Item 4. Initial discussions on the final review of the effectiveness of the IAF in achieving its objectives

Mister/Madam Chair,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (or CPF).

The CPF has a long-standing dedication not only to adopting new and improved ways of collaborating and cooperating, but also to continuous improvement and adaptation.

For 25 years, the CPF has been an integral component of the International Arrangement on Forests and an important means to support the work of the Forum.

Collectively and individually, the CPF and its members also contribute their expertise across many additional global, regional and national initiatives and platforms that are driving progress on the global forest agenda.

The final review of the International Arrangement on Forests in 2030 is a unique opportunity to review its performance, strengths, weaknesses and gaps, and its future beyond 2030.

The review is particularly timely in a context of constrained resources and increasing pressure to do more with less, requiring sharper prioritization, greater efficiency, and more streamlined engagement across processes to sustain effective support to countries.

Based on the guidance from the Forum on the IAF final review and related preparatory work, and from our respective governing bodies, the CPF stands ready to support an inclusive, evidence-based and Member State driven process.

The CPF considers three concrete ways that it could support this work.

First, the CPF can provide, within its mandate and based on the comparative advantages of its membership, technical and analytical inputs to help inform the evidence base underpinning preparations.

Second, the CPF can support intersessional consultations and related preparatory processes as guided by the Forum, including in the context of CPF member governing body meetings, helping to facilitate exchanges that identify priority questions, knowledge gaps, and options.

Third, building on successful past CPF Organization-led Initiative (OLI), including the OLI undertaken to inform the midterm review of the IAF in 2024, the CPF can organize a transparent, inclusive and Member State driven OLI to contribute to the preparatory work of the IAF final review.

We would kindly welcome UNFF Members views on these suggestions.

In closing, the CPF stands ready to support Member States in preparing for the 2030 IAF final review and we look forward to your guidance on how we can best add value and respond to your priorities.

Thank you.