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About the event

25 September 2025 – Online
Time: 9:00–10:30 AM (Montreal time, EDT / UTC-4)

Forests are home to most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity and play a central role in sustaining livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems. Yet, deforestation remains the leading driver of forest biodiversity loss. Recognising this, the and partners in the — including the UN Forum on Forests and FAO — have long emphasised the critical link between forests and biodiversity. Forest biodiversity is also embedded in global commitments such as the Global Forest Goals, the , and the .

At the , to be held in Panama City from 20 to 24 October 2025, delegates will review and update the CBD’s expanded Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity [Agenda item 6(b)] in preparation for CBD COP17 in 2026.

To support these discussions, the International Arrangement on Forests Major Groups Internal Coordination Mechanism (IAF MG ICM) invites SBSTTA delegates and forest-related stakeholders to this webinar.

Objectives

• Share knowledge about the CBD’s expanded Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity and its alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Highlight lessons learned and recommendations from diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, women, and non-governmental organisations
• Strengthen coordination among forest-related stakeholder groups in advancing the UN Strategic Plan for Forests and the Global Forest Goals.

Programme highlights

• Welcome remarks – Mia Crawford, focal point for UNFF Major Group Farmers and Small Landowners; Board Member, International Family Forestry Alliance; Co-Chair, IAF MG ICM
• Overview of the CBD expanded Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity – Jamal Annagylyjova, Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration Officer, CBD Secretariat
• Biodiversity mainstreaming in forestry – Malgorzata Buszko-Briggs, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO
• Panel discussion: Stakeholder perspectives on forest biodiversity
  • Viviana Figueroa, Global Technical Coordinator, Argentina (Omaguaca), International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB); Indigenous Women Biodiversity Network
  • Cécile Ndjebet, focal point of UNFF Major Group Women; African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests (REFACOF)
  • Elena Kreuzberg, alternate focal point of UNFF Major Group NGOs; Global Forest Coalition
• Moderator – Fernanda Rodrigues, alternate focal point of UNFF Major Group Women

Read the concept note.