Forests, communities and innovation: Morocco hosts global dialogue on forest solutions
June 27, 2025
From 16 to 18 June 2025, forest leaders from around the world gathered in Agadir, Morocco, for a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) in support of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). Hosted by the Government of Morocco with support from the UNFF Secretariat, the three-day hybrid event brought together over 80 participants from more than 30 countries to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore future priorities for sustainable forest management.
The opening session featured welcoming remarks from senior officials representing national and international partners, including:
- Mr. Said Amzazi, Wali of the Souss Massa Region and Governor of the Prefecture of Agadir Ida Outanane
- Ms. Cécile Couprie, Regional Director for North Africa at the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
- Mr. Khaled Ben Abdullah Alabdulkader, Director of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Mr. Ismail Belen, Chair of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)
- Mr. Abderrahim Houmy, Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests of Morocco and Vice Chair of UNFF
- Ms. Juliette Biao, Director of the UNFF Secretariat
In their messages, the speakers emphasized the importance of international cooperation for forest sustainability and reaffirmed their support for the Global Forest Goals. The Government of Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, and Ms. Juliette Biao, Director of the UNFF Secretariat, emphasized the CLI’s contribution to shaping the agenda of the next UNFF session in 2026.
Structured around three key themes—community-based forest management, innovation and technology, and forest financing—the CLI featured seven expert panels and further exchanges among country representatives, international organizations, civil society, and researchers.
Key takeaways
- Communities at the heart of forest solutions: Participants stressed the need for secure land rights, equitable access to benefits, and strong partnerships with communities to ensure sustainable forest outcomes. Challenges such as climate risk, infrastructure gaps, and inequality were highlighted as ongoing barriers.
- Innovation bridging forest challenges: From wildfire management to forest monitoring, countries showcased science-based approaches and technologies that are transforming how forests are protected and restored. Concerns about unequal access to new tools prompted calls for greater global cooperation.
- Financing forests for the future: Countries shared creative financing models, such as payments for ecosystem services and national forest funds. They also pointed to challenges in accessing multilateral funds and called for clearer valuation of forests’ economic contributions.
The event concluded with a field visit to Souss-Massa National Park, where participants saw firsthand Morocco’s forest innovation in action. A summary of discussions and policy recommendations will feed into preparations for UNFF21, to be held in May 2026.