Trust Fund

Trust Fund for the United Nations Forum on Forests

The Trust Fund for the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is a cornerstone of the International Arrangement on Forests. Established in 2001, the Fund was created to channel voluntary, extrabudgetary resources in support of the Forum’s activities. Over the years, it has become an essential instrument to ensure that the Forum fulfils its mandate to advance sustainable forest management worldwide.

Supporting the work of the Forum

Resolutions of the Economic and Social Council and the Forum have consistently recognised the Trust Fund as an important resource for carrying out the Forum’s work. It enables the organisation of meetings, expert groups and country-led initiatives that advance technical and policy dialogue on forests. The Fund also provides crucial backing for the work of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network, helping countries gain access to resources to manage and conserve their forests.

Enabling participation for all countries

From the outset, Member States highlighted that the Trust Fund plays a vital role in enabling broad and inclusive participation. By covering the costs of delegates and experts from developing countries, least developed countries and countries with economies in transition, the Fund helps ensure that all voices are heard in the Forum’s deliberations. This inclusive participation strengthens consensus and contributes to decisions that reflect the diverse realities of the world’s forests.

A shared responsibility

The Trust Fund is financed through voluntary contributions from Member States, institutions and other organisations. Forum resolutions have repeatedly invited Governments and partners to contribute, underscoring that the Fund’s vitality depends on collective support. Contributions not only sustain the Forum’s core activities but also reinforce international cooperation on forests, a subject central to achieving the Global Forest Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Monitoring and accountability

The UNFF regularly reviews the status of the Trust Fund as part of its programme of work. This includes monitoring the availability of resources and assessing how they are deployed to support the Forum and the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network. Such oversight ensures transparency and accountability and helps Member States gauge the impact of their contributions.

Why it matters

By sustaining the Trust Fund, Member States and partners invest directly in the Forum’s ability to deliver on its global mandate. They make it possible for countries at all levels of development to participate, for experts to share knowledge, and for innovative financing solutions to reach those who need them most. The Trust Fund is thus not only a financial mechanism, but also a symbol of the shared commitment to safeguard and sustainably manage the world’s forests.