Jinapor calls for increased forest finance at UN forum
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, MP, has called on world leaders to increase financing for forest action, to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Speaking at the Nineteenth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Minister emphasized the urgent need to re-examine forest financing options to stimulate investment efforts towards achieving globally agreed goals on forests, climate change, and biodiversity.
The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established in 2000 to promote the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests, and to strengthen long-term political commitment towards this goal.
Comprised of all UN Member States, the Forum meets annually to assess progress, adopt decisions, and make commitments towards achieving its goal.
The nineteenth session of the Forum, which began on May 6, 2024, is also undertaking a mid-term review of the implementation of the International Arrangements on Forests.
On Thursday, May 9, the Forum held its High-Level Ministerial Segment and forest partnership dialogue on the theme, “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science, and technology.”
Addressing the Forum, Mr. Jinapor expressed concern over the continued destruction of global forests, despite increasing global knowledge and understanding of environmental challenges and the potential of forests to contribute to tackling these challenges.
He cited data from the World Resources Institute, which indicated that tropical primary forest loss in 2023 alone totaled 3.7 million hectares and accounted for 2.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (2.4GtCO2e). Additionally, an estimated $393 billion annually is required to save the world’s forests.
Referring to these statistics, Mr. Jinapor emphasized the urgent need for global leaders to take concerted action to save the world’s forests and protect the lives and livelihoods of the 1.6 billion people who depend on forest resources for survival.
He highlighted initiatives undertaken by Ghana, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, such as the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, the Green Ghana Project, and the Ghana REDD+ Strategy.
Mr. Jinapor underscored the enormous challenges faced by developing countries, which host 45% of global forests, particularly in terms of financial resources for protection and conservation.
He lamented the continuous default by developed countries to honour their pledges to support developing countries in sustainable forest management, including inconsistencies in carbon pricing.
In addition to increased financing, Mr. Jinapor called for comprehensive programs to incentivize local communities dependent on forests to preserve these resources, emphasizing the broader benefits of forest conservation to the world.
The Forum, scheduled to end on Saturday, May 11, 2024, will adopt a Declaration and resolutions aimed at promoting sustainable forest management.
