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    • UN Warns Global Forest Loss Exceeds 40 Million Hectares Since 2015

    By on May 12, 2026

    United Nations Forum on Forests Discusses Climate and Biodiversity Commitments

    New York:  The United Nations Forum on Forests opened today at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss ways to accelerate the implementation of international commitments related to forests and sustainable development.

    Björg Sandkjær, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination, said the forum is being held amid growing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, poverty, and increasing social and economic vulnerabilities.

    She explained that progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains uneven and below the required level.

    Sandkjær affirmed that forests represent essential natural resources that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, water regulation, land restoration, food security, livelihoods, energy access, and supporting resilient economies.

    She noted that the forum continues to serve as an important platform for dialogue and international cooperation, stressing the need to move from commitments to practical implementation through stronger political will, effective partnerships, and sustained support.

    For her part, President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock stated that more than half of the global gross domestic product depends on nature, while at least 33 million jobs supporting the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people are linked to the forest sector.

    She stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to protect forests and preserve natural resources.

    A new United Nations report released during the forum indicated that progress achieved in implementing global forest goals remains below the pace and scale required to meet the six targets of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030.

    The report stated that global forest areas declined by more than 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025, while funding allocated for sustainable forest management remains significantly below estimated requirements.

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