(2nd meeting) UN Forum on Forests, 21st session (UNFF21)

Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
I call the order the second meeting of the United Nations Forum on Forests at its 21st session.
Now we will go on our list before proceeding with our program of work for this afternoon, we will continue with the list of speakers from this morning.
States will be limited to only 2 minutes.
Sorry for that, but we would like to hear many of you as soon as possible.
Allow me to follow my list.
I see my list first Peru, Norway, Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya, and Japan.
Allow me to invite the representative of Peru.
Chair my delegation wishes to thank the chair and the Secretariat of the forum, the United Nations Forest Forum for organizing this session.
For Peru, we are a mega diverse country in the Amazon region and we're full of tropical forests.
As such, forests aren't simply carbon reserves, they are territories, biodiversity, sources of water, culture, livelihoods, and effective tools for our way of life.
Protecting them requires comprehensive management.
We should recognize their territorial environmental, social and economic dimension against that backdrop, Peru striving to reduce deforestation and the degradation of forests.
We are promoting the restoration of ecosystems, strengthening forest governance, and creating sustainable opportunities for local people, particularly for indigenous peoples and communities that depend directly on forests.
That vein and in terms of international cooperation, a specific development to which we wish to point now is the fact that we've recently signed the Joint Declaration of Intent running to 2030 that was signed with Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
This is a tool that will contribute to reducing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and implementing our NDC in terms of land use change and forestry.
This will strengthen forest governance, improve monitoring and traceability systems, and promote conservation and restoration of ecosystems.
At the same time, we will be championing sustainable economic alternatives for indigenous peoples and local communities who depend on forests.
Chair, our message to this forum is clear.
Countries with tropical forests contribute decisively to achieving global forest goals.
However, that contribution must go hand in hand with technical cooperation, adequate financing, capacity building, and mechanisms which recognize our national and territorial level realities.
The microphone has been cut off.
Thank you, Andrés.
We heard Mr.
Andrés Nbti's also the Vice Chair of Bureau, so we are working together.
Thank you so much.
I will talk the light Norway, you have the floor, please.
Thank you, Chair.
Norway attaches great importance to Global Forest goal one on reversing forest cover loss and the vital role of forest in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.
For many years, Norway has been strongly engaged in global efforts to halt deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries, notably through Norway's International Climate and Forest Initiative.
Initiative aims to contribute to reduced and divers deforestation and forest degradation while supporting biodiversity, sustainable land use, and the livelihoods of forest dependent communities.
Through long term and systematic management, Norway has built up its forest resources over time.
Our legislative framework requires regeneration after harvesting and provides a clear basis for managing these resources within sustainable limits, while taking biodiversity and other environmental values into account.
We also recognize that sustainable forest management sometimes involves trade offs between different functions of forests.
In Norway, we seek to address them through clear governance frameworks, well established management systems, and long term perspective.
Sustainable forest based value chains contribute to value creation, rural livelihoods and the supply of renewable materials.
They play an important role in a sustainable and circular economy and are aligned with Norway's climate and nature policies and are integral parts of our bioeconomy, circular economy, and green industrial development strategies.
Norway emphasizes good governance, clear policy frameworks, and well functional forest management systems are essential for achieving the forest global goals.
Achieving these goals requires strong international cooperation.
Norway values the United Nations Forest and Forest as the only universal intergovernmental platform addressing all types of forest and dimensions of sustainable forest management and looks forward to continued cooperation to advance implementation of the United States Strategic Plan for forests.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Norway.
You are perfect on timing.
Thank you.
Sudan, you have the floor, please.
Sudan.
Thank you, Chair.
Excellencies, Sudan stand before this forum acutely aware of both its vast forest heritage and the devastating toll that the ongoing war has taken upon it.
We are not approaching this forum with aspiration alone.
We come with concrete bankable deliverables.
In 2025, Sudan finalized its forest reference emission level, fulfilling a key requirement of the UN Convention on climate change.
We have also developed an updated national forest inventory, a national forest monitoring system, a fully operational MRV framework, and a national REDD plus strategy.
Already for implementation.
Three, emission reduction program under REDD plus are currently in preparation, and the proposal for an integrated data management system is in place.
We are ready to move from strategy to action.
We also concluded our postwar Force recovery program, which focuses on five strategic pillars aligned with this forum key messages, including rehabilitating economic lifeline, securing the Gum Arabic belt, building natural infrastructure, promoting gender equality and youth engagement and supporting climate resilience.
Excellencies, yet commitment alone cannot bridge the financing technology and capacity gaps that developing countries like Sudan contribute to face.
We therefore wish to underscore three calls to action.
First, scaled up and predictable investment in sustainable forest management.
Second, dedicated capacity building and institutional strengthening to advance forest governance.
Third, improved access to environmentally sound technologies.
Excellencies, Sudan emphasizes the importance of deebor partnership and underscores the centrality of local and indigenous communities in forest governance.
To conclude, Sudan stands ready to collaborate and deliver.
Thank you.
Thank you, Sudan.
Thank you so much.
No, I would invite Kenya, Kenya, you have the four, please.
Through the fourth year, Kenya has actively involved both all the relevant stakeholders from the local communities, political, development partners, and the private sector in advancing sustainable forest management, a deforestation, and deforestation programs.
The forest conservation and Management law is currently under review.
To further strengthen this oulation and protect the forest.
This is linked to the development and declaration of bac' landscape and ecosystem restorlation program through growing 15 billion trees within Act using the of government or society approach, which will contribute to increase tree and forest cover, mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.
To date, 1.5 billion trees have been planted.
To strengthen international cooperation, Kenya has been engaging actively on regional collaboration and partnership including north, south, south south and Strangula cooperation.
For example, Kenya so far hosting a South exchange visit by Cordova and Democratic Repro of Congo, the Forest and the Climate Indus Partnership meeting, and it will be hosting the first Global and plus summit on 19th of 21, May 2026.
Chair, to promote science policy and direct and to support science based decision making on forest at the local, national, regional and global levels, Kenya will be hosting the 27th UFO World Congress in 2029.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Kenya.
No, you have to please, please.
Thank you Chair.
Japan has rich forests which account for about 70% of its land area.
We implement forest management such as tending and replanting after harvesting to ensure that forests can sustainably provide their multiple functions over the long term.
With regard to global forest goal one of the UN SPA, Japan's forest growing stock has increased significantly and tripped in 60 years.
Much of this increase is attributed to planted forest, which accounted for roughly 40% of Japan's forests.
We believe that promoting the sustainable use of wood alongside sustainable forest management makes a significant contribution to the standardization of decarboniization and the circular economy.
In this regard, Japan has enacted the Act for promotion of the use of wood in buildings, which encourages the use of wood, especially in private sector buildings.
In addition, through cross ministerial initiatives, the use of wood is being promoted in public school facilities and temporary housing in the event of disaster.
The plan seeks to further strengthen the circular use of forest resources through planting, tending, harvesting, using, and planting and we'll continue to promote sustainable forest management and use of it.
We like to keep working with member states and relevant organization in order to achieve the USSPA and FCs and ensure the conservation or the sustainability of world's forest.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jeff.
South Africa, please.
South Africa.
Thank you Chair.
Implementation of the UN strategic plan for forests 2017 to 2030 and the achievement of the global Forest goal is called collective shared responsibility for all of us and requires significant improvement of implementation mechanism, including the allocation of financial resources from all sources.
My delegation acknowledges, although with some concern the steady but slow progress in the achievement of the EFTs.
We therefore need to urgently scale up our efforts towards the implementation of UNSFP and the achievement of global forest goals.
Earlier today, South Africa launched the presidential Billion trees program under the theme my tree, my oxygen Plants Today and we'll be planting 10 million trees in one day on the 24th of September 2025.
As we engage in the implementation of the outcomes of the midterm review, the IFF must be strengthened for it to make meaningful impact, catalyze implementation and facilitate the mobilization of increased sustainable implementation of SFM.
In this regard, South Africa course on the forum to strengthen or at least maintain the current capacity of the UNFF Secretariat until 2030 when the forum will conduct the final review of the IAF.
I thank you very much.
Thank you, R, and a special thanks to your support to UNFF.
Thank you.
I mean, Nigeria, Nigeria, you have the floor, please.
Mr.
Chair, let me begin by commending you and the Secretariat for their efforts and commitment, particularly in the realization of the strategic plan forest and the global forest goals.
The forestry sector is central to sustainable development, contributes significantly to climate regulation and the livelihoods of millions.
In this context, Nigeria is taking efforts to strengthen forest governance and has reached critical milestones in the oppoization of its national forest monitoring system and measurement reporting and verification frameworks.
This is evidenced by the recent submission of an updated forest reference emission level, which provides enhanced data quality and transparency in full alignment with the Par Agreement reporting standards.
Nigeria has also updated its national biodiversity strategy and action plan to conserve forests, ecosystems, protect and endangered species, and mainstream sustainable land use practices.
It's also imperative to note that Nigeria is elevating its climate abution through a long term low emission development strategy.
At the core of this transition is the net zero nature positive Initiative, which operationalizes the forestry sectors contributing by restoring ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, and mainstreaming nature based solutions.
Consistent with the experience of other emerging economies, Niger continues to navigate persistent challenges including deforestation, land degradation, and competing land use demands.
To address these complexities, Niger has also added a three pronged focused on strengthening institutional coordination, advancing in security land use planning, and scaling investments in HR based solutions.
Why we continue to advocate for intensive Thank you.
Thank you, Nigeria.
Thank you.
The representative of Canada.
Thank you, Chair.
Canada echoes the comments of others regarding the importance of cooperation and multilateralism, particularly in the implementation and review of the global forest goals and the SDGs.
Canada views all SDGs under review in 2027 as closely linked to forest with particular relevance to SDG 12 and 15 through the forest bioeconomy and the use of sustainably sourced wood in the built environment.
Canada has prioritized these efforts through build Canada homes and green construction through wood programs.
These programs work with industry, governments and indigenous communities to deliver affordable housing and deploy modern methods of construction using advanced wood based building products.
Canada's global Forest leadership program supports SDG ten and 17, including through the support to several UN organizations, the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, and the International Model for its Network.
The Canadian Forest Service is pleased to act as host to the IMFN Secretariat, a thriving global network involving more than 30 countries around the world, together dedicated to sustainable forest management of landscapes through partnerships and inclusive governance.
Thank you.
Thank you, Canada, white, Philippines.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Philippines reaffirms its state past commitment to sustainable forest management and achieving the sustainable development goals and targets under the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forest and Global Forest goals.
Forests are central to the Philippines sustainable development agenda.
As a climate vulnerable and mega diverse country, we recognize forests as vital for resilience, biodiversity, water security, and livelihood.
In line with the priority of this session, the Philippines affirms its commitment to the global forest goals one, three, and five.
We have sustained progress in forest restoration and protection.
2010-2020, forest cover increased from 6.84 million hectas to 7.22 million hectas representing 5.65% increase.
More recently, based on the preliminary analysis of Numa in 2024, there was an additional 1.3% expansion equivalent to over 81,000 hectas.
This year, Philippines will further analyze the forest cover change 2020-2025 using the latest land cover maps.
Through the National Greening Program and related initiatives, the Philippines has also rehabilitated 2.2 million hectares of degraded forest lands and planted over 1.8 billion seedlings since 2011, contributing to the ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.
However, sustaining these gains requires a strategic ship, one that positions forestry not only as an environmental priority, but as a key economic factor.
In this regard, Philippines is actively promoting forest based Thank you.
Thank you, Philippe.
Now, I will invite Russian iteration.
You have the floor, please.
Mr.
Chairman, distinguished colleagues, good afternoon.
Upon the request of the President Vladimir Putin, we've declared as a national priority protecting our forests and Russia.
We have a federal project.
It seeks to maintain and increase forest coverage and to save forests from fires and develop forest management.
According to the FAO, we have 20% of all the forests in the worlds.
And we are aiming at reforestation at forestation in keeping with Global Forest goal number one, which is a priority of this year at the UNFF.
We're developing green belts around major cities and industrial centers.
This is facilitating progress in terms of SDG number 11.
We are planting trees in all regions where there's a need for reforestation.
This step is an important tool to fight desertification and soil erosion inter alen.
As of today, the ratio of reforested land to degraded land is 115%.
This has implemented our commitment to ensure reforestation.
In Russia, there are varying levels of protection for over 50% of our forests and state administration of them seeks to maintain clean drinking water, promote biodiversity, and protect environments, and ensure the way of life of indigenous peoples.
We believe it's important to reflect in the resolution of this resolution, the need to consider the conservation of forests as a comprehensive task.
I thank you.
Thank you, Russia.
I will invite India, followed by Australia, Jamaica, and Islamic Republic of Iran.
India, you have the floor, please.
Thank you, chair and distinguished delegates.
India reaffirms its commitment to the USF and the global Forest goals.
We have made consistent progress in enhancing the tree and forest covers and based on India's latest state of Forest report which we bring out every two years, we have enhanced our forest cover 25.17% of the geographical area.
We've also enhanced our inds for the carbon sequestration with an additional carbon sink of ambitions of around 3.5 to 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035.
Recognizing the critical role of landscape level restoration in combatant decertification, we have launched the Arabi Greenwald Project, which aims to restore around 6.31 million hectas of degraded forest lands.
The mangroves and coastal ecosystems play a crucial role, and we have launched an exclusive program aimed at restoration of the mangrove ecosystems to approximately around 540 square kilometers.
Underscoring our sustained commitment to wetland conservation, we are providing focused attention to 99 designated Ramsar sites covering approximately 1.36 million hectres.
India has sponsored a resolution in UNA seven for strengthening global response on wildfire management and also to further strengthen the Global Forest Management hub along with the relevant UNA programs.
India has launched the International Bict Alliance to foster global collaboration on the conservation of the seven B cat species.
India is hosting the alliance from the first to 3rd of June 2026 and which will provide a platform to range countries to share their expertise.
We Thank you, India.
Thank you.
Australia.
Thank you, Chair.
Firstly, I would like to share our optimism for this week of policy session deliberations.
As we move closer to 2030, this session provides an important opportunity not only to maintain momentum towards implementation of the global forest goals, but also to begin to consider the longer term direction, relevance, and effectiveness of the IAF beyond 2030.
Australia remains firmly committed to the implementation of the UN SPF and the realization of the global forest goals and continues to strengthen both our international efforts and domestic policies in support of these.
Australia is heavily invested in national forest reporting with the state of Australia's forests reported across 44 indicators that are progressively updated.
Australia's online first State of the Forest Report Synthesis, 2023 enables rolling updates to key metrics as new information becomes available.
Australia also remains committed to working collaboratively with partners to advance implementation of the UNSPF and the global Forest goals.
This includes practical cooperation through regional and bilateral partnerships such as Australia's PNG winning program, which supports capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Australia looks forward to continue discussions on preparations for the final review of the IAF, including consideration of how the forum can remain effective, focused, and responsive to a changing global environment.
Australia recognizes ongoing capacity and financing constraints and supports transparent prioritization of activities and practice use of existing resources, mechanisms, and partnerships.
Thank you.
Thank you, Australia.
No, you have the floor, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Distinguished delegates, international observers.
Good afternoon.
Jamaica welcomes the progress made under the international arrangement of forests, and we reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017, 2030 and its global forest goals.
At the national level, Jamaica has advanced sustainable forest management through strengthened policy coherence, expanded restoration efforts, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.
However, as a small island developing state or progress continues to be challenged by increasing climate related shocks, most recently Hurricane Melissa, which has reinforced the urgency of integrating climate resilience and disaster risk reduction into forest management.
In response, Jamaica is prioritizing climate resilient restoration using native and endemic species, improved forest monitoring and post disturbance assessments, stronger integration of forests international climate adaptation strategies.
Mr.
Chair, Jamaica is currently developing a forest sector plan for 2026 to 2036, which will align closely with the strategic plan for forests while advancing national priorities, including landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Consistent with the position of other CDs, We underscore that CIDs require predictable and adequate financing, enhanced technical support and targeted capacity building to effectively implement sustainable forest management in the face of escalating climate impacts.
We therefore call for strengthened support through the mechanisms such as the Global Forest Financing facilitation Network with greater accessibility for SIDS.
In closing, Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to accelerating implementation of the international arrangement on forests and working collectively to achieve the global forest goals.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Thank you, Jamaica.
Islamic Republic of Iran, you have the floor, please.
In the name of compassion, the merciful, Mr.
Chair Excellencies, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of its forests, recognizing their vital role in biodiversity conservation, combating desertification and sand and dust storms and strengthening climate resilience.
Low forest cover countries face particular challenges in the sustainable forest management, including limited resources, climate change, and financial and technical constraints.
Mr.
Chairman.
Our forests face many global threats among which wars and armed conflict are particularly devastating drivers of forest desert degradation and ecosystem destruction.
In this context, Iran has over the past years been subjected twice to unlawful act of aggreation causing serious damage on its infrastructure, natural resources, forests, and other environmentally critical areas.
On 20 in March, during an unlawful act of aggression against Iran, the country's natural resources and Watershed Management Organization, an institution with over 120 years of experience in safeguarding forest, range lands and combating desertification was directly targeted.
This attack resulted in the tragic loss of specialized environmental personnel, severely damaged national capacities for sustainable forest management.
Mr.
Chairman, we affirm that the protection and sustainable management of forests is a shared global responsibility and indispensable pillar for achieving the global forest goals.
At the same time, the forest face growing threats.
It is imperative to strengthen multilateral cooperation, solidarity, and collective action with the leading role of the United Nations to safeguard this vital ecosystem for present and future generation.
Thank you.
Thank you, Ian.
I will invite China.
You have to please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Distinguish delegates.
China very much appreciates all the efforts made by the UN secretarat and the member states for their actions for implementing the UN strategic plan for forest.
Government of China attaches great importance to the ecological priority and green development.
We take comprehensive methods to prevent and control desertification and promote the implementation of key ecological projects such as the three nodes short bel program with a concrete action for implementing the SPF, particularly the global forest goals, number one.
We advance science based large scale land greening and continuously improve the nature reserve system with the national park as the main body.
Dear delegates, China remains committed to the implementation of UN strategic plan for forest and has a strong willingness to share with and to learn from member states the successful stories and best practices.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Thank you, China, Anvite Brazil.
We have the word, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair, Distinguished delegates, Brazil welcomes the convening of the UNFF 21st and thanks to Secretariat for its continued work in supporting of the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017, 2030.
As we move closer to 2030, Brazil believes this forum has a central role to play in helping translate political commitments into the implementation that we all need.
Brazil comes to UNFF 21 with concrete results grounded in a comprehensive approach that combines enforcement with sustainable forest management, restoration, productive inclusion, and the creation of economic alternatives that keeps forests standing.
Our efforts are directly aligned with the thematic priorities of this session.
Brazil is expanding its federal sustainable forest management concessions to 5 million hectas by 2027, while strengthening traceability and forest governance.
Brazil has also advanced in restoration.
We already have an estimated 3.4 million hectas of native vegetation under recovery as part of our national target to restore 12 million hectares by 2030.
Also, in 2025 and 2026, Brazil created or expanded six federal protected areas that conserve native forests in four different biomes, totaling more than 153,000 hectares.
We have delivered also the second lowest Amazon deforestation rate in the historical series, which was about 55% in 2025 compared to 2022, 55% decrease in less than three years.
This is part of a consistent downward trend that demonstrates that in order to deliver on our political commitments, we need strong public policies, but positive results and robust public programs need more Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Go Batmanan Fmres.
Thank you so much.
Now, I may invite my colleague from Argentina.
The please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
The Argentine Republic reaffirms its commitment to the sustainable management of forests and to the implementation of the UN strategic plan forests 2017 to 2030 within the context of the full respect for the sovereign rights of states over their natural resources and their national development priorities.
My delegation wishes to recall that sustainable development should be agreed upon in a balanced fashion.
It should incorporate environmental, economic and social dimensions as such.
Forest policy cannot be decoupled from growth needs or needs in terms of production, employment, or poverty eradication of developing countries.
With that in mind, my country wishes to reaffirm the voluntary non binding nature and state led nature of the international arrangement on forests and the flexible nature of voluntary national contributions.
Argentina is of the view that we must avoid simplified approach which attribute responsibilities for climate change primarily to deforestation without considering appropriately historic emissions of greenhouse gases from developed nations and overlooking the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities.
We note with concern the proliferation of initiatives and unilateral measures which could lead to trade restrictions that are unjustified for developing nations, particularly when they affect productive sectors such as agriculture and livestock rearing, environmental policies should not be transformed into instruments for trade discrimination, nor should they impose disproportionate burdens on those who have less capacity.
My delegation believes it's necessary to proceed with caution regarding the use of terms which have yet to be agreed upon multilaterally, such as the concept of forest degradation.
We should avoid interpretations which can give rise to negative consequences for sustainable production activities undertaken within national legislation.
We also underscore that international processes and their relationship with national agreements, the microphone has been cut off.
Thank you, Argentina.
No.
Thank you.
Now Avid invite Ethiopia.
You have the floor, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
At the outset, allow me to commend the Bureau members in the Secretariat of the forum for the work they have been doing and also for organizing this session.
Mr.
Chair, the government of Ethiopia has undertaken sustained efforts over the past years to address environmental challenges.
We have prioritized forest conservation and restoration in our national development strategies.
The National Forest Sector Development Program 2020-2030 positions forestry as a driver of GDP growth, employment, and ecological resilience.
Through the Pest green legacy Initiative, widely considered one of the largest reforestation efforts in Africa and globally, we planted over 48 billion trees in seven years.
The initiative has created hundreds of thousands of jobs, particularly for women and youth.
This is part of our commitment to protect our climate for present and future generations of humankind.
For this recognition, the successful implementation of the Green Las Initiative, Tupe has received a major international award in October 2025 from the United Nation Food and Agricultural Organization underscoring the positive impact of the initiative.
In conclusion, Mr.
Chair, Ethiopia prates its commitment to environmental stability, climate resilience, and socioeconomic development anchored in sustainable forest resources.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Thank you, Ethiopia.
Now I have Guatemala in my list, Guatemala for this.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chairman and distinguished colleagues on behalf of the National Institute of Forests of Guatemala, we are grateful for this space for dialogue within the United Nations Forest Forum.
For Guatemala, forests are crucial for climate resilience, water security, biodiversity, and the well being of rural communities.
It is for this reason that our country continues to strengthen its endeavors designed to ensure sustainable forest management.
We champion initiatives for the restoration of forests as well as for forest governance and to have forest incentives which benefit families and communities through the sustainable management and use of forestry resources.
As things stand, Guatemala annually invests around $7 million in conservation programs, as well as resilient agroforestry systems and the restoration of degraded land.
We've reached more than 590,000 hectas that are now under management and reforestation within the framework of the emissions reduction program that we have, we reached an important milestone when we made our first emission reduction payment through the fund operational for forests under the World Bank.
That payment That meant that we've reduced our emissions by 4.8 million tons and so we've become the fourth greatest country in Latin America in terms of contributions to red payments.
This means we're fully contributing to global forest goals and Agenda 2030.
We are convinced that investing in forests means investing in resilience, sustainable development, and well being for future generations.
Thank you.
Gracie.
Now, we will have two international organization in our list.
First, International Criminal Police organization interp.
You have the floor, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair, Distinguished delegates.
With climate change accelerating at a breathtaking pace, the need to protect our forests from exploitation has never been more urgent.
Criminal actors continue to loot our forests for their personal gain, using ruthless extraction methods to legally harvest, traffic along their timber for huge profits on illicit markets.
Illegal logging is now responsible for nearly half of all tropical deforestation, driving biodiversity loss, releasing greenhouse gases, and intensifying global warming.
Achieving the global forest goals therefore requires not only strengthened legislation, but coordinated law enforcement action to dismantle forestry crime.
The Interpol Environmental Security Program supports law enforcement by identifying modeler and trafficking routes, enhancing intelligence exchange and coordinating cross border operation and investigations the target network involved in forestry crime.
With the support of our member countries and partners, we have also launched several targeted initiatives.
For instance, Interpol flagship Project LP, funded by Norway, has assisted member countries to detect, investigate, and prevent forestry crime.
In 2022 alone, LIP partners coordinated for global operation which seeds more than $740,000 worth of illicit timber across 40 countries.
The third phase of the project newly launched in November will expand its focus on the connections between the illicit proceeds of forestry crime and global financial crime networks, as well as address illegal mining as a major cause of deforestation.
Mr.
Chair, criminal networks are threatening to destroy our forests, one of our most precious natural resources.
We cannot allow them to succeed.
Interpol remains committed to bringing our member countries together to protect our forests from illegal exploitation and in doing so, fighting for our climate.
I thank you.
Thank you, Interpol.
As the last speaker, we have major group for children and youth.
You will have the floor, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I'm speaking on behalf of the International arrangement on forests, internal coordination mechanism, and Unified network representing major groups and other stakeholders.
The major group represents diverse voices and live experiences united by a shared commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of all types of forests.
Forests are core to human survival.
However, we cannot ignore the impacts of wars.
Besides endangering human lives, this context brings uncertainties and a highly tense, volatile environment for forest stakeholders in their endeavor to conserve and sustainably manage forests and to pursue a net zero people and nature positive, equitable future.
The path forward requires more than words.
It requires bold yet responsible actions, backed by respect for rights, accompanied by accountability and supported by the necessary resources.
Actions like those are positive efforts towards sustainable forest management.
Yet, our deepest concerns remain the persistent rates of deforestation and biodiversity loss, the worsening climate crisis, the shrinking space for forest governance, and the protection of human rights.
We call on governments to move beyond statements and effectively stop deforestation now.
The major group and other stakeholders remind this forum of the Human Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, in which the Forum committed to protecting 30% of the planet's lands and waters by 2030 and the Paris Agreement in which you recognize that forests are indispensable to our climate targets.
We are ready to work, but we require the support of member states to ensure that the implementation phase of the international arrangement of forests is truly inclusive.
We seek to shift our roles from consultation to active implementation.
Nothing about us without us.
Meaningful participation is not a courtesy.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Distinguished delegates, now we are about to complete our discussion for agenda item three before proceeding next 21.
Okay.
With this latest speaker, we completed our discussion for general discussion of agenda item three.
I think my term is end now.
I would like to invite my dear colleague Abdran Him who are here.
Abran Hume is the vice chairman of UNFF and he also worked as Deputy Director General of Forest and Water Agency of To Morocco.
It is my pleasure to invite him with your permission, I am limiting now.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Excellence, Monsieur.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
It is with great pleasure that I'm chairing this second meeting.
To save time, I'll get directly to our agenda.
As such, I now invite the forum to begin the consideration of agenda item three B, entitled Contributions of Members of the Forum to the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017 to 2030.
We will consider the sub points under this agenda that is the report on the outcomes of the country led initiatives and new announcements of voluntary national contributions as well as sub item three, updates on voluntary national contributions, and the follow up related to the thematic priorities.
Before we move to our general discussion on this agenda item, we will hear statements from delegations that wish to present their national initiatives.
I would remind delegations that speaking time stands at 7 minutes.
Now, With your indulgence, I will give myself the floor as General Director of National Forestry zones to present the initiative which was launched in Morocco.
Ladies and gentlemen, Excellencies, it is an honor for me to today address the forum on behalf of the Kingdom of Morocco at this 21st edition Now, more than ever, the international community is being called upon to bolster its collective commitment to the growing challenges facing global forest ecosystems.
Allow me at the outset to warmly thank the Secretariat of the United Nations Forest Forum.
I also wish to thank our partners in our work on forests for their unwavering efforts to help us implement the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forest 2017, 2013.
I thank them all for the sterling work done to organize this forum.
Ladies and gentlemen, today, forests are far more than natural heritage.
They are at the heart of our global ecological balance.
They're at the heart of our fight against climate change, the preservation of biodiversity, and of the socioeconomic resilience of millions of people.
In a context marked by increasing climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and increasing anthropogenic pressure, the sustainable management of forests should now be at the very heart of our international agenda.
It must also stand as a collective responsibility shared by all member states.
It is in this spirit that the Kingdom of Morocco had the honor of organizing in Agadir from the 16th to the 18th of June 2025, a country initiative as part of the country led Initiatives framework.
Supporting the work of the forum.
This initiative had three key and complementary thrusts.
One, the community management of forests, two, technological innovation, and three, the sustainable financing of the forest sector.
This international event brought together more than 100 participants from more than 50 countries representing governance, international organizations, scientific institutions, the civil society, local communities, and the private sector.
This wealth of perspectives enabled a particularly rich dialogue which was structured around a common ambition.
That was to pinpoint concrete, inclusive, and innovative solutions to expedite the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan forests.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
First thrust of the initiative that I just outlined was community management.
Here, discussions confirmed that local communities are pivotal actors in ensuring the sustainability of forests.
Discussions underscored the need to strengthen both legal and institutional frameworks in order to render land tenure and use rights more robust, as well as to promote inclusive local governance and to ensure the effective participation of young people and women rather in decision making processes.
Participants also emphasized the importance of properly harnessing traditional knowledge as well as of diversifying income generating activities.
This through non timber forest products, ecotourism, artisanal craft production, and sustainable value chains.
They also emphasized the need for effective participatory follow up mechanisms.
Making it possible to harness and disseminate good practices.
The second thrust was devoted to technological innovation.
Discussions emphasized the strategic role of digital technologies as well as that of integrated information systems and data governance in improving the decision making process within forestry policy.
Participants all recommended strengthening national capacity in terms of producing, managing, and analyzing datas, data as well as in promoting the interoperability of national information systems as well as regional and global ones so that there could be more transparent, inclusive, and safer access to information.
Technological innovation was also recognized as a fundamental lever to preempt risk, to improve the effectiveness of public policy, and to bolster the resilience of forest ecosystems.
Ladies and gentlemen, the third thrust of the initiative was devoted to sustainable financing.
It underscored that achieving the global forest goals remains closely linked to our collective ability to mobilize adequate, predictable and innovative financing.
Discussions emphasized the need to develop tools such as payments for ecosystems, ecosystem services rather, carbon markets, climate finance, public private partnership, and responsible private investment.
Discussions also emphasize the importance of increasing and bolstering country capacity, namely at a local level so that countries are effectively able to access these mechanisms to establish transformational projects and to ensure the proper inclusion of communities in terms of harnessing the economic benefits arriving from the sustainable management forests.
The conclusions of our country initiative emphasized a belief which we now hold dear, the sustainable management of forests compels an integrated approach based on inclusive governance, technological innovation, and sustainable financing.
Our initiative also demonstrated the importance of international dialogue, the sharing lessons learned, and of multilateral cooperation to ensure the emergence of solutions which are adapted to the realities on the ground while at the same time taking account of global issues.
We remain unwaveringly committed to modern inclusive and resilient forestry governance as part of our Moroccan forest 2020 2030 strategy, which is fully aligned with the UN strategic plan forests.
We remain ready and willing to continue our work standing shoulder to shoulder with all member states and foreign partners in order to actively contribute to usher ushering in a future for our forests which is sustainable and can benefit both present and future generations.
Thank you.
That concludes my statement as the Moroccan delegate and now I wish to put my hat as meeting chair back on.
With that hat change, I now give the floor to the Turkish Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Forest, Mr.
Abdul Galt.
You have the floor, sir, Minister.
It.
Mr.
Chair, excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues from collaborative partnership on forests.
Let me begin by expressing our deepest thanks to the UNFF Secretariat, particularly miss Juliet and her team for issuing our country led initiative reports as official document and for the excellent organization of this 21st session of our forum.
Turkey is honored to have hosted our CII on forest fires, partners and innovative technologies in Istanbul in 2025.
We thank all 70 plus countries, Turkey organization and experts who participate today.
I bring you not only the outcomes of CII but a clear message from the Mediterranean, a region burning faster than we can respond.
Mr.
Chair, the Mediterranean Basin currently faces an average of over 50,000 wildfire in annually, resulting in the devastation of up to 800,000 hectares of forestland while anthropogenic factors account for 95% of these occurrences.
The compounding effects of climate change characterized by prolonged drought, extreme thermal conditions, and high velocity winds are shifting the paradigm from seasonal outbreaks to perennial mega fires.
The Istanbul CII concludes with three concrete recommendation.
Let me highlight the most urgent four.
First one, cross border interoperability, voluntary protocols for joint response and shared aerial fillets among neighboring countries.
Second one, based prevention, investing in early learning, digital tubings, file behavior modeling, and community based file management.
Third one, restoration with native file tolerant species, not just replanting, but adaptive silver culture.
The last one, finance, budget alone are insufficient.
We need carbon markets, green bonds, and private sector engagement.
Mr.
Chair, this brings me to the most exciting part of our message.
Turkey will host the 21 conference of the parties to the UNF Triple C in November 2026 in Antalia.
This is not just a climate conference.
It's a once in a generation opportunity to place forest and integrated five management at the center of the global climate agenda.
And Antala is not just a beautiful city.
It's home to the International Forest Training Center established by our Directorate General of Forestry.
This center already provides simulation supported training for five chiefs from the Mediterranean, Central Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and beyond.
I formally invite every member country, every partner organization, local communities, and especially yacht to come to Antala, bring your forestry expert, your fire managers, your innovators.
Finally, let me speak directly to the young people in this room and around the world.
The Mediterranean yacht do not want to see forestry only as conservation.
They want green jobs, entrepreneurship, and the bioeconomy.
They want to fly drones, analyze file data, restore the graded lands, and build climate resilience.
Turkey is ready to host your plats events at CP 31 to turn that vision into reality.
Turkey stands ready to work with the global File Management Hub, with UNFF, with all countries and communities to pilot cross border IFM protocols, test the fire Hub's upcoming self assessment tool, and demonstrate at Cp 31 that integrated file management is not a luxury.
It is our shared survival strategy.
I invite you all to Auntalia, the pearl of the Mediterranean, not as a visitor, but as a partner.
Let us build five res landscape and communities together.
I thank you.
Thank you very much, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turka and we've well noted your invitation to Atia.
And I hope that this event is a success.
I now give the floor to the Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection Regions and Water Management of Austria, Mr.
Georg Rept.
Mr.
Chair, Excellency, distinguished delegates, thank you for giving Austria the floor to present the outcome of the Country led initiative on sustainable forest based bioeconomy A approaches, which was organized as a global summit held in Vienna from 23rd to 25th of February this year.
The summit co chaired by Austria and South Africa marked a major milestone in our collective efforts to advance sustainable forest based bioeconomy worldwide.
It also demonstrated something profoundly important.
Forests are no longer viewed only as natural resources to be protected, but increasingly as strategic foundation for resilient, climate neutral, and inclusive economies and societies.
At the time when the world faces converging crisis, forests offer solutions that are both ancient and innovative.
Forest based bioeconomy is not a sectoral issue.
It's about how we shape the future of our economies, societies, and territories.
It's a transformation agenda.
The global summit has been an important milestone of the country and organization led initiative on sustainable forest based bio econ approaches, short CLI, which was launched by Austria, together with Australia, Finland, Japan, Dirk, FOO, the UN form on Forest Secretariat, and IOFRA in 2024.
The purpose of CLI is clear to strengthen international cooperation and accelerate actions towards sustainable forest bioeconomy grounded in sustainable forest management.
On behalf of the government of Austria, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the following 22 countries for their strong guidance in the steering group of this CLI, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Schia, Finland, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Turkey, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, and Tanzania.
We also warmly acknowledge the valuable contribution of our partner organizations, the UN Foreman Forest Secretariat, FFO, IOFRO, ICFBA representing business and industry, IFFA representing farmers and small forest landowners, YASA and ITTO.
Austria also wishes to express deep appreciation for the generous financial support of Australia that enabled broad participation, particular from countries of the global South.
Distinguished delegates.
Around 400 participants from more than 60 countries and 100 organizations, both in both in person and online took part at the Vienna Summit.
Representatives from governments, forest owners, industry, science, financial institutions, local communities, youth and the private sector came together in the spirit of partnership and urgency.
Importantly, this was the first time such a broad coalition of countries and organizations worked so closely together to co create an event of this scale dedicated to advancing forest based bioeconomy.
Preparation for the CLI began already two years ago.
A ahead of the global summit, FOO organized the global bioeconomy webinar series.
In addition, IFR prepared science policy briefs on advancing sustainable forest based bioeconomy to support discussion at the global summit.
The summit resulted in two key outcomes, the COTA summary with a series of valuable concrete recommendations and the Vienna call for action.
The Vienna call for action is more than a conference outcome document.
It's a collective invitation to act urgently, inclusively and at scale.
It identifies five priority actions.
First, we must take leadership for a systemic transformation by integrating forest by economy international development strategies and climate actions.
Second, we must ensure an inclusive, people centered and rights based bio economy which is beneficial for all, including forest owners and local communities.
Third, we must mobilize targeted financial resources, including substantial long term investments.
Fourth, we must create enabling conditions for forest based value changes, innovations, sustainable supply for forest resources, infrastructure, as well as skills and research.
Fifth, we must build collaborative partnerships at all levels.
No country, institution or sector can achieve this transformation alone.
Excellence is.
As a forest rich country, Austria has a long tradition of sustainable forest management.
Forests are deeply connected to our economy, our culture, and our understanding of intergenerational responsibility.
But we are fully aware that no national success story alone will be sufficient.
The transition we need must be global, fair, science based, and inclusive.
The Vienna Call for Actions reminds us that sustainable forest based bioeconomy is not a niche discussion.
Forests are not only part of the environmental agenda, they're part of the economic agenda, the social agenda, and ultimately the peace and stability agenda of our century.
In this regard, we warmly invite all delegates to join the Morris UNF side event entitled Vienna Call for Action, the Power of Forest based bioeconomy taking place from 1:50 to 2:30 P.M.
In conference room four, lounge is included.
Dear delegates, the task ahead is clear to move from ambition to implementation from isolated initiatives to strong partnerships and from potential to tangible impact.
Let's team up and grow the solution together by acknowledging the recommendation also at this forum.
Thank you very much.
First off, I congratulate Austria on that initiative, above all, for an issue that for a long time was considered taboo among the forestry professionals.
We congratulate you and we hope that this initiative goes even further in its implementation.
So thank you, Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Austria for that statement.
I now invite the forum to begin a general discussion on Item three B and its sub items One, two, and three, including newly announced voluntary national contributions VNCs, updates on previously announced VNCs, country led initiatives, as well as emerging issues.
Delegations are kindly requested to strictly adhere to the time limits of 4 minutes for statements on behalf of a group of states and only 3 minutes, I'm sorry about that, for statements by individual delegations.
Delegations speaking on behalf of a group are kindly asked to inform the Secretariat in the room to be given priority in the list.
To assist speakers in managing their time, the light on the microphone will start blinking 30 seconds before the time limit is reached to indicate that the speaker should start concluding the statement.
If the speaker continues beyond the time limit, unfortunately, the microphone will be automatically muted.
Nonetheless, I would like to request speakers to deliver statements at a normal speaking speed for the purposes of interpretation.
Longer versions of statements may be sent for circulation through statements.
So If you'll now allow me, I give the floor to the representative of Australia Australia, you have the floor.
Thank you Chair.
Australia extends appreciation and thanks to Austria for its leadership on the forest based economy CLI.
Australia was pleased to co convene the global summit on advancing sustainable forest based bioeconomy approaches in Vienna earlier this year, alongside a broad coalition of partners, which successfully mobilized strong international engagement and delivered action orientated outcomes to advance sustainable forest based bioeconomy approaches at scale.
Australia highlights the Vienna call to action as a non binding outcome of that initiative and recognizes it as a useful technical contribution to discussions on innovation, value adding and sustainable forest based economic development, grounded firmly in sustainable forest management.
Given the strong engagement and outcomes of the initiative, Australia sees value in ensuring these outcomes are appropriately and visibly reflected in the UNFF 21 omnibus resolution.
In this regard, Australia supports the inclusion of text in the omnibus resolution acknowledging the outcomes of the global summit, which we are happy to provide to the Secretariat or to read into the record.
Thank you.
Thank you to the representative of Australia.
2 minutes for countries and 3 minutes for groups.
I now give the floor to the representative of Cyprus and then to Kenya.
Cyprus has the floor.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Excellences, distinguished delegates and representatives.
I'm honored to speak on behalf of the EU and its 27 member states.
We stress the importance of mutually supportive actions at global regional and national levels.
Such actions create synergy across policy areas and help implementation of the UNSPF and the global Forest goals.
We appreciate the flexibility in the organization of CLIs and coals and thank the hosts and contributing countries for the free initiatives in Morocco, in Turkey, and in Austria.
We see CLI as a good contribution to advance the work of the UNFF during intersectional periods.
Mr.
Chair, the EU and its member states acknowledges the essential role of sustainable bioeconomy in helping us to reduce our dependence on fossil based materials and products, as well as its contribution to energy independence, and we highlight the role that forest and SFM play in enabling a thriving sustainable bioeconomy.
The EU has recently adopted its bioeconomy strategy in which forests form a cornerstone.
It creates a framework for a competitive and sustainable bio eeconomy In the EU.
It will enhance security, sustainability, resilience, and strategic autonomy, reduce pressure on ecosystems, and increase the resource efficient and circular use of renewable biological resources.
The strategy focuses on four key areas of action.
One, scaling up innovations and investments.
Two, developing new lead markets for materials and technologies.
Three, ensuring sustainable supply of biomass and other renewable materials, including non wood forest products, and finally, four on harnessing global partnerships and opportunities.
Mr.
Chair, we also like to highlight the importance of regional cooperation for effective wildfire prevention preparedness and response.
We are happy to announce that the EU has recently launched a communication on integrated wildfire risk management.
In our view, the omnibus resolution should welcome the COLE and CLIs, thank the respective countries and address the follow up in the relevant fora and by relevant actors.
It should highlight the contributions of SFM and sustainable bioeconomy approaches to the three pillars of sustainable development and resource efficiency and circularity.
Specifically, for the COLE in Austria, it should welcome the resulting recommendations and the Vienna Code for action and invite governing bodies of multilateral agreements and processes, including the CPF, FAO, UN CCT, CBD, and the UNF AAC to contribute to its implementation.
The resolution should also underline the increasing risk of forest fires, the relation to climate change.
Sorry about that.
I thank the representative of Cyprus, who spoke on behalf of the European Union and its member states.
I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.
After that is Mexico.
Kenya, you have the floor.
Thank you, Chair for this opportunity.
Kenya affirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the UN strategic plan for forests and its achievement of the global goals.
In this regard, Kenya's country cover stands at 8.83% while the cover stands at 12.13%.
Here to address the adverse impact of climate change at required speed and scale.
Kenyan enhance its restoration target from 5.1 million hectares to 10.6 million hectares across the ecosystem through growing of 15 billion trees by 2032.
We know this target will significantly increase the tree cover to 30% and contribute to the UN strategic plan and the global goals.
This is a clear demonstration of Kenya's commitment and resolve.
To achieve this ambitious target, Kenya welcome strategic partnership and collaboration in advancing science based restoration anchored on all of society and all of government approach.
Thank you, Chair, I submit.
Good to see you all.
Thank you to the representative of Kenya.
The next speaker is Mexico to be followed by Malaysia.
Mexico, you have the floor.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chairman.
The government of Mexico recognizes the significance of the UN strategic plan for forests and the importance of the global forest goals as a crucial framework to promote sustainable forest management and to combat forest degradation and deforestation in line with the priorities of the 21st session of the forum, Mexico is championing measures designed to reduce the loss of forest cover, as well as to promote sustainable forest products and to strengthen inclusive forest governance.
Through the National Forest Program 2025, 20 2030, which is currently being published, we have defined priority goals and workstreams to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, to strengthen sustainable forest management and to improve the livelihoods of forest communities.
These actions incorporate the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development and contribute to Mexico's achieving its international commitments.
Mexico participated in two of the intersectional initiatives.
Particularly in those related to the management of wildfires and the sustainable forest bioeconomy.
These initiatives made it possible to continue with our exchange of experience and the follow up on issues relevant to our country.
At the same time, we recognized the operational challenges involved in organizing manifold initiatives in intersectional periods.
Consequently, we support the proposal to have only one intersectional initiative so that we can optimize resources and facilitate more effective follow up of its results and recommendations.
Finally, we underscore the importance of increasing international cooperation, technical exchange, and means of implementation to support countries in achieving progress with sustainable forest management.
Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico.
The next speaker is Malaysia to be followed by Peru.
Malaysia, you have the floor.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Malaysia affirms its commitment to Suttb Forest Management and biosic conservation and wishes to highlight its ongoing progress and initiative in this regard, including ecological fiscal transfer to incentivize conservation efforts at the state level, innovative nature based financing mechanisms such as the forest conservation certificate and forest carbon offset, progress in ecosystem restoration, the greening Malaysia Program to the 100 million tree planting campaign, ongoing effort to restore and rehabilitate degate forest landscape through FLR Initiative.
Russia also remains committed to advancing international forest related goals under CBD, the NFFTC and SDGs.
In this regard, Malaysia has strengthened its national policy on biological diversity, integrating the Coming Montreal global policy framework while taking into account national circumstances, priorities, and capabilities, and strengthening its climate ambition.
Massia has enhanced its NDC 3.0, reflecting a more ambitious economic wide emission reduction pathway and reaffirming its aspiration to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Malaysia expressed its appreciation for opportunity to participate in the CLI engagement in Turkey on forest fire management and in Austria on forest bioeconomy.
This platform provided valuable opportunities for the exchange of best practices and strengthening the international cooperation in advancing sustainable suable forest management.
Malaysia is also advancing technology driven approaches for forest fire detection and early warning, including the use of Internet of things based system within permanent reserve forests.
At the same time, Malaysia continues to promote accessible forest by economic initiative through higher value timber and non timber.
These apologies for that.
I think the representative of Malaysia, Peru has the floor to be followed by the representative of Congo Peru, you have the floor.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Chairman.
Peru is grateful for the presentations on the results of CLIs from Morocco, Turkey, and Austria.
We're also grateful for efforts made to create spaces for technical and political dialogue to support the implementation of the UN strategic plan forests.
My delegation wishes to underscore that Peru participated in those national initiatives, convinced that these spaces are a valuable tool to tackle the global overall debates of the forum and transpose them into international context.
We urge member states to continue organizing international initiatives and similar spaces for exchange, which make it possible to keep dialogue alive in the intercessional period and to bolster cooperation between countries, organizations, local communities, indigenous communities, the private sector and civil society.
We believe that these initiatives contribute to three primary goals.
One, strengthening peer to peer learning, particularly learning between developing countries and countries with tropical forests and tropical forestry ecosystems.
The implementation challenges are often linked to financing gaps and the need for long term investment.
There's also lack of information, technical gaps, and the need for sustainable economic initiatives that are scalable, culturally relevant and appropriate for local communities and indigenous people.
We need to create practical input for the work of this forum so that its results can be reflected in recommendations, partnerships, and more effective cooperation mechanisms.
Third, we must contribute to speeding up the implementation of the strategic plan as we move towards 2030.
We have only a little bit of time left, so we need to move from lessons learned to tangible initiatives, we need to have verifiable results that are felt on the ground.
Finally, we wish to reaffirm our readiness to continue actively participating in these for promoting a action oriented forestry agenda which is focused on results and cooperation.
Thank you.
Andrés, apologies.
I thank the representative Peru in the Bureau as well, and I congratulate him for his dynamic approach to the work of the Bureau.
I next give the floor to the representative of Congo.
Our distinguished Minister of Congo, you have the floor to be followed by Indonesia.
You have the floor.
Uh huh.
Yeah.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman, for giving me the floor.
The Republic of the Congo thanks and congratulates the Secretariat for the work that they've done and we thank the various member countries who have worked on contributions above all economic contributions of our forest ecosystems.
The Republic of the Congo reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017 to 2030.
We have the honor to announce a national contribution, which we're going to continue To roll forward to 2030, we're going to ensure our deforestation is at the FAO levels.
We're going to increase our forest coverage by 2030 to strengthen the economic, social, and environmental dimension of our forests.
We also reaffirm our resolve to contribute to the 2030 goal for biodiversity.
This will allow us to develop ecotourism and biodiversity.
In the context of the UN decade for reforestation and afforestation, we urge all member states to contribute to the finalizing the global strategy for afforestation and reforestation.
This will allow us to effectively launch this decade, turning now to forest financing.
My country wants to see innovative mechanisms, including ecosystem service payments and carbon markets developed.
We're going to be launching a project for deforestation involving young people from all departments of our country.
Finally, the Congo announces a structural contribution aiming to increase pre processed wood at the local level by 2030.
Mercy, Madam.
Thank you, Minister.
I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia to be followed by the representative of Brazil India has the floor.
You Mr.
Chair.
Indonesia commends Morocco, Turkey, and Austria for country initiatives.
In this context, Indonesia is pleased to share updates on our FNC.
First, Indonesia continues to prioritize social forestry and community based forest management as central pillars of sustainable forest management.
To date, 8.33 million hectars have been allocated under social forestry schemes, benefiting over 11,000 forest farmer groups and near 1.42 million households, while generating more than 300 million USD.
Indonesia has also strengthened inclusive forest governance and tenu security through the establishment of a task force and the acceleration of customary forest recognition.
Second, Indonesia continues to advance sustainable forest based bioeconomy approach, including agroforestry for food and energy and social forestry proclams.
1.1 million hectas have been allocated for priority commodities to support food security, renewable energy, and rural livelihoods while maintaining ecological balance.
Third, Indonesia continues to strengthen its timelity assurance system, the SVLCAF plus, including taking in cresin to strengthen traceability, more than 25 million hectas of state forests and there 0.3 billion hectas of private forests are made under the system supported by over 2.6 million export licenses.
Indonesia also highlights the contribution of the motile forest approach and advancing sustainable forest management and supporting the achievement of our global forest commitments.
Finally, Indonesia is strengthening its forestry financing through the Indonesia Environment Fund from public I thank the Representative of Indonesia.
I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil to be followed by the UK, United Kingdom.
I give the floor to Brazil.
Thank you, share.
Brazil welcomes the country led initiative hosted by Tuk on Integrated Fire Management and believes that the UNF 21 omnibus resolution should reflect the growing relevance of this issue.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent, severe and unpredictable with direct impacts on forest, biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security.
At a national level, Brazil has adopted its national policy on integrated fire management.
Five resolutions have already been approved under the National Committee on Integrated Fire Management, establishing policy tools, implementation timelines, minimum preventive measures for rural properties, the use of the National Fire Information System, and a federal volunteer strategy.
Brazil has also mobilized resources for implementation.
Through the National Environment Fund, 31 million HiIs were allocated to 31 priority municipalities in the Amazon and Pontanal for fire prevention and control.
In addition, more than 400 million HiIs from the Amazon Fund have been directed to strengthen fire departments in the Amazon and 150 million HiI's were invested in fire departments in the Pantanal and surro regions.
Brazil also worked with FAO international partners to launch the cultural action and integrated Fire management and wildfire resilience, launched the Bellen and now endorsed by 71 countries and international organizations.
We believe that the omnibus resolution should recognize the importance of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, as well as the value of scientific knowledge, traditional knowledge, capacity building, and access to finance.
On emerging issues, Brazil also highlights sustainable forest based bioeconomy, productive restoration, family farming, community forest management and non timber forest products.
These approaches generate income, support food security, strengthen local ownership, and help keep forests standing.
Finally, Brazil believes that the UNFF 21 should also recognize the effective forest policies, most address differentiated impacts on the I thank the representative of Brazil.
I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom to be followed by Japan.
United Kingdom.
Thank you, Chair.
The United Kingdom welcomes the country led initiative led by Turkey and commends its strong focus on integrated fire management, including on the role of science and community engagement.
We particularly value the initiative's recognition that effective fire management spans prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, and that fire can play an ecological role in some ecosystems when managed appropriately.
We support the clear call for collaboration and the positioning of this initiative within existing UN frameworks and its explicit recognition of the FAO Global Fire Management Hub as a central coordination platform within the UN system.
As follow up actions are considered, it is important that these build on and strengthen existing mechanisms to avoid duplication and maintain clarity of roles and mandates across institutions.
The UK welcomes the strong emphasis on fire prevention, early warning, community engagement, and science based approaches rather than suppression alone.
Attention needs to be given to regional cooperation interoperability, including voluntary guidelines and protocols to address transboundary fire risks.
We also value the initiatives acknowledgment of existing global processes and building on what already exists.
Turning to the Vienna call to action for a sustainable forest based bioeconomy, the UK welcomes the clarity and focus of its five priority actions, spirit of collaboration and the emphasis on sustainable forest management.
We particularly welcome its recognition that forest based bioeconomy pathways sit within wider land use systems.
Creating a sustainable supply of wood and non wood forest products must tackle trade offs between land use and management objectives, and it requires integrated planning.
We support the call to actions explicit commitment to its I do apologize.
I thank the representative of the UK.
I now give the floor to the representative of Japan to be followed by the representative of Guyana.
Japan, you have the floor.
Thank you, Chair.
Japan welcome the Austria's CRI related to forestry based bioeconomy.
Japan has joined as a partner country and last September, Japan held the International Symposium in Tokyo with here, focusing on the wide potential of de utilization.
This symposium brought together experts such as the architects, doctors, and the musician.
We discussed a wide ranging possibilities of with the utilization, not only as a building material, but also its contribution to improving human health and the quality of life.
Sustainable utilization contributed to global forest goal three and Japan believe it's important to engage stakeholders from a wide range of sectors while taking into account valuable good such as health and the quality of life.
Thank you.
Max.
I thank the representative of Japan.
I'll give the floor to the representative of Guyana to be followed by Finland.
Thank you Chair.
As one of the world's most highly forested countries maintaining approximately 85% forest cover with very low deforestation rates, Guyana continues to demonstrate that standing forests can support both environmental integrity and economic progress.
Guyana wishes to highlight recent progress under its low carbon development strategy 2030, through which forests remain the foundation of the country's climate finance architecture, and sustainable development pathway.
Its jurisdictional forest carbon program under the ART standard, Guyana has established one of the world's leading models for generating high integrative carbon credits from standing forests while ensuring benefits for indigenous peoples and local communities.
Revenues from climate finance are being invested in national development priorities, including renewable energy resilient infrastructure, indigenous community development, sustainable livelihoods, and forest monitoring systems.
Emergent issues include the need for greater alignment between climate flag finance, biodiversity finance, and sustainable forest management framework to ensure that countries maintaining standard forests are adequately supported.
Guyana Forest further emphasizes the importance of technological innovation, including satellite monitoring, digital MRV systems, and data transparency in strengthening sustainable forest governance.
Mr.
Chair, Guyana remains committed to international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and practical partnerships that advance the objectives of the UN strategic plan for forests and the broader sustainable development agenda.
I thank you.
I thank the Representative of Guyana.
I now give the floor to the representative of Finland to be followed by the representative of Spain.
Mr.
Chair, Excellency distinguished delegates.
Finland, thanks for the opportunity to speak under this agenda item.
Our statement is fully in line with the European Union statement.
At the national level, Finland advances to global forest goals primarily through the implementation of our national forest strategy, which aims to ensure that forests are used in a sustainable way while promoting competitiveness, biodiversity, and the renewal of the forest sector.
The focus on SFM, innovation, and ecosystem services aligns strongly with the objectives of the UNSBF.
Forest sector dominates the Finnish bioeconomy like forests dominate our landscape.
Finland's dedicated bioeconomy strategy seeks to double the value added of Finland's bioeconomy through sustainable circular and innovation driven use of renewable resources while supporting our national target of climate neutrality by 2035.
Forests are central to this vision and to the reduction of dependency from non renewable materials.
We warmly thank the UNFF Secretariat and the organizers of the country led initiatives for their commitment.
We particularly highlight the Austrian CLI and the Vienna C for action.
FinT was the co convener of the summit and we hope that the Vienna Co for action will be reflected in the omnibus resolution.
FinT also wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution of two key CLI focusing on forest fires.
We welcome continued international dialogue on advancing effective wildlife management approaches.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Finland.
I now give the floor to the representative of Spain to be followed by the representative of South Africa.
I give the floor to Spain.
Distinguished Chair, distinguished delegates.
Spain aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and its 27 member states.
We're grateful to Austria, Turkey, and Morocco for their CLIs.
It is an honor to today announce our voluntary national contributions.
Spain has a long history with forests that is reflected in the richness and diversity of our forests.
These forests provide essential ecosystem services and contribute to the livelihoods of rural communities.
However, we are aware of the challenges.
Climate change and other global changes threaten our forests and the services that they provide in recent years.
Spanish forests have suffered wildfires, droughts, and the gradual abandonment of land.
The strategic plan for forests and the Global Forest goals constitute a fundamental framework.
They guide collective action towards sustainable forest management and action towards more resilient forests overall.
Spain's forest policies are in line with these global framework.
The national contributions that today we are presenting include flagship initiatives in the field of integrated wildfire management.
These initiatives strengthen the resilience of our forests against climate change.
The fourth cycle of the National Forest Inventory recently concluded has increased the information available on our forests and improved its quality.
Moreover, nature based solutions and forest restoration are pivotal to our work.
These endeavors have served to prevent torrential flooding such as that seen in Valencia in 2024.
This work has helped us to reduce degradation processes in the Mareno Lagoon basin.
Finally, we've included actions which improve the governance of forest genetic resources and actions which help the training of future forestry professionals.
The microphone has been cut off.
I thank the Representative of Spain.
I now give the floor to the Representative of South Africa to be followed by Canada.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
My delegations would like to welcome the statements and reports by Austria, Turkey, and Morocco on the CLS that they hosted.
I would like to specifically thank the government of Austria for inviting South Africa to co chair this groundbreaking initiative on forest based bioeconomy approaches in support of the work of the forum.
Forests and woodlands cover approximately 41% of Southern Africa's land area and 55% of Africa's forest cover.
These resources are diverse, ranging from tropical moist forests to dry deciduous mymbo woodlands, as well as planted forest among other forest types.
These forests are not just biological assets, but the lifeblood of our rural communities, providing food biodiversity conservation, wood energy, and climate resilience for the millions of rural communities.
Achieving the global forest goals require regional and international cooperation to this and South Africa together with other Sect member states in a collaborative effort and advancing South South cooperation has been engaged in several initiatives towards strengthening our contribution and contributions to the achievement of the global forest goals.
This includes amongst others, the Myomba Woodlands Initiative and the Sec Integrated Fire Management to address preparedness and response to devastating effects of wildland fires across common borders.
These actions are anchored on regional Forest.
I do apologize.
I thank the representative of South Africa.
I now give the floor to the representative of Canada to be followed by India.
Canada, you have the floor.
Thank you to all the leads for the different CLIs.
We really appreciate your efforts.
With respect to the background paper, we want to recognize the concerns on the timing and resourcing for CLIs and would support a recommendation for improved coordination on that front.
With respect to the Co on bioeconomy, we were pleased to attend the summit and to lend support to the Vienna call for action.
At the summit, Canada shared the importance of the forest bioeconomy for our domestic goal of increasing home building, prioritizing the use of wood and modern methods of construction rooted in sustainability.
And you can hear more about our efforts in tomorrow's site event.
On Wildlife Fire, since 2019, the government of Canada has committed over $1 billion to strengthening national wildfire resilience and enhance the management of wildland fire across the country.
But we also see international cooperation as vital, including through the Global Fire Management Hub, the Cananascas Wildland Fire Charter, and the Istanbul Report on Integrated Fire Management.
We support referencing the CLI outcomes in the UNFF 21 resolution as others have proposed.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I thank the Representative of Canada.
I now give the floor to the Representative of India to be followed by Togo.
Thank you, Chair.
We commend the valuable contributions made by the CLIs hosted by Morocco, Tokyo, Austria in support of the work of the UNSPF.
We appreciate the initiative led by Turkey focusing on forest fire preparedness, innovative technologies, and sustained forest management, which highlights the growing need for integrated fire management approaches and strengthen institutional international cooperation in the face of increasing wildfire risks.
Wildfires pose a major threat to biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the livelihoods of forest dependent communities, particularly in the context of climate change.
India strengthens its approach through integrated fire management, encompassing prevention, early warning, preparedness, response, and post fire restoration.
We appreciate Morocco's CLI, which emphasized community based forest management, forest financing, technology and innovation.
We further appreciate Austria's leadership in advancing sustainable forest management bioeconomy approaches.
We encourage continued support for such country led initiatives, particularly through promoting capacity building, technology transfer, and exchange of best practices among countries.
Thank you, share.
I thank the representative of India.
Now I give the floor to Togo, to be followed by the Russian Federation.
Chair, Excellency's distinguished guests.
Togo thanks the Secretary of the Forum for organizing this 21st session.
We commend the quality of our discussions.
For my country, forests are much more than a natural heritage.
They are a pillar of climate resilience, a refuge for biodiversity, and an ocean a great source of livelihood for many rural communities.
Protecting them is inextricably linked to the SDGs.
For that reason, Togo has made restoration of its forest cover a national priority.
Our ten year program is the manifestation of a clear political will reversing degradation and ushering in sustainable and inclusive development.
We reaffirm our commitment the global forest goals, particularly one, three, and five, and we commend Morocco's initiatives as well as that of Turkey and Austria to ensure the sustainable management of forests.
We call for increased support to be given to countries with low forest cover and arid zones.
Togo commends the United Nations decade for afforestation 2017, 2036, and we support the 2030 goals, but challenges remain Herculeean.
International cooperation must be increased.
That is vital.
Developing countries need more predictable and more equitable access to climate finance and to green technologies and techniques.
Protecting forests is a moral imperative, a duty that we have to future generations.
Togo reaffirms its resolve to act and calls upon all partners to pool their efforts to preserve this common good.
I thank you.
Thank the representative of Togo.
I now give the floor to the Russian Federation to be followed by Switzerland.
We thank the speakers and we've taken note about the CLAs of Morocco, Turkey, and Austria.
I wish to thank Turkey for spotlighting attention on forest fires.
And the context of the European Year of the Forest for 2025, we believe Turkey's CLI is a logic continuation of the CLI of India in 2023.
Furthermore, this experience is a contribution to Brazil's initiative, which we support on comprehensive fire management, which, uh was discussed.
We believe that this experience is also a contribution to the FAO in terms of fighting forest fires.
We underscore the importance of continuing cooperation with the UN FAO and UNEP and other interested organizations in terms of forest fire management under UN auspices.
Russia took part in all of the aforementioned measures.
The Russian Federation has doubled its financing on forest fire fighting, which is a large share of our budget.
What's more, measures to develop technology and ensure information systems can be spread in the world, including with the support of China, which has made contributions there.
I thank you I thank the representative of the Russian Federation.
I now give the floor to the representative of Switzerland to be followed by New Zealand.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues.
We've all observed that this forum between UNFF 20 and 2021 demonstrated an extraordinary level of activity and increased its visibility by responding to urgent forest topics well above and beyond business as usual.
Switzerland had the privilege to participate in two really outstanding CLIs, namely on wildfire and forest based bioeconomy.
We also consider the third theme on restoration to reflect global priority.
We would take this opportunity to thank and congratulate both the countries who took initiative and the UNFF Secretariat and organizations of the CPF that supported the CLIs for this high performance, particularly given these times of budget and personnel shortages.
You've set the bar high.
We would thus hope that reporting from this session would not preempt any future needs and inspiration by member states.
Having multiple country led initiatives, if countries come forward with resources and also support the participation of the UNFF Secretariat should in principle be possible and could be addressed.
We would therefore recommend in the reporting for this session that we further encourage countries to come forward with CLIs accompanied by the standard language of subject to the availability of financial resources.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Switzerland.
I now give the floor to the Representative of New Zealand to be followed by Ghana.
Thank you, Chair.
The CLI is organized since the 20th session of the forum, and we thank Austria, Morocco, and Turkea for their leadership in these country led initiatives.
We encourage the Secretariat to remain focused on optimizing its use of limited resources.
We see great value in the CLIs as they directly contribute to the global forest goals, the SDGs, and to raising the profile of forests globally.
Have just one observation to make on the CLIs for consideration.
New Zealand would be a little bit cautious about setting a specific limit on the number of CLIs per year, including because this could have the unintended outcome of countries pursuing activities in forums other than UNFF.
Recognize concerns about resourcing, but instead, member states could perhaps be encouraged to engage proactively and early with the Secretariat on their planned initiatives to mutually explore how CLIs can be resourced and delivered within existing capacity.
We would not want to inadvertently stop the valuable work being progressed through the CLIs.
Thank you very much.
Merci.
I thank the Representative of New Zealand.
I now give the floor to Ghana.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Ghana is pleased to announce its updated VNCs under the Global Forest goals.
As part of these commitments, Garner aims to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by approximately 8.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent to major ReD plus initiatives, including the Forestry Commission, Tallow Oil Red Plus Program, and Ghana Share Landscape Emission Reductions Program.
Ghana also plans to restore 720,000 hectaas of degraded forest through reforestation, the Tonda System, you focus reforestation programs, and national tree planting campaigns.
Additionally, Ghana will expand community resource management areas that Kris, strengthen sustainable forest management across protected areas.
Mobilize approximately $205.8 million from climate finance, carbon markets, and strategic partnerships to support sustainable forest management.
Ghana remains firmly committed to sustainable forest management, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and strengthened international cooperation towards the achievement of global forest goals.
I thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I thank the representative of Ghana.
Allow me now to give the floor to the representative of the women's major group as the last speaker here.
I will give the floor to the Director of the Secretariat to briefly touch on some initiatives there.
Thank you.
Hi.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
We thank the UNFF Secretariat and member states and the European Union for their support enabling us to attend and participate to this forum and intersectional meeting.
As part of the women group, we are As part of the women group, we are committed to human and environmental rights of women.
With this regard, we would like to emphasize on the fact that rubal women must be recognized not merely as beneficiary of forest policies, but as an essential actors in ecosystem protection and in the transition toward a just sustainable green economy.
The Country led initiative by Morocco allowed to share and learn about the best local practices in sustainable forest management, yet there is a limited participation of women in existing forest governance bodies and their actual representation remain very low.
Climate change drought, environmental degradation, and market instability have severely affected women led cooperatives and some cooperatives have merely disappeared and shifted toward low income informal activities.
There is also growing concern that industrialization of the argon value chain may marginalize traditional women knowledge and reduce their control over local production.
With this regard to the country led initiative, we strongly recommend for UNFF 21.
On the discussion on community based forest management, we should promote women participation in forest governance with introducing mandatory quota for women in local forest governance body and develop sex deagggregated data system at all levels of forest policies.
Discussion on technological innovation should reduce the digital divide by These are the I do apologize, my dear fellow countrywoman, to cut you off, but if you'll allow me, I'll now give the floor to the director of the Secretariat for a word on some initiatives.
I just want to clarify something very quickly about resources in relation to the CLIs.
We have the guidelines that you have given to us to follow in terms of organizing the CLIs.
And according to this guideline, It's the country that organize the initiative that pay for the participation of the Secretariat.
When I hear within the limited resources, it may be the resources of the country organizing, it will never be the resources of the Secretariat because no resource has been dedicated for our participation to the country led initiative.
You want because also we notice that the guidelines seem a bit to be broad sometime in some of the items.
During the review of the international arrangement of forests, that would be a great opportunity also to revisit this guideline and to really decide what you want.
But for now, we have never dedicated any resource for our participation to the CLI.
Thank you.
Mercy.
Thank you, dear Director of the Secretariat.
I now invite the forum to begin its consideration of agenda item three C entitled Contributions of and Enhanced Cooperation with Partners to achieving the thematic priorities and its sub items, which are found in the program.
And I would invite miss Barbara Tavora Jen Chill of the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Force to introduce Secretariat note E slash n dot 18 slash 2026 slash three under item three C and its sub items miss Tavar, you have the floor.
Thank you very much.
And you pronounce my name perfectly.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I am honored to present the note by the Secretariat slash cn dot 18 slash 2026 slash three on the contributions of and enhanced cooperation with partners to achieve the UNFF 21 thematic priorities.
The notes.
The note contains updates on contributions and activities of the forest partners since UNF 20th session, namely the collaborative partnership on forests and the implementation of the partnerships work plan, interactions with and activities of forest related regional and sub regional entities, major groups and other stakeholders and the implementation of their work plan, as well as conclusions and proposals on the way forward.
Regarding the collaborative partnership on forests, the partnership continued to enhance cooperation, coordination, coherence, and synergies among its member organizations.
In line with Section C of EcoSc resolution 2024 slash five, related to the partnership, CPF undertook a number of activities, including assessments of the CPF joint initiatives and consideration of options to further strengthen collaboration within the partnership.
It also organized a virtual briefing for members of the forum in preparation for UNFF 21 and continued to update its dedicated website among other efforts.
The CPF also advanced the implementation of 13 joint initiatives across a range of key thematic areas in support of the global forest goals.
In addition, it is supporting two collaborative initiatives in relation to the UN decade on ecosystem restoration and UN red, and is developing two new joint initiatives on forest and jobs and on planted forests.
The CPF further coordinated activities and events in the context of major forest related meetings and conferences, including UNFF 20, CPD Star 27, UNFCCC Cop 30, Sites Cop 20, and a workshop on policy coherence for countries in Southern Africa.
Further updates will be provided by the CPF chair during the course of the current session.
Regarding regional and sub regional entities, the Secretariat continued to interact with the forum's regional and sub regional partners.
The UNFF director addressed via videolink several of FAO's regional Forestry Commissions, highlighting the outcomes of the 20th session of the forum.
The role of forests in advancing sustainable development and tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, and the need for adequate, timely and innovative financing for forest related projects.
Information on countries and organization led initiatives was shared with the forest region and subregional partners and several entities attended the events and offered insights, sharing their regional and subregional perspectives.
Regional and sub regional partners continue to play an active role in providing analysis about forests in different regions.
As an example, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, UNEC released the 2025 Forest profile for Europe, North American Caucuses, and Central Asia.
And the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, also known as Forest Europe, just launched the latest edition of the State of Europe's Forests jointly prepared and published by Forest Europe's Liaison Unit, Sweden, UNECE and FAO.
Regarding major groups and other stakeholders, the UNFF Secretariat continued to strengthen engagement with these important partners, including the private sector, via active involvement in intersectional activities and implementation of Eksook resolution 2024 slash 15.
The Secretariat also initiated a capacity building project on innovative and digital technologies for forest monitoring and data sharing by indigenous peoples, women and young people.
It also organized the capacity building workshop to strengthen major groups capacity to contribute to the UNSPF implementation, mobilize financial resources for SFM, and advanced 2030 agenda at all levels.
This workshop took place in March 2026.
Through the international arrangement on forests, major groups internal coordination mechanism, major groups focused on policy coherence and local level implementation of the global Forest goals.
They developed a comprehensive fundraising strategy and pursued diverse funding sources through partnerships with the private sector and foundations like Ves Tiftung and Prince Albert Foundation.
Major group and other stakeholders also participated in the C all on forest fires that took place in Türkiye and the Global Summit on Sustainable Forest based bioeconomy that took place in Austria this year.
Finally, the forum may wish to consider the following proposals contained in the note by the Secretariat to welcome the progress made by the Collaborative Partnership on Forest and its members in implementing the relevant provisions of Economic and Social Council Resolution 2024 slash 15.
Take note of the partnership's work plan for 2025, 2028 and its joint initiatives, and invite the partnership and its members to continue their efforts to respond to the provisions of the resolution and to take concrete steps to accelerate progress towards the achievements of the global Forest goals by 2030 and to report on progress to the forum at its 22nd session.
Moreover, we propose that the regional and sub regional forest related entities are invited to consider integrating the United Nations Strategic Plan forests and the global forest goals into their work plans.
Finally, to support enhancing the capacity of major groups and other stakeholders to conduct knowledge sharing and advocacy and disseminate information on the strategic plan for forests and the global forest goals, including their implementation at the community level, and invite member states in a position to do so to contribute to the trust fund for the United Nations Forum on Forests to implement the fundraising strategy of the major groups and other stakeholders.
I thank you very much for your attention.
Madam.
Thank you, miss Tav Jan Chill.
I thank the representative of the Secretary of the United Nations Forum on Force.
I now invite the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Force, Mr.
Jen Wu, to make a statement on contributions to achieving the thematic priorities under sub item I sub item one of Agenda Item three C.
Mr.
Wu, you have the floor.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, dear colleagues.
It is an honor to address you on behalf of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
CPF thanks the Secretariat for the introductory note which contains the major work of the CPF in the past year.
The Global Forest Resource Assessment 25 shows that forests continued to be under significant pressure.
Every year, 10.9 million hectas of forest lost to deforestation, 41 million hectas affected by past and diseases, and another 127 million hectares burned by fire every year.
Under current climate trajectories, the recovery of this lost forest is compromised.
Despite this, there is clear global commitment and momentum to accelerate action, including the UN decade on ecosystem restoration, the UN decade for forestation reforestation, and a series of initiatives by the UNF Ale C Cop 30 presidency.
Regional and national initiatives from the Great Green War in Africa to China's three North Shelter Build Forest Program are also driving global momentum to build the global forest resource base.
For 25 years, the CPF has been an integral part and critical vehicle for the implementation of the IAF.
Collectively and individually, the CPF and its members also contribute to many additional global, regional and national initiatives that are driving progress on the global forestry agenda.
The CPF Work P 25 28 is more focused and efficient implementing targeted activities that leverage collaboration and knowledge generation for greater impact.
Comprehensive update on the implementation progress is available online.
Within this context, I turn to CPF contribution to the global forest goals.
On goal one, CPF members are advancing core workstreams through initiatives such as Cp 30 Presidency Roadmap, the Global Fire Management Hub, and the UN Decade on ecosystem restoration, scaling a practical solution to reduce forest loss and reverse degradation worldwide.
CPF is also strengthening protection of primary forests by scaling sustainable finance, enhancing monitoring, and promoting inclusive management.
On goal three, CPF helps country to address illegal and unsustainable forest trade and also trade in forest species.
Enhance compliance and build national capacity through contribution to fora such as the Cary Global webinars and Global Summit, as presented by the distinguish delegate from Austria, the CPA has been working with members and partners to advance sustainable forest based by economy approaches and help unlock new pathways for innovation, value chains, and green jobs.
On Global Forest five, CPF is advancing the global core set of forest related indicators to strengthen coordination, reporting, and data sharing, and support countries with transparent data for decision making.
CPS workshops in Mozambique, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia bring together key stakeholders to identify coherent policy pathways for sustainable forest management.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, as a dynamic partnership that responds to the emerging priorities of member states, the CPF is focused on delivering practical and impactful support where it is needed most because forests are not only part of the solution, they are essential to our shared future.
Thank you.
Mercy, Mr.
Yu.
Thank you, Mr.
Wu, the Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Force.
I now invite the focal point of the Children and Youth major Group, miss Ana Alice Tavares, to report on the outcome of the recent expert group meeting.
Miss Tavares, you have the floor.
Thank you, Chair.
This is Mia Crawford.
I'm the focal point for farmers and major group.
But nevertheless, I'm very happy to be able to present a joint statement from the International Regional Forest Major Groups internal coordination mechanism.
And I thank the UNFF Secretariat, Barbara Tabora, for presenting the note.
We are very grateful for UNF Secretariat for their continued support to major groups and other stakeholders, in particular, our focal point, who we have a lot of contact with over the years.
Mr.
Chair, I've been involved in the UNFF process since its inception and I am extremely proud that over the last year, major groups and other stakeholders have come together in this coordinating mechanism to really work together and strengthen how we work across constituencies, but also across regions to enable more coordinated, inclusive, and consistent engagement of major groups and other stakeholders to this forum.
Guided by the UNFF 19 omnibus resolution, we have adopted a work plan, we have developed project proposals, and we have also developed a strategy to mobilize resources for collective action.
We were very pleased to be able to come together on the 25th to 27th of March in Bangkok for the capacity building workshop and that really enable us to share experience of how we can contribute to the UN Strategic Plan for Forest, mobilizing financial resources in these very challenging time, but also be, um, kind of team up to be able to have more coordinated messages also to the implementation of the 2030 agenda Paris Agreement and the CBD King Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The workshop also enabled us to set our priorities with the limited resources that we have at hand for this session, but also for coming years.
The detailed report of this capacity building workshop is on the UNFF 21 website and I encourage you all to have a look at that.
The internal coordination mechanism has also actively engaged with stakeholders beyond this forum.
We are actively collaborating with stakeholders in other forest related processes, including the HLPF, the UNFCCC, and CBD.
We were very happy to be included and work with CPF members on the Forest Pavilion at Cop 30 in Blem.
We would like to extend our thanks to CPF for including us in this forest Pavilion.
In fact, our members in our networks think that this was such a success that we would like to see the Forest Pavilion be replicated at other cops moving forward, but not only for climate, but also for CBD under biodiversity.
It is a platform that brings member states and stakeholders together with international organizations.
Another thing that we did last year was also to organize a global webinar ahead of CPT subst to discuss the Forest Program and the CPT and its future.
We have also been actively engaged in the country and organizational led initiatives that was helped since UNF 20, the three that we just heard presentation of a short while ago.
We thank all of the member states who have hosted these initiatives for involving major groups and other stakeholders in a meaningful way.
We really see this is a meaningful collaboration and we hope that this can continue We have, as you can hear, achieved a lot this year and a short statement does not give justice to progress and that's why we have also developed a progress report for further information.
Finally, we are deeply grateful to Germany and Canada for their continued financial support to major groups and other stakeholders for our engagement and participation at UNFF session.
But we would also like to thank other member states that have reached out and have been so interesting to learn about our developments and our progress, and we hope that you will be wanting to hear about our progress in the future.
Chair, we ask of you to ensure that the doors remain open holders during this session.
We also ask of you that our progress report is shared to all participants.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Miss Mia Crawford and apologies for that error.
So you're representing the Farmers Major Group? Well, I don't So to begin the consideration of our agenda item, I give the floor to Madam representative of the Secretariat.
Distinguished representative of major group since you refer to the report and ask us to really share the report with everyone.
And before you hear you also talk about asking to upload the report.
I just want to say the following.
As an important partner in the work of the forum, the Secretariat has always attached great importance to the effective engagement of the major groups and other stakeholders in all stages of the work of the forum.
In this context, promoting participation of major group in intersectional activities of the forum, mobilizing resources for the activities, and participation in forum sessions and intersectional meetings through inclusion of the major group components in all secretaria funding proposal to Donald's, processing the travel of their representative to UNFS sessions, organizing and providing logistical and substantive support to the intersectional meeting.
Since last session, the forum, the Secretariat continued to engage extensively and in good faith with the representative of the major group and other stakeholders and organized the capacity building workshop of the major groups in Bangkok last March, the report of which is already posted on the UNFF web page.
On September 25, 2025, major group also organized a global webinar on understanding the CBD Forest biodiversity agenda, stakeholder perspective, and the report of which is also available on the UNFF 21 web page.
In line with its mandate, the Secretariat should ensure that documentation associated with the forum appropriately reflects the agreed mandate and relevant provision of the resolution adopted by member state.
This is critical to support coherence, clarity, and institutional continuity across forum processes.
The Secretariat objective has always been constructive and forward looking.
Considering the above, we are consulting with the relevant major group representative on another input and have made some suggestions.
We hope to conclude on this matter soon.
The proposed adjustments are intended to strengthen the alignment of the structure of the input with the forum's resolution, thereby facilitating its future use by major group and other stakeholder in reporting to the forum.
The Secretariat deeply values the longstanding contribution of major group and other stakeholders and remains fully committed to promoting the effective engagement in the work of the forum and preserving a relationship based on mutual respect, transparency, and constructive dialogue.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for that information.
And for underscoring the fact that all voices must be heard for a force.
I now invite the forum to begin the general discussion of Item three C, contributions of and enhanced cooperation with partners to achieving the thematic priorities and its sub items one, two, and three.
Delegations wishing to take the floor are invited to press the button on their microphone consoles.
Delegations are kindly requested to strictly adhere to the time limits of 4 minutes for statements on behalf of a group of states and 3 minutes for statements by individual delegations.
Delegations speaking on behalf of a group are kindly asked to inform the Secretariat in the room to be given priority in the list.
To assist speakers in managing their time, the light on the microphone will start blinking with the remaining 30 seconds before the time limit is reached to indicate that the speaker should start concluding the statement.
Nonetheless, I would like to request speakers to deliver statements at a normal speaking speed for the purposes of interpretation.
Longer versions of statements may be circulated.
It may be sent for circulation through E statements.
I give the floor to Cyprus, who will speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states to be followed by Peru.
Cyprus, you have the floor.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
I'm honored to speak on behalf of the EU and its 27 member states.
The EU and its member states thanks the Secretariat for the information note and the CPF for the virtual briefing ahead of UNFF 21.
First, we would like to emphasize the crucial role of the CPF to assist members in implementing the UNSPF and the recommendations from the midterm review of the IAF.
We've noticed a welcomed uptick in CPF activities and visibility in the last two years.
Notably, we welcome the FAO and UFS role in Austria's country led initiative on sustainable forest based bioeconomy, which is a blueprint for others to follow.
Last year, several CPF members took an active role in shaping the program of the UN Forest Pavilion at Cop 30, making it a collective space to showcase global forest actions such as the collective launch of the Blem call to action for the Congo Passin Forest.
The CPFs joint statement in plenary was well noted as a first in history.
Given the UNP, Secretariat vice chairmanship of CPF, we expect a continued high profile of forest NSFM at CP 31 and encourage all players involved to use the momentum of CP 13.
We welcome the ongoing update of the CPD's expanded program of work on forest biodiversity, which should contribute to integrating biodiversity in forestry and help achieving the global forest goals as well as the targets of the KM TBF.
As an example of regional collaboration, we welcome the ongoing work of Forest Eureu and their latest publication of the State of Europe Forest.
The EU welcomes the continued input from major groups and other stakeholders, notably the active involvement in codes, the CPD St 27, and the Cp 30 contribute to lively debates.
Strategic communication and developing a fundraising strategy were two items at the latest capacity building workshop, key topics for the UNFF.
Finally, we note with concern that financial and travel limitations have constantly reduced the number of major groups participants being able to attend UNFF sessions.
In light of the current situation, let's ensure the CPF can continue its work.
And that the next four years are filled with action to advance SFM, protect forest, and halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation.
The omnibus resolution should welcome the work of the CPF and its members.
I do apologize to the representative of Cyrus speaking on behalf of the European Union, the microphones being cut off.
I I give the floor to the representative of Peru to be followed by Malaysia.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Peru is grateful for the report on the intersectional activities of the CPF undertaken by regional and sub regional organizations and other stakeholders.
We commend the substantive contribution they've made to the implementation of the strategic plan.
My delegation wishes to take this opportunity to share with the forum updated information on our national voluntary contribution and our follow up on the thematic priorities for this session.
Peru presented its voluntary national contribution for this reporting cycle as an expression of its commitment to the implementation of the strategic plan and to the global forest goals, particularly goals one, three, and five.
Among the progress made, we can point to the fact that Peru has been championing the formalization and the deeding on some land extending over 2.8 million hectas in native communities in the Amazon region.
This action is particularly important in territories exposed to pressures linked to illicit activities such as illegal logging and other illegal economies that affect forest ecosystems.
Moreover, Peru promotes the assignation of rights across more than 10 million hectas that are under forest concessions, such as use concession contracts for forest use particularly for degraded land in the Amazon region with a view to restoration.
More than 4,000 replanted forest areas have been earmarked for conservation, protection, and restoration.
We wish to urge member states and relevant stakeholders and partners to continue to strengthen their contributions, making these transfer into verifiable progress that can be measured on the ground at territorial level, particularly in benefit for developing communities which depend on forests.
I thank the representative of Peru I give the floor to the representative of Malaysia to be followed by Mexico.
Okay.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Militia affirms that the UNSPF 2017, 2000 and then remains a vital and comprehensive framework in advancing SFM and safeguarding global forest resources.
We remain firmly committed to achieving the global forest goals, particularly goal one, three, and five in accordance with our national circumstances and priorities.
At the and the regional level, Malitia actively enhances cooperation through platforms such as ACN, Asia Pacific Network for SFM and Rehabilitation, APF net APAC expert group on illegal logging and associated threat, International Tropical Timber Organization, ITTO and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization, EFOCO.
Malaysia underscores the important role of the CPF in supporting the development and implementation of the global forest goals amongst the tropical forest countries.
We encourage the CPF members, including DEF, FAO and UNDP to continue mobilizing resources and providing targeted technical assistance, including supports for participation in key global dialogues.
Finally, Malaysia encouraged strengthened coordination and synergy amongst CPF members to ensure that the supports remain inclusive, transparent, and responsive to national priorities.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Malaysia.
I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico to be followed by the representative of the United Kingdom.
Thank you, Chair.
Mexico recognizes the work of the Collaborative Partnership on forests in the implementation of its work plan 2025 to 2028, particularly in terms of technical coordination and increasing international cooperation.
We note with interest the participation of the foreign Secretariat the meetings of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission and in those of the North American Forest Commission of the FAO.
Mexico is currently holding the chair of the latter for 2025 to 2027.
We remain committed to the global forest goals and the thematic priorities for this session.
Regionally, we continue to have active technical cooperation with the United States and Canada through trilateral working groups focusing on wildfire management, forest genetic resources, forest health, forest monitoring, forestry, urban forests, and fighting against illegal logging in Aa.
Moreover, we have a forest communicators network.
Focusing on increasing outreach and public awareness raising regarding sustainable forest management.
Mexico supports measures proposed to expedite the implementation of the strategic plan and the achievement of the global forest goals.
We particularly support increasing technical work and the coordination work done by the collaborative partnership on forests as well as contributions to the Foreign Trust Fund to support its activities.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Mexico.
I now give the floor to the UK to be followed by Congo.
Thank you, Chair.
The UK hugely values CPF important role in improving coordination across the multilateral system, as well as practical efforts to strengthen the evidence base, improve forest data and reporting, and build links between forests, climate, biodiversity, and food systems.
We especially appreciate the delivery focused work on wildfires, restoration, and sustainable wood value chains.
As co chairs of the forests and Climate Leaders Partnership alongside Guyana, the UK was pleased to support the Cop 30 launch of Building for Forests, focused on sustainable timber and construction, working with partners, including CPF members.
We also recognize the vital role of major groups and other stakeholders.
Partnerships across these constituencies are essential to address cross cutting issues like forests, water, and food security.
With this in mind, we welcome the forthcoming global assessment on forests, food security and nutrition.
As an FAO report on forest sustaining agriculture last year underscored, forests and trees are powerful, often undervalued allies of agriculture, food production, and security, including through their extensive role in replenishing watersheds.
The UK's recent nature security assessment is similarly clear that ecosystem degradation and collapse risks threaten our security and prosperity, including through impacts on food systems and supply chains.
It is for this reason vital that we recognize forests value as critical natural infrastructure for resilience security and growth.
The UK encourages CPFs continued efforts to accelerate delivery of the global forest goals.
In a year of meetings for all three RIO conventions, we would invite CPF to focus on ensuring forests are prominent at UNCBD and UNCCD cops, as well as CP 31 in Antalia.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of the UK.
Now I give the floor to the Representative of Congo, to be followed by the representative of Germany.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
We commend the fact that we've devoted an agenda item to the CPF regional and sub regional bodies, and the major group for technology transfer that is strategically important for the future of the world's forest.
The Republic of Congo benefits largely from these initiatives and here we wish to thank UN system bodies, technical and financial partners, international NGOs without, of course, forgetting our bilateral partners for their commitment to preserving forest ecosystems in the Congo Basin.
Partnerships and the contributions they make have proven to be effective in proving the traceability of natural resources and ensuring they're legally managed, as well as the sustainable management of forests, the fight against illegal exploitation, and also improving forestation and reforestation using forestry techniques.
The Republic of the Congress of the view that achieving the global forest goals demands international cooperation, which is stepped up and based on solidarity, policy coherence, technology transfer and sharing of experience.
We also commend the crucial role played by the UN system bodies as well as regional and sub regional bodies, namely in the Congo Basin.
These partners have through CP 30 allowed visibility to be lent to the second largest environmental of the world.
Technological transfer must be a reality for developing forest nations.
Access to monitoring technology, restoration, transformation technology is vital as is access to the processing of forests and that technology.
That's vital to reconcile job creation, forest conservation, and economic development.
Thank you.
I thank the Minister from the Republic of the Congo.
I now give the floor to Germany to be followed by the representative of Togo.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
Germany supports the EU statements.
The role of CPF is implementing the United Nations Strategy plan for forest cannot be supported strongly enough.
We are highly appreciated the CPFs dedicated work and we welcome the ambitious steps undertaken by the individual member organization to achieve the global forest goals by 2030.
The CPF played a prominent role at Cop 30 in Berlin, Brazil last year.
This helped to clearly raise the visibility and awareness of the UN SPF and forest related topics in the climate change action agenda.
Germany's International Climate Initiative supports CPF members in implementing innovative digital monitoring and traceability systems to make agriculture value change more sustainable.
Furthermore, we support the tropical forest forever facility, the turning the tide of deforestation initiative, the strategic outreach such as Cop 30 Forest Pavel, forest education, innovation and Forest based value change, and the FAO Global Fire Management Hub.
We also give our support to the indigenous people and local communities who are the major guardians of the world's forests.
Especially in view of the current geopolitical situation, we call on UNFF members.
Let us do everything to enable the CPF to successfully aim the global forest goals.
We have reached decissive point in UNFF history, starting to look at possible perspective beyond 2030.
At this point, it is more important than ever to ensure enhanced cooperation and inclusive and inclusive exchange with all the UNFF partners.
S.
I do apologize to you.
I thank Germany for that statement and I now give the floor to the representative of Togo to be followed by the representative of Slovakia.
Thank you, Chair.
Togo wishes to thank the Secretariat for its report and commends the progress made by the CPF, its members, and regional stakeholders to further work on the priorities for 2025, 2026.
We reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Strategic Plan on forests and the Global Forest goals one, three, and five.
We commend the joint initiatives undertaken in relation to wildfire management, forest education, and the sustainable bioeconomy.
These heed the specific needs of countries such as Togo.
We also welcome the role played by regional organizations in Africa and we call for better integration of the global forest goals into regional strategies and action plans.
Togo supports the active participation of the women and youth major group and local communities Their involvement is vital.
We encourage increased capacity building and the mobilization of resources, namely via the trust fund of the forum.
To conclude, we invite the forum to strengthen technical assistance to developing countries so that they can align national forestry policies with the global forest goals.
Two, foster experience sharing between regional commissions, particularly regarding bioeconomy and wildfires.
Three, organize a regional workshop for West Africa on access to sustainable forest financing.
Togo remains fully committed to working with all partners for sustainably managed forests which can serve the needs of our planet and our people.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Togo.
I now give the floor to the representative of Slovakia to be followed by Jamaica.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Slovakia aligns itself with a statement delivered by Cyprus on behalf of the EU and its member states.
At all levels, coherence is a key when fighting deforestation and forest degradation and promoting SFM, it's important to develop and implement coherent policies, plans, and actions related to forests and thus promote synergies and avoid fragmentation.
The UNFF should maintain its strategic position in this regard.
The CPF should continue to serve as a key partnership tasked with translating the UNSPF and global forest goals into concrete actions, effectively supporting countries in turning commitments into reality.
We support to continue a dialogue with the major groups and other relevant partners, including on how they see their role in implementing the UNSPF and the future work of the forum, taking into account the outcomes of the review process.
This is also why Slovakia has included also this year a youth delegate in its delegation at U NFF.
We stress the need to continue cooperating with FAO, also in the context of the need to further support and ensure due participation of regional forestry commissions in regional dialogues and implementation related to U NFF.
The same time, a collaboration with other regional organizations and processes such as UNECE and Forest Europe in Europe remains highly relevant.
I thank you.
Marcia.
I thank the Representative of Slovakia.
I now give the floor to the representative of Jamaica to be followed by the representative of China.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Jamaica appreciates the work of the CPF and the Secretariat and underscores the critical importance of partnerships in advancing sustainable forest management, especially for SIDS.
In Jamaica, partnerships have supported national efforts in forest restoration biodiversity conservation, forest fire management, and strengthening monitoring systems.
We commend the ongoing contributions of the CPF and other stakeholders in supporting countries through technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
Here we pause to thank the government of Canada for their support with the update of our forest fire management framework.
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, these partnerships have become even more vital.
Support is needed not only for immediate assessments, but also for long term restoration and resilience building within forest dependent communities.
Mr.
Chair, as Jamaica develops its forest sector plan 2026 to 2036, partnerships will be central to implementation.
The plan will emphasize cross sectoral collaboration, community based forest management, private sector engagement, and science based decision making.
We highlight the need for better alignment of partner support with national priorities, improved access to financing and technology transfer, expanded capacity building, particularly at the local and community levels.
We also stress that inclusive partnerships engaging communities, indigenous knowledge systems, and civil society are critical to achieving sustainable and resilient forest landscapes.
In closing, Jamaica reaffirms its commitment to strengthening collaboration and calls for deeper and more coordinated partnerships to support SIDs and achieving the global forest goals.
Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
I thank the representative of Jamaica.
I give the floor to the representative of China to be followed by the representative of China.
The IUCN Microphone for China, please.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
China very much appreciate the efforts made by CPI and Secretariat.
We have a long relationship, particularly with IPO and the World Bank.
China also has a long term with regional and sub regional organizations, particularly the APM NAT and Iba, whose head hold in Beijing.
We cooperate with the Asia Pacific Network for sustainable forest management and rehabilitation, which is APM NAT to promote sustainable forest management in the Asia Pacific region and reduce deforestation and forest degradation.
We launched the bamboo as a substitute for plastic initiative with the International bamboo and organization, which is called IBA to promote the efficient use of bamboo in area such as energy and construction.
We are confident we will work with AP CP members in the future for more constructive project and try to implement the global for goal in the near future.
Thank you very much.
I thank the representative of China.
I now give the floor to the representative of the IUCN to be followed by Forest Europe.
Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
It is an honor to address this forum on behalf of IACN and to report on the contribution of the Union towards the global forest goals.
At the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October 2025, IECN members adopted the union's program for 2026 to 2029, with forests remaining central to the program.
In this context, ICN wishes to highlight three areas particularly relevant to this session.
First, the primary and old growth forests receive significant attention with a clear call for their enhanced protection in support of the global Forest goal one.
These ecosystems remain underrepresented in global policy, inadequately monitored and insufficiently financed.
ICCNA is responding to address this through two complementary F supported initiatives, one global and one regional.
The global level, ISN is working with the UNFF Secretariat, FAO, and other partners to advance international action on primary forest and support countries in developing forest finance strategies.
At the regional level, programs in Mesoamerica, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific aim to improve management across more than 8 million hectares of protected areas and strengthen governance contributing to goals one and three.
Turning to forest landscape restoration, members reaffirm the need to scale up integrated efforts delivering for climate, biodiversity, and livelihood, central to global forest goals one and three.
At the global level, the Bond island marks its 15th anniversary this year with over 77 pledges totaling 257 million hectares.
At the regional level, at the country level support with the Germany and Switzerland, ICN coordinates a forest landscape restoration hub supporting seven countries in Africa and Latin America and implementing their restoration commitments.
ICN warmly welcome I do apologize that your time is up.
I thank the representative of the IUCN.
I now give the floor to Forest Europe to be followed by the representative of Economic Community of West African States.
Thank you, Chair, UNFF Secretary Excellency, Distinguished delegates and colleagues.
It's a great honor to be here today to reaffirm Forest Europe's support for the United Nations global Forest goals.
First Europe is a voluntary high level political process for dialogue cross sectoral and transboundary cooperation on forest and forestry in Europe.
For over three decades, Forest Europe has developed and improved its criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management, together with the United Nations bodies in Europe.
These indicators helps shape good policy decisions and provide a clear picture for the state of Europe's forests.
As mentioned by the Podium and the European Union, we have recently presented the State of Europe's Forest Report 2025 and are working on improvements for the coming reports.
The ministerial conference in Stockholm next month, we will focus on the pillars of sustainable forest management, how to finance biodiversity, wood building to add value to the wood value chain, and to store carbon in constructions, how to track the forest workforce of tomorrow, wildfire management, forests role in geopolitical preparedness, support to Ukraine in rebuilding its forest sector and more.
Forest Europe's goal is to ensure that sustainable forest management stays strong in facing global challenges contributing to the global forest goals.
Thank you.
I thank the Representative of Forest Europe.
I now give the floor to the economic community of West African states to be followed by NGO major Group.
Thank you, Mr.
Chair, Excellency' distinguished delegates.
Firstly, on behalf of the president of the Echoes Commission, I would like to express sincere appreciation to the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forest for the kind invitation extended to Ecores to partake in this important session, UNFF 21.
Distinguished delegates in West Africa, forest losses are estimated to have exceeded 80% over the past century.
According to UNEP, the annual rate of deforestation in West Africa is currently estimated at 2-3%, one of the highest rates in the world.
Nevertheless, the Ecoas region still possesses significant forest masses that require strengthened protection.
Excellencies, the ECS regional normative frameworks, notably the EchoS Forest Convergence Plan for the sustainable management and use of forest ecosystems in West Africa, the ECS Environment policy, ECAP and the ECS Regional Climate Strategy 2022 to 2030 are closely aligned with and contributes to the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forest 2017, 2030.
These frameworks collectively recognize forests as essential to sustainable development.
For ECOS, therefore, the implementation of the UN strategic plan for forests constitutes not only an environmental priority, but also a development governance and stability imperative.
Allow me to share a few key achievements in this regard of ECS as contribution at the regional level.
ECOS has undertaken the revision of the 2013 2023 Forest convergence plan in order to strengthen forest governance.
The draft revised plan is scheduled for validation 10-14 to June 2026, scheduled to hold in Guinea in Kankara Guinea.
Monitoring of forest areas has been strengthened communities as well as forestry professionals across Echoes region have benefited from targeted training and pilot projects aimed at forest conservation.
EchoS member states have committed to expanding protected areas by 30% by 2030.
Distinguished delegates in West Africa forests are increasingly linked to not only climate and livelihoods, but also to regional peace stability and security era I thank the representative of Ecowas.
I now give the floor to NGO major Group, who will be followed by the last speaker under this agenda point the Scientific and Technological Community major Group.
Thank you, Chair.
On behalf of the Forest S of Council, as part of the major groups, we really appreciate the statements that have been made by the CPF, rather the member states in support of the global forest goals.
In the same context, FSC would like to refer to a meeting of major groups in March in Bangkok, in which among other things, it recommended the creation of a chapter of forest certification bodies within and as a member of the larger major groups.
That recommendation is consistent with a resolution of the high level Panel of Forests, which had earlier recognized and recommended the need to expand and include other stakeholders beyond the original nine major groups in line with its 2030 agenda.
This should recognize and incorporate certification as a useful tool that directly addresses Global Forest goals one, two, and three, to which the Forest Stewardship Council fully subscribes.
Finally, and while we encourage countries to ratchet up their actions, we appreciate the very supportive statements that have been made by member states before us and thank the leadership of both the Bureau and the UN Eff Secretariat.
We thank you.
I thank the representative of that NGO.
The major group.
I now give the floor to the Scientific and Technogical Comm major Group, the last speaker under this agenda item.
Excellency.
My name is Valerie Reynoso and I'm the United Nations Permanent Representative and Executive Vice President and Legal Affairs of the Global Organization for Sustainable Development Goals Inc, New York based nonprofit organization committed to accelerating sustainable development.
Accordingly, our commitment aligns with the thematic priorities of the 21st session of the forum on forests, including strengthening cooperation, coordination and implementation of forest related commitments under the UN strategic plan for forests.
We would like to know if you could consider implementing our recommendations.
We urge the international community to advance sustainable development goal six, 12, and 15.
These SDGs are closely linked to political engagement and cross sectoral cooperation and are relevant to Global Forest goal one, which aims to reverse forest cover loss worldwide through sustainable forest management, including protection, restoration, afforestation and reforestation.
Thus increasing global forest area and enhancing ecosystem resilience.
Likewise, the UN strategic plan for forest further calls for halting deforestation, restoring degraded forests, and significantly increasing forest area globally by 2030, and it frames forest protection as a central pillar of global sustainable development.
We believe that the international community can meet these goals through enhanced policy and legal approaches grounded in community engagement, inclusive decision making and the meaningful participation of indigenous peoples, local communities and other relevant stakeholders.
This is particularly critical because despite the adoption of several forest governance frameworks and national policies, major implementation gaps persist.
Insufficient political coordination continues to remain one of the principal barriers to global Force goal one.
Strengthening the implementation of force legislation is a key area in this regard because although many countries have progressive forest laws, policies, and national forest strategies, enforcement remains inconsistent and weak.
Strengthening implementation of force legislation can be achieved by strengthening forest governance institutions, seeing that the UN I do apologize.
The microphone is being cut off.
I wish to thank the representative of the scientific and technological community major group.
They were the last speaker under this agenda item.
I wish to thank all speakers.
We have thus concluded our general discussion on Item three C with its three sub items.
I now invite the forum to begin its consideration of agenda item three E.
Implementation of the communication and outreach strategy of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017 to 2030, including activities regarding the International Day of Forests in 2026.
I now invite miss Daniella Synobad of the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests to present the activities for the International Day of Forest 2026 and the Global Forest Goals icons under this agenda item.
Miss Sinbad, you have the floor.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to provide an update on the communication and outreach activities of the UNFF Secretariat.
I'll be brief.
This year, I would like to highlight three main accomplishments, the integration of the redesign of the UNFF and Clearing House websites, the endorsement of the use of the global Forest call icons, and this year's observance of the International Day of Forests.
Please feel free to scan the QR code to access the website and follow along during the presentation.
The redesign of the UF website was much more than a communications exercise.
The website serves not only as a communication platform, but also as a repository of institutional memory, a policy resource, and a tool of transparency.
One of our main priorities was to better reflect the role of the UNF within the broader international arrangement of forests, while making the work of the forum and the Secretariat more visible and accessible.
A major achievement was the integration of the UNFF clearinghouse on forest financing into the same platform.
This creates a single entry point for users, improves usability, and reduces maintenance costs.
The websites have been integrated to a more secure and sustainable platform that complies with current UN accessibility standards.
The new platform includes improved access to news publications, events, official documents, including historical materials.
It also features a dedicated Global Forest goals microsite where users can access outreach materials and visual assets.
This segues very well to the global forest icons.
In response to member states call during the midterm review of the IAF to strengthen communication and raise aviity of the global forest goals, the Secretariat explored several visual approaches in collaboration with relevant UN departments.
Through this process, we identified the GFG icons originally developed by natural resources Canada, which provide a clear and compelling visual representation of the goals and already enjoy strong recognition amongst stakeholders.
The proposal to use these icons was presented to the UNF 21 Bureau, which concurred with their adoption.
Following the following consultations with Canada, the Secretariat received permission to use the icons across all UNFF communication and outreach platforms.
We would like to sincerely thank the UNF Bureau for endorsing the use of the icons, and of course, Canada for their support of making this possible.
This three represents an important step towards more consistent and recognizable communications on the GFGs of the UN Strategic n for Forests.
Finally, let me briefly highlight this year's observance of the International Day of Forests under the theme forests and economies.
The event held at UN headquarters brought together member states, CPF members, representative of major groups and other stakeholders as well as partners, both in person and virtually for a discussion on the economic value of forests and their contribution to sustainable development.
30 member states and organizations reaffirmed the central message.
Forests are not only environmental assets, they are also economic infrastructure, yet they remain significantly undervalued and under financed.
We were pleased to collaborate closely with FAO and another CPF members, and we look forward to further strengthen cooperation on future outreach efforts.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we look forward to continuing the communication activities of the Secretariat and count on your support.
Thank you.
Mercy Madame Thank you, miss Sinbad, for that presentation.
It is 6:07 P.M.
We have exceeded the time allotted to us by 7 minutes.
So allow me to thank the interpreters for their efforts.
So the general discussion of the Item three C will take place tomorrow morning.
So the forum will reconvene tomorrow morning again at 10:00 A.M.
In the same conference room to continue with its program of work.
The meeting is adjourned.