Background: 

The conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of forests are critical to planetary wellbeing, the successful implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the achievement of the Global Forest Goals (GFGs) established by the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF). Forest ecosystems are home to approximately 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and are essential to the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. While there have been positive developments in areas such as protected forests, sustainable forest management, forest-related data and international cooperation, persistent challenges remain, including continued forest loss, degradation, climate-related pressures and financing gaps (Global Forest Goals Report, 2026) which negatively impacts biodiversity conservation. Through the CBD’s national reporting processes, 72% of Parties submitted national targets that address sustainable forestry; data from FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment indicates that although the rate of deforestation has slowed to 10.9 million hectares per year in 2015-2025, it still remains too high. 

The CBD has long recognized the importance of forest biodiversity, including through the Expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity (PoWFB) (decision VI/22, paragraph 10, annex)1. Adopted in 2002, the PoWFB was developed to provide guidance for CBD Parties and stakeholders to support national forest policies and develop dedicated tools, reports, case studies and initiatives to act on forest biodiversity. A Strategic review of and update to the expanded programme of work on forest biodiversity in the context of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework2 was considered by CBD Parties in 2025 at SBSTTA-27. To support Parties’ consideration of this agenda item at SBSTTA-27, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) developed an information document3 outlining its contributions to support Parties in achieving the goals and targets of the KMGBF, in line with the GFGs of the UNSPF.