UNFF19: Key Outcomes, India’s Role, and Global Forest Governance

Overview of UNFF19

• Event: 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19)
• Date: May 6-10, 2024
• Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York
• Chair: Zéphyrin Maniratanga, Burundi
• Key Outcomes:
  • Adoption of a High-Level Segment declaration reaffirming commitment to sustainable forest management.
  • Omnibus Resolution passed, including:
    • Midterm Review of the International Arrangement on Forests (IAF).
    • Introduction of the Quadrennial Programme of Work for 2025-2028.

India’s Participation and Contributions

• India’s Representation: Led by Jitendra Kumar, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Achievements Highlighted:
  • Forest Cover Increase: India reported a net gain of 2.66 million hectares in forest area between 2010 and 2020, ranking third globally.
• Initiatives Introduced:
  • Green Credit Program: A scheme to incentivize the restoration of degraded forest lands, promoting sustainable land use and conservation.
  • Side Event Hosted: Focus on integrated fire management strategies to address the growing threat of climate-induced forest fires.

Global and Future Focus

• Draft Proposal Discussion:
  • Addressing the role of forests in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and land degradation prevention.
  • Although the text was not finalized, it set the stage for future actions.
• Technology in Forest Management:
  • Emphasis on the role of satellite monitoring, drone technology, and data analytics in improving forest supervision and management.
• Next Session:
  • UNFF20 is scheduled for May 2025.

Recent Related Developments

• International Collaboration:
  • India’s contribution of USD 1 million annually to the IBSA Fund for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation.
• Global Leadership:
  • Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development in February 2024.

About UNFF

• Established: 2000 as a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Key Milestones:
  • 2007: Adoption of the UN Forest Instrument, a global framework for sustainable forest management.
  • 2015: Establishment of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network, focusing on mobilizing resources for forest conservation.
  • 2017: Adoption of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, including six Global Forest Goals aimed at reversing forest loss and enhancing the contribution of forests to sustainable development.
• Headquarters: New York, USA.