CONCEPT NOTE

COP30 Presidency Roadmap on Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030: the synergistic role of forests

Side Event | 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17)

Yerevan, Armenia | October 2026

Organizer: UNFCCC COP30 Presidency

Background and Rationale

Forests are of utmost importance for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) for at least two key reasons. First, because they harbour more than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Second, because they provide ecosystem services at local, regional and global levels that are crucial to other ecosystems, notably carbon retention and sequestration, water cycle regulation, and soil protection.

Forests are equally important for the lives of billions of human beings all around the world, particularly – but not limited to – indigenous peoples and local communities (FAO, 2020). Yet forests continue to be lost and degraded at alarming rates, undermining progress across multiple KMGBF targets.

CBD COP17 marks the first comprehensive review of collective global progress in implementing the KMGBF since its adoption at COP15 in December 2022. Achieving the framework’s ambition on halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and living in harmony with nature by 2050 is not possible without simultaneously halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation. Forests are directly relevant to at least 10 of the 23 GBF targets, including Target 2 (restoration of 30% of degraded ecosystems), Target 3 (protection of 30% of land and sea areas), Target 10 (sustainable management of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry), Target 14 (mainstreaming biodiversity in decision-making), and Target 19 (mobilizing at least US$200 billion per year for biodiversity from all sources).

Fundamentally inspired by the notion of synergy among the three Rio Convention regimes, the UNFCCC COP30 Presidency Roadmap for Halting and Reversing Deforestation and Forest Degradation by 2030 can give a significant contribution to the implementation of the KMGBF. The Roadmap is a non-binding, action-oriented document with analyses and recommendations intended to foster the implementation of the forest-related aspects of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement (GST1). Grounded in paragraphs 33 and 34 of GST1, the Roadmap covers all major forest biomes and five action dimensions: deforestation; forest degradation; restoration; sustainable management and bioeconomy; and conservation. It offers countries a practical framework to diagnose their national forest profiles, map existing policy tools and financial instruments, and thus define strategies to close their implementation gaps.

The Roadmap has been developed through a broad, inclusive consultative process. The COP30 Presidency’s Call for Inputs received contributions from 140 countries, individually or in groups; over 150 organizations, research institutions and individuals; and 9 UN agencies. Broad political support was confirmed across regions at UNFF 21 and UNFCCC SB64.

This side event proposes to present the main features of the Roadmap, with special attention to its potential contribution to the implementation of the KMGBF. The targeted audience are CBD Parties, representatives of indigenous peoples, local communities, international organizations, research institutions and civil society in general.

Objectives

• Present the COP30 Presidency Roadmap and its relevance to KMGBF implementation;
• Demonstrate the contribution of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation to achieving KMGBF targets, particularly Targets 2, 3, 10, 14, and 19;
• Highlight the role of forests as key aspects of the synergy between the CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD regimes;
• Showcase the role of indigenous peoples and local communities as key actors in forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable management, and the importance of securing land tenure rights and their direct access to finance;
• Gather feedback from CBD Parties and stakeholders to strengthen the Roadmap’s alignment with the KMGBF ahead of UNFCCC COP31.

 

Format and Indicative Speakers

The 90-minute session will combine brief thematic presentations with a moderated panel discussion and space for audience engagement. The format will include:

• Opening remarks from the COP30 Presidency and the CBD Secretariat;
• Senior government representatives from forest-rich and donor countries;
• Representatives of indigenous peoples and of local communities;
• Experts on forests, biodiversity finance, and ecosystem governance;
• Representatives of relevant UN agencies.