Enviro News Asia, New York — The twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests officially opened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 11–15, 2026, marking the launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026 and reinforcing international cooperation on sustainable forest management.
The policy session brought together Member States, members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, major stakeholder groups, and international partners to discuss progress in implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 and accelerating the achievement of the Global Forest Goals.
The opening session featured remarks from the Chair of the UNFF Bureau and senior United Nations officials, followed by the presentation of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026 and updates from the UNFF Secretariat. The forum also highlighted the interconnections between forests and broader international environmental processes, alongside announcements of country-led initiatives and new voluntary national contributions.
Throughout the week-long meeting, participating countries engaged in discussions on global forest governance, sustainable forest management, forest financing, and international cooperation to address forest-related challenges. Delegates also reviewed the progress of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network and discussed preparations for the 2030 final review of the International Arrangement on Forests.
In addition to formal plenary discussions, the session included informal consultations aimed at advancing negotiations on draft resolutions that will shape future global forest policies and cooperation frameworks.
UNFF21 is expected to conclude with the adoption of an omnibus resolution that will provide collective guidance for advancing global forest action and strengthening sustainable forest management efforts worldwide. (*)
