International Arrangement on Forests

The International Arrangement on Forests (IAF) is the United Nations’ overarching framework for global forest policy and cooperation. It brings together Member States within the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN), and the UNFF Trust Fund to advance sustainable forest management worldwide.

Origins

The IAF emerged from the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (1995–1997) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (1997–2000), which produced nearly 300 proposals for action on forest management, conservation and financing. In 2000, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) established the IAF through resolution 2000/35, creating the UNFF as its institutional anchor with universal membership.

Mandate and functions

The IAF provides a coherent, transparent and participatory global framework for:

  • Promoting the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests;
  • Strengthening long-term political commitment to forests;
  • Supporting the implementation of the IPF/IFF proposals for action;
  • Enhancing international cooperation, coordination and policy development on forest issues.

Milestones

  • 2006 (ECOSOC resolution 2006/49): Strengthened the IAF and introduced four Global Objectives on Forests.
  • 2007 (GA resolution 62/98): Adopted the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (later known as the UN Forest Instrument).
  • 2015 (ECOSOC resolution 2015/33): Renewed and extended the IAF to 2030, defining its four key components—UNFF and its Secretariat, CPF, GFFFN, and the Trust Fund.
  • 2017 (ECOSOC resolution 2017/4): Adopted the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030, aligning the IAF with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.

Looking ahead

The effectiveness of the IAF will be reviewed twice during its current mandate: at the midterm review in 2025 (UNFF20) and at the final review in 2030. These reviews will assess progress towards the Global Forest Goals and the contribution of forests to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Timeline of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF)

1992 – Rio Conference on Environment and Development

  • Forest Principles (A/CONF.151/6, Annex III) and Agenda 21, Chapter 11 (“Combating deforestation”) established the first international consensus on sustainable forest management.
  • Called for coordinated international action on forests, but no binding framework was agreed.

1995–2000 – IPF and IFF (precursors to UNFF)

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF, 1995–1997) and Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF, 1997–2000) produced ~300 proposals for action covering sustainable management, conservation, and financing.
  • The IFF final report recommended establishing a new international arrangement on forests under ECOSOC to continue the dialogue and oversee implementation.

2000 – ECOSOC Resolution 2000/35

  • Formally established the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF).
  • Created the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) as a functional commission of ECOSOC, supported by a compact secretariat, and mandated collaboration with the new Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF).

2006 – ECOSOC Resolution 2006/49

  • Strengthened the IAF and set four Global Objectives on Forests (GOFs) with a 2015 timeline.
  • Mandated UNFF to review the effectiveness of the IAF in 2015.

2007 – GA Resolution 62/98

  • Adopted the Non-legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (NLBI) as a key policy tool of the IAF.

2015 – ECOSOC Resolution 2015/33

  • Renewed and extended the IAF to 2030.
  • Defined IAF components: UNFF + Secretariat, CPF, Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN), and the UNFF Trust Fund.
  • Called for a midterm review in 2024 and a final review in 2030.

2017 – ECOSOC Resolution 2017/4

  • Adopted the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 (UNSPF).
  • Reaffirmed the IAF structure and objectives:
    • Promote sustainable management of all types of forests.
    • Enhance forests’ contribution to the 2030 Agenda.
    • Strengthen cooperation and coherence.
    • Foster international cooperation and support governance.

2015–2030

  • The IAF is now aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
  • Its effectiveness will be reviewed at UNFF20 (2025 midterm) and again in 2030.