The report is prepared by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat.
- It assessed progress towards the 6 GFG set for 2030 and the associated targets of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (2017–2030), launched during the 21st UNFF session.
- UNFF (established in 2000), an intergovernmental body composed of all UN members and members of specialised agencies, aims to promote the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.
Key Highlights of Report
- Reduction in Forest Area: Shrank by over 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025.
- Major Drivers: Agricultural expansion and surging demand for fuelwood and charcoal.
- Barriers to Sustainable Forest Management: Weak governance, insecure land tenure, illegal trade, and limited institutional capacity.
- Degradation Intensification: Due to climate-linked pressures such as droughts, wildfires, heatwaves, pests, and diseases.
- Finance Gap: Despite reaching a record US$84 billion in 2023, finance remains far below the estimated US$300 billion needed annually by 2030.
Recommendations: The report emphasizes stronger coordination, higher forest financing, deforestation-free supply chains, and cleaner energy access to reduce dependence on fuelwood and charcoal.
