Forests mitigate climate change and clean the air. They protect watersheds, combat soil erosion, and protect biodiversity and key ecosystems, all of which, in turn, are critical for food security. The forest products sector is often a significant source of jobs, fuel, and income, often for some of the most impoverished people on the planet.

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was established to address this important resource with the main objective to promote the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end. At its nineteenth meeting, the UNFF will discuss the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 (UNSPF) and conduct the midterm review of the effectiveness of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF). The midterm review is intended to identify current gaps in the UNSPF and recommend future steps and needed adjustments that the Forum can address in its quadrennial programme of work for the period 2025-2028.

The IAF has five main components: the UNFF and its Secretariat, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (an interagency body), the UNFF Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network, and the UNFF Trust Fund. The IAF’s objectives center around implementation of sustainable forest management (SFM), in particular the implementation of the UN Forest Instrument, and enhancing the contribution of forests to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, among others.

As the second session of the Forum’s 2023-2024 biennial cycle, UNFF19 discussions had a policy focus centered on the three thematic priorities:

• enhancing forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits;
• significantly increasing the area of protected forests worldwide and other areas of sustainably managed forests, as well as the proportion of forest products from sustainably managed forests; and
• mobilizing financial resources and strengthening scientific and technical cooperation; promoting governance frameworks to advance implementation; and enhancing cooperation, coordination and coherence for SFM.

A High-level Segment convened on Thursday, 9 May 2024 to provide an opportunity for senior officials to share their strategic vision to address the threats to forests, enhance contribution of forests to addressing pressing global challenges, and strengthen political commitment to sustainable management of all types of forests. The High-level Segment included a roundtable on “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science, technology, and finance,” as well as a forest partnership forum with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, non-governmental organizations, and private sector chief executive officers.

The UNFF was established in 2000. Its principal functions are to:

• facilitate the implementation of forest-related agreements and foster a common understanding on SFM;
• provide for continued policy development and dialogue among governments, international organizations and Major Groups, as well as address forest issues and emerging areas of concern in a holistic, comprehensive, and integrated manner;
• enhance policy and programme coordination on forest-related issues;
• foster international cooperation and monitor, assess, and report on progress; and
• strengthen political commitment to the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.

UNFF19 convened at UN Headquarters in New York from 6-10 May 2024.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Keith Ripley; Deborah Davenport, Ph.D.; and Suzi Malan, Ph.D. The Digital Editor was Ángeles Estrada. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.