7 November 2013: The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) has announced the launch of an assessment of forests and food security under the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) Global Forests Expert Panel (GFEP).

The newly formed Expert Panel on Forests and Food Security will evaluate and build awareness of the state of knowledge on the issue and will aim to highlight the importance of forests in the achievement of possible future Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the expert panel will explore how efforts or SDGs related to food security may impact the future of forests and woodlands.

In addition to synthesizing information on the relationship between forests and food security, the expert panel is further mandated to examine potential social, economic and environmental synergies and trade-offs, and to identify policy options and guidance on governance to achieve positive outcomes for food security through forest management.

The first meeting of the expert panel is planned for 14-15 November 2013, with the final report planned for the eleventh session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 11) to be held in May 2015. The work of the expert panel will be presented as a peer-reviewed scientific report and a summary for policy-makers. [IUFRO Press Release] [GFEP Website]