United Nations 50d ago

With less than five years remaining to 2030—and forests, a key driver of climate resilience, livelihoods and food security, under threat— the United Nations today (11 May) launched The Global Forest Goals Report 2026, calling for forests to remain at the centre of policy and investment decisions. The report provides the most up-to-date global assessment of progress towards implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 and its six Global Forest Goals. Its release comes at a pivotal moment, as forests are increasingly recognized as central to delivering the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the global climate agenda and biodiversity commitments. Based on voluntary national reports submitted by 48 countries representing 51 percent of the global forest area and informed by the latest global data, the report shows that progress is being made, but not at the pace or scale required to achieve the Goals by 2030. Global forest area declined by more than 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025, while financing for sustainable forest management remains far below estimated needs. At the same time, countries are advancing reforms, expanding restoration efforts, strengthening forest governance and scaling up cooperation. The report outlines pathways for accelerating action, including halting deforestation, restoring degraded lands, expanding protected and sustainably managed forests, strengthening forest-related governance, closing the financing gap for sustainable forest management and advancing innovative financing mechanisms. Among its findings, the report notes that: Progress is uneven, with gains in protected areas, long-term forest management plans and forest-related monitoring systems; Seven of the 26 targets are broadly met, 17 are partially achieved, and two are off track, reversing forest loss and eradicating extreme poverty for forest-dependent people; Pressures from land-use change, climate impacts, wildfires, pests and illegal activities continue to threaten forests in many regions; Innovative financing, stronger institutions and cross-sectoral cooperation are essential to scale implementation; and National leadership and community-driven solutions demonstrate that progress can be accelerated when ambition is matched by action. The launch of the report marked the opening day of twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at United Nations Headquarters, where Member States and partners are meeting to advance implementation of the Global Forest Goals.