24 July 2018
On HLPF Sidelines, UNFF Showcases Forests’ Role in Achieving SDGs
UN Photo/Eva Fendiaspara
story highlights

The UN Forum on Forests organized an event highlighting the role of forests in transformations towards sustainable and resilient societies.

The event recognized the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF) as a vehicle to achieve forest-related SDGs and explored ways and means to accelerate achievement of the forest-related SDGs and the UNSPF’s Global Forest Goals.

8 July 2018: Participants recognized the significance of forests to achieving the SDGs at an event organized by the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) on the sidelines of the 2018 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Titled ‘Forest-based transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies: Lessons learned and success stories,’ the event discussed avenues for accelerating progress towards SDG 15 (life on land), in line with a set of key messages and forest-based solutions shared in the UNFF 13 Chair’s summary. The event, co-sponsored by Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Malaysia and the Russian Federation, convened on 8 July 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

Participants shared experiences and recommendations from their countries in support of sustainable forest management (SFM) and SDG 15, among other Goals. Australia described the promotion of forest-based action to combat climate change through the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Partnership. The Russian Federation recommended interdisciplinary and multisectoral approaches to implement the 2030 Agenda, including by improving and implementing forest legislation and policies, especially related to forest resource assessment and monitoring, bioenergy and urban development. Finland highlighted the importance of a nexus approach to forest-food-energy-water issues to fully realize the value of forests.

A panel discussion focused on forest-based transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies. Panelists called for, inter alia: a more systematic analysis of synergies and trade-offs among the SDGs from the perspective of forests; the elevation of forests in climate finance considerations, including to raise the ambition level of Nationally-determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Panelists also supported expanding and deepening partnerships to halt deforestation and forest degradation; working with new constituencies, including indigenous leaders and faith-based organizations; and strengthening the role of youth.

The event highlighted five key messages. First, participants emphasized the role of forests in realizing a shared vision for people and the planet and achieving future prosperity and stability of the global climate. Second, the event recognized the sustainable management of forests and trees outside forests as critical to integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to achieve the SDGs, including to tackle climate change, halt biodiversity loss, halt and reverse land degradation, and combat desertification. Despite the importance of forests and trees to achieving the SDGs, participants observed that the translation of international commitments into action “is lagging behind.” Third, participants stressed implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF) as essential for transformational change, particularly its target to increase global forest area by 120 million hectares, or three percent, by 2030. Fourth, participants recommended a more coherent approach to land use that addresses the nexus between forests, agriculture and food systems, water and energy. Finally, the event urged strengthening forest governance at an international level, stressing that coherence and synergies on forest issues are essential to addressing fragmentation of global forest governance and accelerating SDG achievement.

Participants also discussed, inter alia: the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2018; partnerships for SFM; the use of forests and their resources in the most beneficial way for society, such as using wood and non-wood forest products for resilient cities; illegal logging; and forest fires. The UNFF 13 Chair’s summary was transmitted to the HLPF. [Event Website] [Chair’s Summary] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on SOFO 2018]


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