More integrated approaches between forests, energy and livelihoods can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a joint brief published today by the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Forests, Energy and Livelihoods aims to inform discussions at a hybrid global event on 4 April 10.00 EDT at UNHQ in New York, convened today by the Bureau of the 18th session of the UNFF and ahead of the UN General Assembly Summit on Sustainable Development Goals in September.

“Particularly given the current global economic situation, the prospect of a global recession and increased energy and commodity prices, it is vital to recognize the role of forests and sustainable management of forests in achieving sustainable development,” the four organizations say in the brief.

“Forests provide solutions for addressing many developmental challenges. More than 1.6 billion people worldwide strongly depend on forests for food, medicine, fuel and for their livelihoods.”