XXVII session of the UN FAO Committee on Forestry

On July 22–27, the 27th session of the Committee on Forestry and the IX World Forest Week took place at the UN FAO headquarters in Rome. Delegations from 108 states and seven UN organizations took part in the events. The Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Head of Rosleskhoz Alexander Panfilov.

As a result of the session, the “FAO Work Plan in the field of forestry: from concept to action (2024–2031)” was approved. The negotiating states agreed on the following priorities for international cooperation on forests under the auspices of the UN FAO:

• preservation and restoration of forest ecosystems;
• expanding the use of science-based innovative solutions;
• saving and increasing forest productivity;
• conserving and ensuring sustainable production of non-timber resources and forest services.

These international solutions meet the objectives of Russian state policy in the field of forestry, in particular, the priorities of the federal project “Forest Conservation”, which has been extended until 2030.

Alexander Panfilov, Deputy Head of Rosleskhoz: “The Russian forest sector opens up wide opportunities for the use of innovations. This applies to both monitoring the protection of forests from fires and controlling the circulation of wood. Thanks to the ISDM-Rosleskhoz satellite system and new solutions in the field of video surveillance, we detect forest fires in a small area and begin to extinguish them before the situation worsens. A comprehensive system for monitoring the forest fire situation has been established, in which drones and CCTV cameras are actively used.".

During the session, in an intergovernmental format, an exchange of experience took place on issues of sustainable forest management, reforestation and industry international reporting. The Russian delegation held bilateral working meetings, including with the leadership of the FAO Forestry Department and the Indian delegation.

The Committee on Forestry is the highest statutory body of FAO in the field of forestry. Convened biennially, COFO brings together forestry managers and other high-level government officials to identify current policy and technical challenges for international cooperation on forests, as well as to develop joint solutions on related topics.