With Planet Near Irreversible Climate Change, Forests Essential for Building Healthy, Resilient Future, Deputy Secretary-General Tells World Congress

Following is the text of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s video message to the XV World Forestry Congress, in Seoul, today:

On behalf of the Secretary-General, I am pleased to greet the global forest community at the opening of the XV World Forestry Congress.  I thank the Government and people of the Republic of Korea for hosting this important gathering.

Since the last Congress in 2015, recognition of the critical roles that forests of all types play in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the Paris agreement [on climate change] has gained traction.

The recent Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use has further underlined key the transformative actions needed to safeguard forests and advance the 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development].

This Congress takes place right after the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which warns that the world is dangerously close to irreversible tipping points. 

Forests are essential for the health of people and the planet.  They support resilient livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, sustainable economies and climate mitigation and adaptation.  Yet forests remain under threat.

In the last decade alone, the world has lost 4.7 million hectares a year.  We must better recognize and act on the value of forests.  Hence the theme of the Congress:  “Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests”.

We need all stakeholders to come up with ideas and commitments that can be put into action.  First, by increasing public finance to protect our forests, including through results-based payments and debt-for-environment swaps, and aligning policies and budgets with forest commitments.

Second, by achieving deforestation-free supply chains.  And third by expanding indigenous governance of forests, incorporating the perspectives of youth and women, and using the latest scientific evidence and cutting-edge technologies.

I look forward to the outcomes of this Congress feeding into climate change and biodiversity negotiations and other policy fora.  Together, we can build a green, healthy and resilient future by realizing the value of forests.  Thank you.