https://forests.desa.un.org/news/2026/unff21-concludes-consensus-adoptio...
The twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) concluded on 15 May 2026 with the adoption by consensus of an omnibus resolution aimed at strengthening international cooperation on forests and accelerating implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.
Held from 11 to 15 May 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the policy session brought together Member States, senior United Nations officials, members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), regional organizations, Major Groups and other stakeholders to advance sustainable forest management and the achievement of the Global Forest Goals.
Despite resource pressures across the United Nations system under the UN80 Initiative, delegates reaffirmed the importance of forests for sustainable development, climate action, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods, while underscoring the need for strengthened political commitment and implementation support.
High-level opening underscores global commitment to forests
The session opened with remarks by Ismail Belen, UNFF21 Chair; Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council; Annalena Baerbock, President of the General Assembly, and Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination Bjørg Sandkjær.
Speakers highlighted the critical role of forests in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and called for stronger international cooperation, increased financing and integrated policy approaches to halt deforestation and support sustainable forest management.
Launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026
UNFF21 opened with the launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026, the flagship publication of the UNFF Secretariat assessing progress towards the six Global Forest Goals and their 26 associated targets.
Presenting the report, UNFF Secretariat Director Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo outlined key findings on forest loss, restoration, forest finance, governance and resilience. Member States and partners welcomed the report as an important contribution to strengthening implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests and informing future policy action.
Focus on implementation, finance and global cooperation
As a policy session, UNFF21 focused on strengthening policy guidance and accelerating implementation of the UNSPF and achieving its GFGs, and progress towards agreed forest-related commitments.
Discussions addressed a broad range of issues, including:
- outcomes of country-led initiatives hosted by Morocco, Türkiye and Austria;
- enhanced cooperation with CPF members, regional organizations and Major Groups;
- communication and outreach efforts to raise awareness of the Global Forest Goals;
- monitoring, assessment and reporting processes;
- interlinkages with the 2026 and 2027 High-level Political Forum review themes;
- the COP30 Presidency initiative on a roadmap for halting deforestation and forest degradation deforestation, and preparations for the United Nations Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation in line with sustainable forest management (2027–2036);
- means of implementation and forest financing, including the operation and resourcing of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network; and
- Initial discussion on the preparations for the 2030 final review of the International Arrangement on Forests.
Throughout the session, Member States expressed appreciation for the work of the UNFF Secretariat in supporting preparations for UNFF21 and advancing implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests despite ongoing resource constraints across the United Nations system.
Against this backdrop, the resourcing of the UNFF Secretariat under the UN80 Initiative also featured prominently during the session, with Member States calling on the General Assembly to ensure adequate, stable and predictable resources for the Secretariat and encouraging contributions to the UNFF Trust Fund.
High-level presentations and side events enrich discussions
Deliberations during the session centred on Global Forest Goals 1, 3 and 5, focusing on reversing forest loss, increasing protected and sustainably managed forests, and promoting governance frameworks for sustainable forest management.
High-level presentations were delivered by Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the representative of the COP30 Presidency, and the President of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, among others.
A vibrant programme of fourteen side events complemented the formal negotiations, covering topics such as primary forest conservation, innovative forest finance, forest-based bioeconomy approaches, mangrove restoration, wildfire preparedness and tropical forest protection.
Consensus outcome reinforces support for sustainable forest management
On the final day of the session, the Forum adopted its omnibus resolution and the report of UNFF21 by consensus.
Among other outcomes, the resolution recommends that the General Assembly ensure adequate and predictable resources for the UNFF Secretariat, particularly in preparation for the 2030 final review of the International Arrangement on Forests. The resolution also welcomes the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility as an innovative initiative aimed at mobilizing long-term support for sustainable forest management.
The report of UNFF21 will be submitted to the Economic and Social Council during its 2026 substantive session. The advance copy is now available.
Established in 2000 by the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Forum on Forests serves as the central intergovernmental platform within the United Nations system dedicated to forest policy dialogue, cooperation and coordination.
For more information on UNFF21, visit the official UNFF21 webpage.
Appreciation for the outgoing Bureau
The session also marked the conclusion of the term of the UNFF20/21 Bureau. Under the leadership of Chair Ismail Belen (Türkiye), together with Vice-Chairs Javad Momeni (Iran), Abderrahim Houmy (Morocco), Andrés Napuri Pita (Peru) and Maria Sokolenko (Russian Federation), the Bureau supported preparations for UNFF21 and helped advance dialogue and cooperation on implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.
Thank you Bureau for your support a
