New York, USA — The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) participated in the twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21), held from 11 to 15 May, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The session convened governments, international organizations, and forest stakeholders to advance the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2017–2030 and accelerate progress toward the Global Forest Goals (GFGs), concluding with the adoption of the UNFF21 Omnibus Resolution by consensus on May 15.
AFoCO Intervention
AFoCO’s delegation delivered a formal statement during the session, highlighting three key areas: the urgent need to diversify forest financing, AFoCO’s recent institutional accreditation by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a milestone enabling member countries to directly access climate finance for forest restoration, and the Friends of Asia and Asian Forests initiative as a platform for mobilizing public-private investment. AFoCO also expressed strong support for UNCCD COP17 — to be hosted by member country Mongolia — urging all partners to leverage the occasion to strengthen the linkages between forests, land degradation, and climate action.
Key Outcomes of UNFF21
Launch of the Global Forest Goals Report 2026
One of the session’s landmark deliverables was the launch of the Global Forest Goals Report (GFGR) 2026, which provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward the six Global Forest Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline. The Omnibus Resolution invited Forum members to promote and disseminate the report’s key findings and called on all members to submit voluntary national reports to contribute to the final 2030 assessment of the UNSPF. The Forum also encouraged the Secretariat to continue drawing on FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2025 data, while exploring nationally validated sources for future reporting.
Forest Pavilion at Major COPs
Recognizing the proven impact of forest visibility at high-level climate and environment conferences, UNFF21 encouraged interested Forum members, CPF organizations, and stakeholders to consider organizing a Forest Pavilion at UNFCCC COP sessions, as well as forest-related events at the Conferences of the Parties to the CBD and the UNCCD. This builds on the success of past Forest Pavilions — including at UNFCCC COP29 and COP 30 — which AFoCO noted in its own intervention as having played an instrumental role in elevating forests within the global climate agenda.
UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation (2027-2036)
The Forum welcomed the UN General Assembly’s adoption of resolution 79/283 proclaiming the UN Decade for Afforestation and Reforestation in line with Sustainable Forest Management (2027–2036), initiated by the Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan. Forum members were invited to take concrete steps to support the Decade’s implementation, with the Forum Secretariat requested to facilitate its observance in collaboration with FAO, UNEP, and other Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) members.
Tropical Forest Forever Facility
The Forum took note of the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, an innovative global forest financing initiative, and encouraged countries in a position to do so to invest in it. Developing tropical forest countries were invited to engage with the Facility as a collective platform for mobilizing long-term, predictable, and accessible finance for UNSPF implementation.
Advancing Means of Implementation
UNFF21 reaffirmed the urgent need to advance means of implementation — including new and additional financing from all sources — for reversing forest cover loss, halting deforestation and degradation, and restoring degraded forests. The Forum emphasized the continued role of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN) in supporting developing countries to mobilize resources for Sustainable Forest Management and called for enhanced access to forest financing data and knowledge through the UNFF Clearing House on Forest Financing. AFoCO is also listed on the UNFF Clearing House on Forest Financing as a regional partner contributing to forest financing cooperation and knowledge sharing in Asia.
Preparations for the 2030 IAF Final Review
Looking toward the end of the UNSPF cycle, UNFF21 initiated discussions on the 2030 Final Review of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF). The Forum invited the Bureau, supported by the Secretariat, to hold regular intersessional consultations with members, CPF organizations, and stakeholders to define the scope, thematic priorities, and modalities for the final review process — with a plan to be presented at UNFF23.