This sub-theme will discuss progress, opportunities and priorities for addressing deforestation and forest degradation. The implementation of recent global commitments and the operationalization of major initiatives, including that of the UN Secretary-General on turning the tide on deforestation, the UN framework on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, and international commitments and efforts on transforming food systems towards enhanced production while halting deforestation, will form part of the discourse.

Using the most recent trends of deforestation and forest degradation, the objectives are to highlight key initiatives and commitments (national and international) to address and reverse this trend, to increase the role of forestry in global narratives including climate change, legal agricultural commodity and timber trade, and the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and recovery efforts.