Forests are instrumental for people and the planet, covering 31% of the world’s surface. They are crucial in mitigating climate change by storing carbon and providing a habitat for terrestrial biodiversity. Forests also improve soil, air, and water quality, offer livelihoods for millions, and, if sustainably managed, can be a source of renewable raw materials.
The Committee on Forestry (COFO), the highest forestry statutory body under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), will convene from July 26th to 28th. With 122 member countries, the biennial COFO27 sessions will bring together heads of forest services and senior government officials to identify emerging policy and technical issues, seek solutions, and advise the FAO and other entities on appropriate actions.
The twenty-seventh meeting of the committee (COFO27) will focus on identifying emerging forest policy and technical issues and finding solutions. This is essential for better management of the planet’s forests to improve lives, habitats, and the ecosystem.
The FAO’s forestry program aims to enable transformative impacts that benefit forests and forest-dependent people, helping achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key issues to be discussed during the twenty-seventh meeting of the Committee include:
- FAO’s flagship report, “The State of the World’s Forests 2024,” which provides an in-depth analysis of forest-sector innovations towards a more sustainable future;
- The FAO Forestry Roadmap: From Vision to Action 2024-2031, and FAO’s work on forestry under its Strategic Framework 2022-2031;
- Scaling up agroforestry;
- Progress on FAO’s work on urban forestry and contributions to urban agrifood system transformation;
- The contribution of forestry to FAO’s work on climate change and integrated water management;
- Work related to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 and mainstreaming biodiversity in forestry;
- The multi-year Programme of Work of the Committee on Forestry 2024-2027; and
- The implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030.
