The Global Forest Goals Report 2021 is the first evaluation of where the world stands in implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, providing a snapshot of actions being taken for forests, while stressing that it is necessary to meet the 2030 deadline in the Plan. The report finds that while the world had been making progress in key areas such as increasing global forest area through afforestation and restoration, these advances are also under threat from the worsening state of our natural environment.

The world is combatting unprecedented, worldwide crises on multiple fronts, from the devastating impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, to the escalating impacts of climate change and a biodiversity crisis. For each of these complex global challenges, forests and forest-dependent people are both a casualty and an important part of the solution.

The report has been produced in two versions: the full report provides an overview of progress towards the Global Forest Goals, including country actions taken, infographics, and success stories; and a shorter “Overview of Progress” version which highlights overall progress towards each of the six Global Forest Goals.

The Global Forests Goals Report 2021 is the first evaluation of where the world stands in implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030. Adopted four years ago, the Plan is a blueprint for forests and people expressed through six Global Forest Goals and 26 targets. Outlining a vision for a future where all types of forests and trees are sustainably managed, the Plan is integral to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.The importance of forests for the well-being of people and the planet is clear.

# Some 1.6 billion people worldwide depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.
# Forests provide clean air and fresh water and help to avert desertification.
# They are home to 80 per cent of all known terrestrial species, and they regulate our climate, absorbing one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions.

An estimated 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests for their subsistence needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.2
Of the extreme poor in rural areas, 40% live in forest and savannah areas, and
approximately 20% of the global population - especially women, children, landless farmers, and other vulnerable segments of society - look to forests to meet their food and income needs.3
For centuries, forests have provided socio-economic safety nets for people and communities in times of crises.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, forests have been a lifeline for the millions of people who have turned to them for their most essential subsistence needs. Before the pandemic, many countries were working hard to reverse native forest loss and increase protected areas designated for biodiversity conservation. Some of those gains are now at risk with worrying trends of increased deforestation of primary tropical forests.In this Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals, and as we prepare to launch the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, every effort must be made to ensure that sustainable forest management is fully integrated into both short-term crisis response and long-term green recovery strategies. We need to set the bar high and look beyond the current emergency towards truly sustainable and scalable development solutions.

Restoring forests - and managing them more sustainably - is a cost-effective option to provide multiple benefits for both people and the planet. Investments in forest restoration", "will contribute to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating green jobs, generating livelihoods, greening cities, and increasing food security."(FAO)

Forests are home to about 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, with more that 60,000 tree species.
Around 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.
The world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year - about the size of Iceland - which accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Land degradation affects almost 2 billion hectares – an area larger than South America.

The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being. "Spending time around trees helps boost our immune system, lowers blood pressure and promotes relaxation Find out how forests benefit our physical and mental well-being. Learn about 7 secrets of forests (Source)

The theme for 2022 is “Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption”.
The theme for 2023 is “Forests and Health”.