13 October 2023, Bishkek – The Forest Information Week, jointly organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), took place from 10 to 13 October 2023 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

The event provided knowledge to participants on the use of a state-of-the-art planning methodology with advanced technology for national forest information systems. It also offered technical support to compile country reports for the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 (FRA 2025) while applying FRA 2025 terms, definitions and guidelines. Furthermore, it aimed to assess and update existing information on the FRA platform to improve the quality and transparency of FRA 2025 estimates.

Forest information systems and high-quality country data

The Forest Information Week consisted of two unique workshops led by the host institutions for FRA National Correspondents, alternates and collaborators in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Digitalization in the forest sector and the role of forest information systems formed the first workshop, led by UNECE, from 10 to 11 October. Cutting-edge technologies and methods were explored by the participants to address forest information-related issues at different levels of governance with a holistic strategy. In addition, national experts received guidance to conduct preparatory analyses on national forest information systems for successful information management in their countries.

For the second workshop from 12 to 13 October, National Correspondents received technical guidance for reviewing and updating data from previous FRA reporting cycles to ensure complete, consistent and transparent data for reliable FRA 2025 country reports. Moreover, 

National Correspondents had individual consultations with FRA experts to address country-specific challenges and opportunities for better support with data submission.

Both workshops facilitated valuable knowledge exchanges and collaboration on forest information systems and forest information management for regional capacity building. The participants were empowered with the expertise offered by organizers to lay the groundwork for innovative future forest information, data management and international reporting. The participants also appreciated the insights offered by their counterparts from other countries in the region on their national forest monitoring systems and related challenges through the open communication enabled by the workshop.

Transparent and sustainable international forest data collection

Since 1948, FAO has been conducting global assessments on the extent, condition, management and use of forest resources through country evaluations via expert analyses, remote sensing and statistical monitoring. In the pan-European region, FAO has been working together with UNECE on the monitoring and assessment of forest resources and forest products.

As the mechanism for collecting and reporting on data for forest-related indicators of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), FRA contributes to SDG goal 15 (Life on Land) indicators 15.1.1 (Forest area), 15.2.1 (Sustainable forest management) and 15.4.2 (Mountain Green Cover Index and Proportion of Degraded Mountain Land). 

The high-quality FRA assessments compile comprehensive country reports every five years from officially nominated National Correspondents using a standardized methodology. In March 2023, FAO launched a process for FRA 2025 featuring a series of regional workshops designed to provide global technical assistance and guidance to National Correspondents. This results not only in enhanced technical competences, but also improved information exchanges and best practices among participants. Subsequent to the data collection process of 2023, data analyses and the preparation of official FRA 2025 knowledge products will follow.

Learn more

• Website: Global Forest Resources Assessments

• Platform: FRA 2020

• Video: Insight into the Global Forest Resources Assessment process

• Game: Forest Kids – Biodiversity