30 October 2016: At its second meeting, the Open-ended Intergovernmental Ad Hoc Expert Group (AHEG2) of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) provided input on the Co-Chairs’ proposals for the Strategic Plan 2017-2030 and the Quadrennial Programme of Work 2017-2020. Participants discussed a number of non-papers on goals and targets along with forests’ contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among other issues.

Τhe AHEG2 on ‘Matters Referred to in Paragraph 48 of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution 2015/33 on Institutional Arrangement on Forests Beyond 2015′ was held from 24-28 October 2016 at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 80 experts nominated by governments, member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, regional organizations and Major Groups attended the meeting.

Participants discussed the Co-Chairs’ proposals for the Strategic Plan 2017-2030 and the Quadrennial Programme of Work 2017-2020. They also addressed a number of non-papers on, among other issues: the guiding principles for the inclusion of goals and targets; existing intergovernmentally agreed targets, objectives, goals and commitment on forests; forests’ contribution to the SDGs; and an indicative list of categories of forest-related data where baseline information is available or can be estimated.

The guidance provided will be used to refine the Co-Chairs’ proposals for consideration and adoption by UNFF Member States at the upcoming UNFF Working Group and Special Session to be held the 16-20 January 2017, in New York. US. [IISD RS Coverage of AHEG2] [AHEG2 Documents]