11 April 2013: With discussions emphasizing the importance that forests are adequately reflected in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the tenth session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF10) has considered emerging issues related to the potential implications of the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) on forests, as well as the post-2015 UN development agenda.

Given the timing of the SDG process and the UNFF meetings, an ad hoc expert group was proposed to review aspects, components and options for a future international arrangement on forests.

There remained disagreement, however, with regards to forest financing. A number of participants noted the inadequacy of public funding for forests, and that annual funding would need to reach US$ 70 billion to US $ 160 billion. In the discussions, the G77/China called for the establishment of a voluntary global forest fund. Additional financing suggestions made included a sustainable forest management (SFM) funding window under the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The EU and others, however, disagreed with the establishment of any new funding mechanism, preferring enhanced national investment and further efforts to make SFM an attractive investment for the private sector. [Publication: Tenth Session of United Nations Forum on Forests Takes Up Reports on Emerging Issues, Post-2015 Development Agenda] [IISD RS Coverage of UNFF10]