UNFF and Members

Universal membership

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is an intergovernmental body composed of all United Nations Member States and States members of specialised agencies, participating on a full and equal basis. This universal membership ensures that the Forum reflects the voices and priorities of the entire international community. Together, its members form the core of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF).

Mandate of the Forum

Established in 2000, the Forum was tasked with promoting the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Its mandate includes:

Strengthening long-term political commitment to forests;
Facilitating policy dialogue among countries and stakeholders;
Promoting international cooperation, including financial and technical support; and
Considering future options for international forest policy, including legal frameworks.

Role of Members

UNFF members carry the primary responsibility for implementing agreed proposals for action on forests. Through the Forum, they:

Share experiences and lessons learned from national implementation;
Mobilise financial resources and facilitate capacity-building;
Promote the transfer of environmentally sound technologies;
Engage in multi-stakeholder dialogues, country-led initiatives and regional processes.

Advancing global commitments

With the adoption of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 (UNSPF), members play a central role in advancing six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets.

They do so by:

Announcing voluntary national contributions;
Reporting on progress in implementing the UNSPF and the United Nations Forest Instrument;
Aligning efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Accountability and review