Presenter urges faster, larger-scale action to halt deforestation, citing Global Forest Goals Report 2026

The presenter said forests are "natural filters for people and planet" and called for swifter, larger-scale action after outlining findings from the Global Forest Goals Report 2026.

The report, described by the presenter as a "snapshot" of progress, shows that while countries "are doing the right things," those efforts are "not at the right scale and speed that is currently needed," the presenter said. The presenter said that accelerating proven approaches will require political decision-making and sustained commitment.

During the presentation the presenter highlighted multiple reasons forests matter: in rural areas they provide livelihoods and strengthen the role of women; they also "act as the massive sponges that capture carbons, stabilize soil, and regulate [the] water cycle," cool cities in summer and support public health and well-being. "Forests are important as they are natural filters for people and planet," the presenter said.

The presenter also described the UN Forerunner Forest process as bringing together policymakers, practitioners, conservation activists and representatives of the timber industry to work toward sustainable forest management. On why forests continue to be lost, the presenter said some decisions that drive deforestation are taken outside the forest sector and framed forest protection as "not only an environmental issue, but also economic and political."

The presenter closed by urging leaders to scale up known solutions and by saying, "If we continue to take care of forests, they will continue taking care of us." The presentation did not include any formal motions, votes or agreed next steps.