UNFF members report progress on the Global Forest Goals

Member States submit reports for the 2024–2026 cycle

Members of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) submitted voluntary national reports to UNFF this year, in accordance with the timeline endorsed by ECOSOC Resolution E/RES/2024/15 for the 2024-2026 reporting cycle.  The UNFF Secretariat is grateful to all 47 countries that submitted national reports, which are now online under National Reports.

Insights on progress towards the Global Forest Goals

The reports contain valuable information on the national actions taken to achieve the Global Forest Goals and targets of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) 2017–2030, as well as information on Voluntary National Contributions, success stories, and challenges. As such, the reports are crucial for the assessment of progress toward implementation of the UNSPF, which is the subject of the forthcoming DESA/UNFFS publication “Global Forest Goals Report 2026”.

New online platform enhances reporting process

For the first time, UNFF members submitted their reports via an online platform. The reporting format and instructions were available in English, French and Spanish. To assist in the preparation of the national reports, the UNFF Secretariat also provided a set of explanatory notes and held two capacity-building sessions: an in-person workshop in Nairobi in March, and a webinar in June 2025. The deadline for submission of national reports was 30 June, and an extension was granted to 10 July 2025. The online platform for reporting will cease to be operational from 1 November 2025.

Member feedback informs future reporting cycles

Following the submission phase, the UNFF Secretariat conducted a survey to gather feedback and suggestions for the next reporting cycle to UNFF. Overall, respondents reported being satisfied with the reporting tools and support received over the course of the reporting cycle. Respondents also reflected on the main benefits and challenges of voluntary national reporting to UNFF. The most reported challenges were data availability, internal communication and coordination, and insufficient financial and/or human resources to support the reporting process.

Advisory group continues to guide reporting improvements

The Advisory Group on reporting to UNFF continues to provide guidance on matters related to data collection, the reporting format and tools, as well as data sources and the overall scope and content of the Global Forest Goals report. It is expected that members of the Forum at the 21st session of UNFF (May 2026) will further discuss the means to improve voluntary national reporting to the UNFF.