The United Nations has warned that progress on global forest goals is still too slow to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, even as countries expand restoration, governance and monitoring efforts.
The UN launched The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 in New York on May 11, saying forests remain central to climate resilience, biodiversity, livelihoods and food security. The report is the latest global assessment of progress under the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030 and its six Global Forest Goals.
Based on voluntary national reports from 48 countries covering 51 percent of the world’s forest area, the report says gains are being made, but not at the pace or scale needed to meet the goals by 2030. It found that global forest area declined by more than 40 million hectares between 2015 and 2025, while financing for sustainable forest management remains far below estimated needs.
The report says progress is uneven, with improvements in protected areas, long-term forest management plans and forest monitoring systems. It also says seven of the 26 targets are broadly met, 17 are partially achieved and two remain off track.
At the same time, forests continue to face mounting pressure from land-use change, climate impacts, wildfires, pests and illegal activities in many regions. The report says stronger institutions, innovative financing and closer cross-sector coordination will be needed to accelerate implementation.
“Forests are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, from climate action and biodiversity conservation to food security and resilient livelihoods,” said Bjørg Sandkjær, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. “Investing in forests is investing in climate stability, resilient economies and the well-being of present and future generations.”
Juliette Biao, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, said the priority now is scaling up action. “As 2030 approaches, the challenge is no longer only to recognize the value of forests but to scale implementation at the speed required,” she said.
The report recommends halting deforestation, restoring degraded lands, expanding protected and sustainably managed forests, strengthening forest governance and closing the financing gap for sustainable forest management. It also calls for innovative financing mechanisms and stronger coordination across sectors.
The report was launched on the opening day of the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests at UN Headquarters, where member states and partners are meeting to advance implementation of the Global Forest Goals.
