FAO advances global forest priorities at UNFF21

New York - A delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), led by Assistant Director-General and Director of the Forestry Division, Zhimin Wu, engaged in the twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21), held at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 to 15 May 2026. In its capacity as Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), FAO worked closely with CPF member organizations to support the session through coordinated technical inputs, joint statements and advancing collaborative action on global forest priorities. Through plenary discussions, official statements and side events, FAO also contributed to the discussions on implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030, particularly UNFF21's thematic priorities of Global Forest Goals 1 (reverse forest cover loss); 3 (protect forests and use sustainable forest products) and 5 (promote inclusive forest governance).

Highlighting the role of forests in food security and nutrition

Across UNFF21, FAO emphasized the critical role of forests in achieving more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, which in turn underpin food security and nutrition, while also supporting rural livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

FAO interventions underscored the importance of integrating forests into broader agrifood systems transformation and strengthening evidence-based policy discussions.

FAO also highlighted the interlinkages between the Global Forest Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals under review by the High-level Political Forum in 2026 and 2027, reinforcing the need for coordinated and cross-sectoral action.

Supporting global processes and policy dialogue

FAO contributed actively to discussions on monitoring, assessment and reporting, emphasizing the importance of data and evidence for tracking progress towards global forest-related commitments. FAO's Global Forest Resource Assessment 2025 was recognized as a key mechanism supporting countries in reporting on progress towards the Global Forest Goals, by providing standardized data and a global evidence base.

FAO also contributed to broader dialogue on global forest challenges, highlighting the urgency of scaling up implementation and accelerating action to support sustainable forest management and restoration.

As Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), FAO supported joint contributions and coordination across CPF members at UNFF21, including through a CPF round table on accelerating progress towards the Global Forest Goals. Discussions highlighted progress the CPF has made through the CPF Work Plan 2025-2028, and emphasized the need to further connect mandates, reduce fragmentation, and translate shared ambitions into practical action.

The CPF delivered an update on its joint activities to support UNFF Member States towards Global Forest Goals 1, 3 and 5, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and coherent approach to advancing sustainable forest management and global forest policy objectives, and outlined its support to UNFF Members in the final review of the International Arrangement on Forests and related preparatory processes. The CPF also announced the theme for the International Day of Forests in 2027: Growing Forests for a Sustainable Future: Advancing Afforestation and Reforestation.

Advancing integrated fire management through the Global Fire Management Hub

FAO highlighted momentum for action on integrated fire management, including through the work of the Global Fire Management Hub, which brings together countries, partners and networks to reduce the negative effects of wildfires on people, landscapes, biodiversity and climate. A dedicated side event focused on practical pathways to scale up implementation, with discussions emphasizing support to countries and alignment with the Global Forest Goals. These discussions highlighted the importance of coordinated country-driven approaches to integrated fire management as part of broader forest and landscape resilience strategies.

Advancing actions on the ground and strengthening global partnerships

FAO contributed to discussions supporting COP30 Presidency priorities, including the roadmap to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, and the initiative Together for the Expansion of Resilient and Restorative Agroecology and Agroforestry (TERRA).

In the consultation event on the roadmap, exchanges highlighted the importance of coordinated global efforts, grounded in evidence, country ownership, and strong partnerships. In the TERRA side event, panelists emphasized the role of agroforestry in supporting sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems through, among others, strengthening rural incomes.

Across UNFF21, FAO also supported discussions highlighting the forest-based bioeconomy and sustainable timber value chains, sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches and the Vienna Call for Action emerging from the Global Summit in Vienna, Austria in February 2026, and the role of mangroves and global cooperation networks in delivering climate and community benefits. In addition, FAO contributed to exchanges on innovative financing pathways for tropical forest countries through an event on the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), reinforcing the importance of enabling conditions and partnerships to scale up action on the ground.

FAO also invited Members and partners to attend FAO's 28th Session of the Committee on Forestry to be held from 28 September to 2 October 2026, which offers the opportunity to foster international collaboration, policy dialogue and technical guidance on forest-related issues.