NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL) – PIA BOZYEL – United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Chair Ismail Belen called for increased investment in sustainable forest management, warning that the United Nations’ ongoing financial crisis is affecting all aspects of its work.
Speaking at the opening of the 20th session of the UNFF in New York, Belen underlined the importance of forests in addressing pressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and poverty.
“The United Nations is facing a serious financial crisis. This affects all aspects of its work,” Belen said. “In this context, I would like to highlight three priority actions.”
Belen said forests must play a leading role in tackling global environmental challenges and achieving international goals such as the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
He urged governments and stakeholders to invest more in forest health by adopting innovative financing mechanisms, supporting science and technology, and strengthening the role of local communities.
“This includes more financing, new and creative approaches, support for science and technology, and capacity building,” he said. “It also requires strong participation from forest owners, smallholders, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and young people.”
The forum, described by Belen as “the only global intergovernmental platform with universal membership that focuses on all forest-related issues,” brings together UN member states, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.
Highlighting the UNFF’s past achievements, Belen noted the forum’s key role in advancing sustainable forest policies and strengthening international cooperation.
“Since the Forest Principles were adopted in Rio in 1992, this Forum has achieved several important milestones,” he said. “It was the first intergovernmental body to agree on global policy frameworks for forests—most notably the international forest instrument and the global strategic plan for forests.”
He also pointed to recent global developments such as the 2024 Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the Rio Conventions and the UN’s Pact for the Future, which reaffirm the central role of forests in addressing global challenges.
Calling for enhanced access to data, knowledge, and good practices, Belen said: “We must improve access to data, knowledge, and good practices. This means closing gaps in forest information and building stronger partnerships—especially with those who finance and support forest-related work.”
“This Forum is not only a space for negotiation,” he added. “It is a place for building trust, sharing knowledge, and strengthening global solidarity.”
Belen concluded by inviting all participants to see the forum as their platform, emphasizing that its inclusive structure is designed to support all stakeholders.
UN Photo
