAYSIA underscored ecological fiscal transfers and hybrid capacity-building platforms. BRAZIL, with SOUTH AFRICA, called for demand-driven support and, with the CONGO, rewarding tropical forest countries for conservation.

The UK called for accessible financing for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, cautioning about UN80 reform implications for Clearing House enhancement. SWITZERLAND requested an update on Clearing House enhancement.

INDIA stressed the GFFFN’s role in accessing digital tools, innovative approaches, and technology-enabled systems.

CONGO called for simplified access to funding for bankable projects and an operational role for the GFFFN.

The RUSSIAN FEDERATION stressed that GFFFN financing through the Trust Fund should remain voluntary. The EU noted financial resources must come from all sources and stressed the need for relevant organizations to collaborate on resource mobilization to avoid duplication. COLOMBIA emphasized predictable, adequate, and sustainable means of implementation.

Director Biao noted that many of the Secretariat’s activities are not currently funded through regular budget resources but rather through voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund. She outlined a severe lack of resources.

Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting: Vice-Chair Javad Momeni (Iran) opened this agenda item on Tuesday. The Secretariat introduced a document (E/CN.18/2026/5), outlining: the voluntary national report (VNR) cycle for 2024–2026; preparation of the GFGs Report 2026; and an update on the global core set of forest-related indicators. She noted that 48 VNRs were received, four less than in the previous cycle.

Many members expressed appreciation for the report, the efforts of the Advisory Group on Reporting in improving the online format and platform, streamlining efforts, and the capacity-building efforts of the UNFF Secretariat and CPF. GUYANA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, CHINA, BRAZIL, and INDIA urged more work on harmonizing and rationalizing national reporting on forest matters to reduce the reporting burden on developing countries and avoid overlap and duplication.

AUSTRALIA expressed concern about the decline in VNRs and supported the Secretariat’s recommendation that the omnibus resolution request the Secretariat and CPF to continue enhancing the reporting capacity of Forum members.

Many members also expressed appreciation for the CPF’s work on the indicators. The EU, with CANADA, said finalization of the indicators should maximize efficiency and effectiveness while minimizing overlap and duplication of work.

The EU and REPUBLIC OF KOREA expressed appreciation for the GFGs Report 2026.

Initial Discussions on the Final Review of the Effectiveness of the IAF in Achieving its Objectives: Vice-Chair Momeni opened this agenda item on Tuesday. The EU said the omnibus resolution should encourage a participatory process and facilitate engagement of all stakeholders. GUYANA urged consideration of results-based payments and financing as part of the review.

The UK, with the FAO for the CPF, prioritized delivery in a resource-constrained environment. MALAYSIA recommended an enhanced framework similar to those of the CBD and UNFCCC.

VIET NAM underscored synergy and coherence in international responses to global forest-related challenges, alongside sustainable resources for the Secretariat. AUSTRALIA urged a focused, streamlined approach and, with INDIA, supported an intersessional process with structured, accessible preparations.

CHINA queried the review’s timeline, expert team composition, and indicators. The PHILIPPINES called for a forward-looking review to strengthen forest governance beyond 2030.

Emphasizing the UNFF’s role as a universal intergovernmental process, BRAZIL urged consideration of all options for IAF support.

The FAO, for the CPF, committed to collaboration and adaptation, recommending review of performance, strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and “future beyond 2030.”

Director Biao said the process is evolving to address ongoing UN reform.

Trust Fund for the UNFF

Vice-Chair Momeni opened this agenda item on Tuesday. The UNFF Secretariat introduced the document (E/CN.18/2026/6), outlining Trust Fund contributions and expenditures. She explained that it shows reductions of: 53% in voluntary contributions in 2025; and, owing to the UN80 reform initiative, 15% in the regular budget and 19% in staffing costs.

Director Biao outlined the gap between available resources and responsibilities of the Secretariat, calling for significantly increasing the resources of the Fund.

The Secretariat proposed to: invite members to shift to multi-year voluntary contributions; consider the proposals contained in the information paper on the Secretariat’s needs and gaps; and encourage dedicated funding for travel of developing country representatives.

The EU called for broadening the donor base and monitoring the link between allocated resources and their impact. BRAZIL stressed that voluntary contributions are not a sustainable solution for the Secretariat’s permanent mandates. JAMAICA supported the call for multi-year contributions and dedicated funding for travel.

Date, Venue and Provisional Agenda for UNFF22

On Friday, UNFF21 adopted the decisions on the provisional agenda, and on the dates and venue for UNFF22, contained in documents E/CN.18/2026/L.2 and L.3, respectively. The provisional UNFF22 agenda includes:

• progress in the implementation of the outcomes of the MTR of the IAF;
• contributions of members of the Forum to implementing the UNSPF 2017–2030;
• contributions of and enhanced cooperation with partners towards achieving the thematic priorities;
• interlinkages of GFGs and major global forest-related developments;
• implementation of the communication and outreach strategy;
• means of implementation, including the GFFFN;
• monitoring, assessment and reporting; and
• emerging issues.

Omnibus Resolution

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Forum undertook informal consultations on the draft omnibus resolution presented by the Bureau.

The principal points of contention over the two days of talks involved four paragraphs—two in the resolution’s section on interlinkages of the GFGs and major global forest-related developments, and two on means of implementation. When these four paragraphs received so many proposed amendments during the informal negotiations that they could not all be seen on the overhead screen at one time, Vice Chair Momeni referred the main proponents to a closed small group co-facilitated by Brazil and the EU that met Thursday afternoon to hammer out compromises.

In the interlinkages paragraph on deforestation and forest degradation, the issues under dispute were whether to:

• qualify everything with the phrase “taking into account the national circumstances, priorities, policies and capabilities,” with developing countries wanting to add it and developed countries to omit it;
• refer to forest degradation at all, given the lack of an agreed international definition;
• reference the UNFCCC COP 30 Presidency initiative to advance the Roadmap on Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030; and
• specify that action must be done in ways that are consistent with World Trade Organization rules.

The second draft interlinkages paragraph, which would have welcomed the UNFCCC COP 30 Action Agenda, such as the global initiative on productive forests, was opposed by a regional group and a developing country.

As for the means of implementation paragraphs sent to the group, one originally recognized the need to strengthen the provision and mobilization of and access to new, predictable and additional resources. Some developing countries wanted to qualify the need as “urgent.” A regional group and several other countries wanted to specify that financing should come “from all sources at all levels.”  A regional group, opposed by a developing country, also sought to stress the “central role of national policies, domestic resources and development strategies” in financing. Delegates also debated how strongly to welcome the TFFF and urge donors and developing tropical countries to engage with it.

The second means of implementation paragraph involved longstanding disputes about collaboration with, and protection of, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, people of African Descent, or other stakeholders, and on what topics, like conservation, restoration, or bioeconomy.

In the end, the small group was unable to finalize these four paragraphs and instead produced different versions of each for the Bureau to consider and merge when finalizing the omnibus resolution.

Other issues dealt with during the two days of negotiations included:

• follow-up to the three CLIs held since UNFF20;
• whether to qualify how many CLIs should be held between UNFF sessions, due to resource constraints on the UNFF Secretariat;
• how to reverse the reduction in VNRs submitted;
• whether to refer to “reducing” or “streamlining” forest-related reporting burdens that countries confront for the various international forest-related processes;
• whether to encourage forest pavilions at COPs;
• whether to invite countries to provide a national roadmap to implement the UN Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation 2027–2036;
• how to call for ensuring adequate resources for the UNFF Secretariat to realize its mandate without conflicting with the UN80 initiative;
• technology transfer terms; and
• whether to call for opening discussions about the IAF final review at UNFF22 in 2027 rather than wait until UNFF23 in 2028.

 On Thursday evening, the Bureau considered the input from the full informal sessions and the small group, chose compromises usually based on previously agreed language, and finalized the resolution.

On Friday morning, Chair Belen introduced the “final draft” omnibus resolution crafted by the Bureau, noting it has no budgetary implications. He invited delegates to adopt the revised text as presented.

The EU raised several “outstanding issues” in the draft, calling for:

• deleting “policies” from inviting Forum members to take account of “national circumstances, priorities, policies, and capabilities” in a paragraph on contributing to initiatives including the UNFCCC COP 30 Presidency’s Roadmap on Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030;
• replacing “productive” with “sustainably managed” forests, deleting “family farming” from a list of forest-related approaches, and highlighting their role in “advancing the GFGs, the UNSPF, and the 2030 Agenda;”
• moving “at all levels” from referring only to “scientific exchange” to refer to new and additional financing more generally; and
• noting that technology transfer should be on “voluntary and” mutually agreed terms.

BRAZIL, COLOMBIA, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, MOROCCO, PERU, MEXICO, INDONESIA, IRAN, SOUTH AFRICA, UK, and MALAYSIA all voiced strong support for the drafted text, citing its delicate balance of views, and urged members not to reopen it for discussion.

The EU eventually withdrew their objection, and the Forum adopted the omnibus resolution without amendments.

Following the adoption, ARGENTINA expressed disagreement with a paragraph encouraging the Secretariat to “explore options for making use of relevant, as well as nationally validated sources of forest data,” stressing that the Forum should only use UN sources.

Expressing hope that plans will be translated into on-the-ground activities in the future, CHINA called for strengthening the Secretariat’s capacity during the UN80 initiative.

The EU stressed, among other things, their disagreement with mentioning the “important role” of productive forests and family farming in the text, noting that expansion of agricultural land remains the main driver of deforestation. In closing, they emphasized that the affected paragraphs should not be considered a precedent for this or other international fora.

BRAZIL noted they would have preferred the resolution to state that technology transfer should happen with the most favorable terms for those who need it.

INDONESIA stressed their preference for stronger language on funding commitments.

Final Resolution: As adopted on Friday morning, the resolution (E/CN.18/2026/L.1) is divided into sections on: CLIs; enhanced cooperation with partners; communication and outreach; monitoring, assessment, and reporting; interlinkages of GFGs and major global forest-related developments; means of implementation; initial discussion on the IAF final review; and resourcing of the UNFF and its Secretariat.

CLIs: The resolution welcomes CLIs organized by Morocco, Türkiye, and Austria since UNFF20, and:

• encourages Forum members and CPF member organizations to promote technical and technological collaboration, including technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, the use of innovative technologies for SFM, exchange of best practices, knowledge, and expertise, as well as capacity-building activities, and promote engagement of all relevant stakeholders in SFM activities to advance the achievement of the GFGs;
• invites Forum members and CPF member organizations to support the existing initiatives, in particular the Global Fire Management Hub, and stresses the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation on integrated fire management and effective wildfire risk reduction; and
• invites Forum members, CPF member organizations, regional and subregional organizations and processes, Major Groups, research and academic institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to consider the implementation of the Vienna Call for Action, with a view to advancing sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches, in line with SFM.

Enhanced Cooperation with Partners: The resolution welcomes the progress made in implementing the UNSPF and invites:

• the CPF and its member organizations to take concrete steps to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the GFGs by 2030 and to report progress at UNFF22;
• regional and subregional forest-related partners to consider integrating the UNSPF and incorporating the GFGs into their workplans; and
• Major Groups and other stakeholders to provide a progress report on their activities at UNFF22.

The resolution also encourages Forum members to support enhancing the capacity of Major Groups and other relevant stakeholders.

Communication and Outreach: The resolution:

• welcomes the communication and outreach activities carried out to raise awareness of the significance of forests, GFGs, and SFM; and
• encourages effective engagement in celebrating the IDF.

Monitoring, Assessment, and Reporting: The resolution invites all members to submit their VNRs to the next and final cycle of reporting to the Forum to contribute to the 2030 final review of implementation of the UNSPF. It also requests the Secretariat, among others, to:

• make proposals for improving the quantity and quality of the VNRs to the next cycle, for discussion at UNFF22; and
• continue enhancing the reporting capacity of Forum members, including through the organization of workshops and other capacity-building activities, and further streamline forest-related reporting to relevant intergovernmental organizations and processes.

Interlinkages of GFGs and Major Global Forest-related Developments: The resolution invites Forum members to:

• accelerate implementing the UNSPF and achieving its GFGs, including through the announcement of voluntary national contributions, and the integration of the UNSPF and its GFGs in their national forest-related policies;
• contribute to global initiatives in the context of multilateral environmental agreements to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, including the UNFCCC COP 30 Presidency’s initiative to advance the Roadmap on Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030; and
• consider taking concrete steps, as appropriate, to actively support the implementation of the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation.

It also encourages interested UNFF members, CPF member organizations, as well as Major Groups and other relevant stakeholders, subject to the availability of extrabudgetary resources, to consider organization of a Forest Pavilion at the UNFCCC COPs, as well as forest-related events during the CBD and UNCCD COPs.

Means of Implementation: The resolution recognizes the urgent need to advance the situation on means of implementation, including new and additional financing from all sources for reversing the loss of forest cover, protecting and conserving forests, halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation, restoring degraded forests, enhancing capacity-building, technological collaboration, sharing best practices, and scientific exchange.

It also encourages countries in a position to do so to invest in the TFFF and invites all Forum members, particularly developing tropical forest countries, to engage with it, as appropriate and in accordance with their national circumstances.

The resolution also:

• invites the Forum to strengthen collaboration across sectors and facilitate partnerships to promote sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches and restoration of forest ecosystems, including through building capacities of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and people of African descent, where applicable; and
• requests that in the context of the preparations for the 2030 IAF final review, the Forum Secretariat, in collaboration with the CPF member organizations, propose possible options for enhancing access to data, information, and possible modalities for an enhanced information-sharing platform.

Initial Discussion on the IAF Final Review: The resolution invites the Bureau to hold regular virtual informal consultations and brainstorming with Forum members, CPF member organizations, UNFF regional and subregional partners, and Major Groups and other stakeholders during the period between UNFF21 and UNF22 to explore, inter alia, the type of activities, events, thematic priorities, cooperation modalities and background documents required for the IAF final review.

It also requests the Secretariat to:

• propose a plan for transparent, timely, inclusive and evidence-based activities for the IAF final review, for consideration and decision at UNFF23; and
• provide an update on progress in the above-mentioned intersessional informal consultation for discussion at UNFF22.

Resourcing of the UNFF and its Secretariat: The resolution recommends that the UNGA ensure the provision of adequate, stable and predictable resources, commensurate with the Forum’s mandate and workload of the Secretariat; and invites Forum members and others in a position to do so to consider contributing to the Forum Trust Fund.

Input from UNFF21 to the 2027 HLPF

On Friday, Chair Belen told members that a draft summary of discussions at UNFF21 regarding input to the 2027 session of the HLPF had been prepared by the Bureau and shared with members by email on Thursday evening. He explained members will have a week to submit observations before the input is forwarded to the HLPF.

The draft summary stresses that progress on SDG 15 (life on land) remains critically off track, and the UNFF urges the HLPF to:

• reaffirm the central role of the UNFF, as the global policy body on forests with universal membership, in advancing coherent forest-related contributions to the sustainable development agenda;
• recognize the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation as an opportunity to mobilize accelerated, coordinated and adequately financed action to halt and reverse deforestation;
• build on the UNFCCC COP 30 Presidential Roadmap momentum to halt and reverse deforestation;
• strengthen policy coherence and mutually supportive implementation across the UNSPF and the Rio Conventions;
• promote SFM, increase access to funding for forests from all sources, and strengthen monitoring, reporting, and data systems for forests; and
• promote an inclusive and rights-based approach to forest action through the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth.

Closing Session

On Friday morning, Chair Belen introduced the draft report of UNFF21 (E/CN.18/2026/L.4), explaining that it will be completed by the Rapporteur, Vice-Chair Maria Sokolenko (Russian Federation) to reflect the last portion of the UNFF21 session. The Forum adopted the report, entrusting the Rapporteur to complete it.

The ASIAN FOREST COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (AFoCO) expressed appreciation for the forest pavilion at UNFCCC COP 30. He announced Mongolia will host a similar pavilion at the upcoming UNCCD COP and invited UNFF members to help make it a matching success. He said AFoCO stands ready to work closely with UNFF to achieve the GFGs.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES noted that while they had been invoked many times during UNFF21, they only appear once in the omnibus resolution. They encouraged members and the UNFF Secretariat to support full participation in UNFF processes and meetings by Indigenous People, local communities, women and youth.

In closing remarks, Director Biao said throughout UNFF21 members demonstrated that even in a period of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, environmental crises, and financial constraints, multilateral cooperation on forests continues to deliver. She characterized the omnibus resolution as “a strategic roadmap” for further implementation of the UNSPF and GFGs by 2030 “that reflects both ambition and balance.” She hailed the declaration of the UN Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation as a strong political signal but cautioned “ambition alone is not enough; increasing the mandate entrusted to the Forum and its Secretariat must be matched with sufficient resources.” Looking ahead to 2030, she said the question is no longer whether forests matter, but rather “whether we act with the scale, speed and solidarity required by the moment.”

Chair Belen adjourned UNFF21 at 11:48 am.

UNFF22 Report

UNFF21 Chair Belen opened UNFF22 on Friday morning, noting a past decision that the first session of every Forum should be opened briefly after concluding the prior one in order to elect the Bureau. The Chair recalled UNFF resolution 12/2 of 5 May 2017, in which the Forum agreed to elect its officers for a two-year term of office starting at UNFF14, in order to ensure continuity between the policy and technical sessions of the Forum.

Delegates elected by acclamation Ankhbayar Nyamdorj (Mongolia), nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, as Chair of UNFF22 and UNFF23, and Miriam Aba Arhin (Ghana), nominated by the African Group, Maria Sokolenko (Russian Federation), nominated by the Eastern European Group, Emanuel Montenegro Batista Lins (Brazil), nominated by the Latin America and Caribbean Group, and Harald Aalde (Norway), nominated by Western European and Others Group, as Vice-Chairs.

Incoming Chair Nyamdorj took the floor, stating that the urgency of achieving the GFGs continues to grow and will require practical cooperation to scale up action.

AUSTRALIA, CANADA, the UK, and UKRAINE noted their dissociation from the election of the Russian Federation to the position of Vice-Chair.

Outgoing Chair Belen cited an Ottoman poem in Turkish alluding to the work completed by UNFF21, which he assured members will be sure to leave a “pleasant echo.”

UNFF22 was suspended at 12:06 pm.

A Brief Analysis of UNFF21

Although global forest carbon stocks increased between 2015 and 2025, 16 million hectares of primary forests of particular importance for biodiversity were lost. This was one of the findings of the newly-released Global Forest Goals Report 2026 that was introduced on the first day of the 21st session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21), which assessed the world’s progress toward achieving the Global Forest Goals (GFGs). After highlighting some of the report’s main findings, Juliette Biao, Director of the UNFF Secretariat, said that, in a nutshell, “good things are happening, we’re moving in the right direction, but it’s not happening at sufficient scale and velocity.”

As delegates grappled with ambitious—and increasing—mandates for the UNFF and its Secretariat that emanated from the 2024 Mid-term Review of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF), and balancing these with the increasingly constrained resources, some wondered if scale and velocity can be achieved in time to realize even part of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) by its 2030 deadline.

This brief analysis examines the challenges that were visible at UNFF21 and some of the questions that are emerging as UNFF members began to plan for the final review of the IAF in 2030. 

As Things Stand

While the GFGs Report brought good news of significant investments in forests, increases in global forest carbon stocks, and progress in forest governance and monitoring, according to the UN Environment Programme the investment in sustainable forest management is less than one-third of what is needed annually, weak enforcement and illegal logging continue to undermine forest laws, and, most soberingly, deforestation continues. While the rate of forest loss is lower than just a few years ago, pests, drought, and particularly wildfires are increasing, resulting in an increase in net deforestation.

The very first Goal of the UNSPF is to halt, and then reverse, forest loss worldwide by 2030. However, UNFF members face increasing challenges in achieving this Goal as well as the other five GFGs, including Goal 4 (mobilizing resources). Furthermore, the UNFF, as a global policy platform to strengthen political commitment and coordinated action to achieve these goals, is itself facing challenges that raise questions not only about whether the GFGs can be achieved, but about how effective the UNFF itself can be in advancing the Goals and guiding its members toward their successful achievement.

The task at UNFF21 was to produce an omnibus resolution to address the issues raised in the GFGs Report and lay a foundation for the 2030 review. But the latest GFGs Report was hampered by the fact that less than a quarter of members—four less than during the previous cycle—submitted Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the 2025–2026 biennium. The VNRs are intended to be a central input to the GFGs Report. This lackluster response led many to question if UNFF members actually have monitoring and assessment capacity, not only for forest restoration and reforestation but also for meeting their reporting responsibilities across numerous international forest-related fora.

The question of what the UNFF, the body overseeing the GFG process, can do to help countries meet the Goals looms large, especially in an era of increasing geopolitical and environmental challenges. One area in which the UNFF has sought to provide assistance has been through the establishment and evolution of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN). In 2013, China proposed to establish a GFFFN branch in Beijing and fully cover its costs, which many viewed as a promising development. However, at UNFF21, delegates were informed that a Memorandum of Understanding with China has still not been finalized, due in part to the time the Secretariat needs to negotiate the intricacies of the arrangement when its capacity is severely stretched. 

The UNFF – Leader or Booster?

The UNFF is not limited to providing leadership in formulating global forest policy and assessing progress toward its implementation. It also has had success in promoting and raising awareness of the importance of the world’s forests through numerous communication and outreach activities, which are a key aspect of the Secretariat’s work. This work includes publishing the monthly UNFF newsletter, managing the newly enhanced Forum website, which received general praise at UNFF21, hosting pavilions at the most recent meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and providing support for the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027–2036) and country-led initiatives (CLIs), which bring attention to specific areas of concern. The Forum heard reports of three CLIs held since UNFF20, on community-based forest management, technology and innovation, and sustainable finance for forests by Morocco, on forest fire management by Türkiye, and on advancing sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches by Austria.

Following a proposal by some countries to keep the number of CLIs “manageable” to reduce budget impacts, Director Biao explained that CLIs are funded by their host countries. She noted, however, that the Secretariat’s capacity to provide the support still required is severely limited due to a 53% reduction in voluntary contributions to the UNFF Trust Fund in 2025 as well as cuts to the Secretariat’s allocation from the regular UN budget paid through Member States’ assessed contributions. An attempt to keep the number of CLIs “manageable” for the Secretariat in the resolution was, however, scuttled. Members, it seems, did not want to set a precedent on limiting initiatives.

Extensive discussions were held during the meeting on how to address the funding and capacity issues. While the debates largely mirrored similar discussions in other international processes regarding the sources and type of funding, all Forum members at least paid lip service to the necessity to fund the Secretariat with enough resources to fulfil its functions, especially in light of the upcoming final review of the effectiveness of the IAF in 2030.

Uncertainties Clouding UNFF’s Future

The precariousness of the UNFF Secretariat’s situation cannot be separated from the precarious position of the UN itself. The UN Secretary-General’s UN80 reform initiative, launched in 2025, produced calls for 20% cuts across the board that have disproportionately impacted the UNFF Secretariat due to its small size. Meanwhile, the UN’s overall financial health has come under more threat, culminating in Secretary-General António Guterres’ warning to all Member States in January 2026 that the UN is in danger of financial collapse. Compounding this is the precipitous drop in voluntary contributions to the UNFF Trust Fund, as reported at UNFF21.

When asked whether more funding could be expected, the general answer behind the scenes from countries expected to contribute was that forests are a low priority. Deforestation is not given the level of attention received by other environmental challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, despite the fact that sustainability of forests is crucial to addressing both of these crises—a point that was repeated throughout the week.

Moreover, delegates repeatedly pointed out privately that with increasing international friction, more countries are diverting resources away from environment and development efforts and towards national security. With the US only appearing at the meeting once during the week, to “dissociate” itself from the election of the UNFF’s Iranian Vice Chair in 2024, their absence as a former active participant and a top donor to the UNFF Trust Fund was on many delegates’ minds.

One participant noted that another reason for lack of funding could be the status of the UNFF as “a talk shop.” There is funding available for forests, including from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), but since the UNFF is not an implementing agency it is not eligible for such funding. In addition, some countries with an interest in contributing to international efforts to sustain forests are finding the Tropical Forest Forever Facility launched at UNFCCC COP 30 a more attractive option; it has already secured USD 6.7 billion in pledges.

The UNFF’s regular budget, including for staffing, comes from UN assessed contributions. Could more funding be forthcoming from that direction? Once again, funding for forests is in competition with issues felt much more urgently by many UN Member States, which affects the allocation of funding.

Many delegates at UNFF21 mentioned in the corridors the need for UNFF to prioritize activities given funding shortfalls, yet there was little attempt to discuss prioritization at the meeting itself. One delegate opined that prioritization would benefit from the Secretariat providing a list of activities desired by Members, juxtaposed with the funding required.

Prioritization may therefore come about “de facto,” if the Secretariat is forced to choose for itself which activities it can reasonably undertake. Alternatively, as one delegate noted, the UNFF may become increasingly dependent on particular countries taking enough interest to fund specific activities, such as a CLI, saying, “Is this any way to run a global body?”

Seeing the Glass Half Full

On the bright side, countries are still engaged, because the work of the UNFF is still relevant. As was emphasized repeatedly throughout the week, UNFF is the only universal membership body focused solely on sustaining all types of forests. The GFGs may not be achieved by 2030. However, the efforts toward achieving them are still worthwhile. Moreover, forests are critical for countering not only the other environmental crises that beset the planet, but also the vast majority of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the land degradation neutrality targets under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. The UNFF, whether as leader or as a promoter in these efforts, still has an important role to play.