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.