UNFF convenes 19th session to bolster global forest management

Jakarta—The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) kicked off its 19th session on Monday, May 6, at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event brought together international leaders, environmental experts, and policymakers to focus on sustainable forest management and expanding protected forest areas globally, the IISD reported.

Forests are critical in mitigating climate change, safeguarding biodiversity, and supporting the livelihoods of some of the world’s most impoverished communities. The five-day conference, running until May 10, aims to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges by harnessing forests’ socio-economic and environmental benefits.

This year’s session, marking the second in the 2023-2024 biennial cycle, will concentrate on three main themes: enhancing forest-based economic, social, and environmental benefits; significantly increasing the area of protected forests worldwide; and mobilizing financial and technical resources for sustainable forest management.

The conference will review the progress of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030, focusing on the effectiveness of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF). This mid-term review is crucial for identifying current gaps and setting future priorities, which will inform the UNFF’s program of work for 2025-2028.

As the session unfolds, attendees will look to strengthen policy development, enhance international cooperation, and increase political commitment to managing, conserving, and sustainably developing all types of forests, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (nsh)

Like this article? share it

More Post

Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new articles