Voices From the 21st Session of the UN Forum on Forests

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Forests are among planet Earth’s core systems.

Covering about a quarter of its land surface, forest biomes regulate Earth’s climate system, and host most of its biological diversity.

Forests also provide humans with food, fiber, and energy. Their contribution to human cultural and psychic wellness, individually and collectively, is beyond calculation.

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In response to the relentless decline of terrestrial forest cover, between 1995 and 1997, an International Arrangement on Forests (IAF) was established within the United Nations system, as a framework for the development of forest policy and cooperation.

Out of the IAF, the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF), the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, the Forest Financing Facilitation Network, and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 emerged.

The Strategic Plan sets six Global Forest Goals: to reverse forest cover loss, improve forest livelihoods, support the development of sustainable forest products, promote inclusive forest governance and cooperation across sectors, and to mobilize financial resources crucial to achieving these goals.

The UNFF is the international community’s core venue for discussion on all matters forest-related.

UNFF is a commission of the Economic and Social Council, one of the UN’s five principal arms. All UN members states belong to it. Annual UNFF sessions focus on forest protection policy, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of practical measures to conserve and expand Earth’s forested cover.

Between May 11 and 15, the UNFF held its 21st session in New York City. The GPM was there.

The highlight of UNFF21 — this year’s Forest Goals Report.

The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 is less than optimistic. With less than five years to go till 2030 — target date for Global Sustainability goals established at the 1992 Rio Summit — Earth’s forests are in peril, it says.

Global forest area has declined by more than 40 million hectares over the past decade, the report says. Financing for sustainable forest management remains far below estimated needs. At the same time, it says, countries are advancing reforms, expanding restoration efforts, strengthening forest governance, and scaling up cooperation.

Listen to voices from this year’s session of the UN Forum on Forests. Click on the play button above, or go here.

In order of appearance:

UNFF21 chair, a Turkish forester, Ismail Belen.

Lok Bahadur Thapa, Permanent Representative of Nepal, and President of the UN’s Economic and Social Council.

Annaliena Baerbock, former German Foreign Minister, and President of the current, 80th Session of the United Nations.

Bjorg Sandkjær, former Deputy Minister for International Development at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Sandkjær presented this year’s Forest Goals Report.

On the sidelines of formal sessions, the GPM spoke with:

Ana Paula Vargas, a consultant for Brazil’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples.

David Flood (Zonzei Maiingun), a member of Matachewan First Nation, an Ojibway band in Treaty 9 territory, northeast Ontario, and General Manager of Wahkohtowin Development, a social enterprise jointly operated by three First Nations.

Listen to our complete conversation with David here:

The GPM also spoke with Juliette Biao, Secretary General and Director of the UN Forum on Forests.

As West Africa’s first female forester, Biao helped resolve forest-related conflicts in the international park separating Burkina Faso, Niger, and her home country, Benin. Since 2022, Biao has served as the Director of the Secretariat of the UN Forum on Forests. Ms. Biao is a dual national — of Benin and Canada.

Listen to all these voices in today’s podcast. Click on the play button above, or go here.

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