FAO at UNFF19: Commitment to supporting accelerated global action to achieve the Global Forest Goals
6-10 May 2024, New York – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stressed the central role of forests for sustainable development at the Opening Segment of the High-Level Day of the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at UN headquarters in New York on 9 May.
In his address, Director-General Qu reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to work together with the Forum and support Members in finding forest solutions, specifically agroforestry.
“Let us work together for the tangible outcomes of this UN Forum on Forests to strengthen our commitment, maintain momentum, and increase our joint efforts in support of the global forestry community, for the benefit of the people, the planet, and prosperity, and for future generations,” Qu said.
As FAO acts as the Permanent Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) - a group of 16 international organizations whose work centers on the world's forests - Qu also announced on behalf of the CPF that the theme of the International Day of Forests for 2025 will be “Forests and Foods". This will offer an important opportunity to champion landscape solutions that work towards eliminating hunger and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, including forests.
FAO was actively engaged throughout the week of the United Nations Forum on Forests 19, from 6-10 May. FAO co-organized several events, co-moderated a high-level plenary session, and intervened in other sessions.
6 May – The Collaborative Partnership on Forests in the spotlight
At the Plenary Session, CPF Chair Zhimin Wu addressed the 19th Session of the UNFF, emphasizing the CPF's support for UNFF's work and implementing the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF) and related SDGs. He highlighted the CPF's updated workplan (2021-2024) and their collective work to support Member States in addressing global forest challenges such as deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
“The CPF will also continue to explore mechanisms and modalities that will ensure CPF functions to support UNFF and its Member States in the best way possible, including synergies with the Rio Conventions and other relevant global processes,” Wu said.
He noted that last September, the CPF launched a Joint Call to Action for Forests towards 2030, committing to strengthened efforts in four focal areas. He also highlighted the launch by the CPF Communicators Network “Grow the Solution” initiative, advocating sustainable production and trade of wood products to accelerate climate change mitigation and provide environmental and socioeconomic benefits.
6 May – Escalating threats from wildfires call for Integrated Fire Management
At the ‘Principles and Strategies for Landscape Integrated Fire Management through Collaborative Governance’ side-event co-organized by FAO, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, India, and the International Tropical Timber Organization, FAO Forestry Director Zhimin Wu highlighted the historical use of fires in land preparation and ecosystem maintenance, while also emphasizing the escalating threat of wildfires due to climate and land-use changes. Given the increased frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires, Integrated Fire Management needs to be accepted and put in place by governments and a range of other actors, Wu underlined.
“We need to shift from reactive responses to proactive measures. We need to focus on prevention and preparedness through an approach known as Integrated Fire Management, which involves action long before and long after a fire, as well as while it is burning,” Wu said.
To achieve this, FAO and UNEP launched the Global Fire Management Hub during the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference in Portugal in 2023. The Fire Hub is a collective initiative of key global and regional organizations and entities, which offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ for data, guidelines, best practices, expertise, e-learning and access to various networks and initiatives. Wu stressed the Hub's role in enhancing knowledge sharing, capacity building, and policy support. He concluded by urging collective action to combat wildfires and expressed gratitude for the global commitment and collaboration with various countries and organizations.
7 May - A closer look at the role of partnerships in conserving primary forests
The event 'CPF member discussion: The need to strengthen the conservation of primary forests through partnership enhancement and coordination of support' highlighted the critical role of the CPF in conserving primary forests, as untouched ecosystems vital for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
“Enhanced knowledge of primary forest, including their status and trends, is essential for effective conservation efforts and to inform policy- and decision-making processes,” Theresa Loeffler, FAO Forestry Officer, noted in the discussion.
In response to data inconsistencies and the lack of operational guidance, FAO launched a special study to improve reporting quality and consistency, involving partners like the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Griffith University. The initiative aims to develop operational guidelines and geospatial tools tailored to different biomes. Through collaboration with GEF, FAO plans to expand these efforts globally, facilitating more effective management and conservation of primary forests.
8 May – Reflecting on progress made in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
At the FAO-UNEP organized side-event, 'Sustainable Horizons: Showcasing Progress in UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration', the importance of concrete efforts toward restoration was emphasized, highlighting the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration World Restoration Flagships. In a video message, Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director-General of FAO, outlined relevant programs to the restoration projects, announcing the call for nomination for the second round of World Restoration Flagships.
During the high-level panel, forest usage and the impacts of deforestation were discussed, emphasizing the relevance of the UN Decade in increasing forest cover and biodiversity for climate change adaptation.
8 May - Uncovering the challenges involved in dryland restoration efforts
The Forests for sustainable land restoration event promoted discussions on the significant challenge of restoration efforts in drylands. It highlighted the need for solutions that prioritize food security and natural resource management, such as integrated sustainable pastoralism, forestry, and agriculture, actions in which FAO leads and collaborates with on several initiatives, such as "Grazing with Trees”, which promotes the integration of pastoralism and forestry, and the “Action Against Desertification Programme” that supports the implementation of land restoration in 11 African countries, combining science with traditional knowledge.
“To achieve land degradation neutrality, we need to work together, to simultaneously promote advances of trees and forests to climate, biodiversity, food and water security. Our collaboration holds the key to unlocking the potential of drylands and mangroves, securing the livelihoods they support, and safeguarding our shared future," said Malgorzata Buszko-Briggs, Senior FAO Forestry Officer and Secretary of the Committee on Forestry.
In a demonstration of commitment to the global dialogue on land restoration, Saudi Arabia will host the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 16) in December 2024.
9 May - Charting a course for future CPF activities
The goal of the CPF-organized side-event entitled 'Harmonizing Efforts for Forest Action by 2030: Strengthening the Collaborative Partnership on Forests' was to provide dialogue and exchange between UNFF members and members of the CPF in terms of the future CPF activities and a platform for reflection on the engagement. In his opening remarks, Zhimin Wu, Director of the FAO Forestry Division and Chair of CPF, stressed the interconnectedness of forests with other sectors and agendas to achieve the Global Forest Goals of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030, emphasizing the need for facilitated forest financing. Other heads of CPF agencies provided inputs to discussions.
This side event identified gaps and provided guidance for the future work of the CPF.
10 May – Safeguarding mountain forests for sustainable mountain development
Kyrgyzstan, Italy and Nepal, in collaboration with the UN Group of Friends for Mountains, hosted a side event emphasizing the pivotal role of mountains and their forests for global sustainable development.
Speakers included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan and high-level representatives from Andorra, Azerbaijan, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, the United Nations Development Programme and Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.
Within the frameworks of the Mountain Partnership and the Five Years of Action for the Development of Mountain Regions, discussions highlighted the challenges facing mountain regions and how concrete action in mountains can address global issues related to climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification. With 40 percent of mountain areas covered by forests, their sustainable management is vital for enhancing ecosystem resilience, creating new economic opportunities, and supporting the livelihoods of mountain people. To achieve this, speakers called for transformative approaches and the meaningful inclusion of youth, women and Indigenous Peoples to ensure innovative solutions that leave no one behind.