XXXIV Session of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC)

Organized by FHISLAC and FAO (by invitation; online meeting)

Organized by FAO

Forest governance in Latin America and the Caribbean faces increasing challenges due to the evolution and complexity of forest laws, which seek to adapt to the new challenges of sustainable forest use. However, policy fragmentation in the region limits the ability of countries to articulate strong and coordinated institutional frameworks. In this context, FAO is launching ForestLEX+, a practical tool designed to support countries in strengthening and harmonizing their forest legislation through legal diagnostics, technical assistance and capacity building.

The side event will provide a discussion on the importance of robust and coherent legal frameworks as key elements of effective forest governance. It will explore emerging trends and challenges in forest law and governance and highlight how ForestLEX+ can serve as a practical tool to support countries in strengthening their forest legislation. The result is expected to be a clear understanding of the usefulness of this tool, increased awareness among policymakers and technical experts about the challenges of legal fragmentation, as well as the identification of recent trends and developments in forest regulations in the region.

Online event. Registration must be completed at https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_48m08BvbQ-adO11hFGxEng prior to the event date.

Organized by FAO (by invitation; hybrid meeting)

Organized by FHISLAC and FAO

Invasive species and emerging pests such as the red palm weevil (RPW, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), reported in Uruguay in 2022 and considered the most destructive pest of palm species worldwide, pose serious threats to key forest areas of biodiversity value, including the palm groves of Rocha in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Bañados del Este, as well as biomes such as the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon, regional economies, and livelihoods.

To address the growing threats of pests and forest health decline, FAO established the Forest Health and Invasive Species Network for Latin America and the Caribbean (FHISLAC). Along with four other regional networks worldwide, FHISLAC works to strengthen regional cooperation on the prevention and management of invasive species and native pest outbreaks. In 2025, FHISLAC conducted a regional assessment on the state of forest health in the region, identifying key priorities for capacity development.

This technical meeting will bring together experts and practitioners to raise awareness of urgent forest health issues and strengthen coordination to improve the resilience of forests in the region against invasive species and native pest outbreaks. The focus of the meeting will be the regional emergency posed by the presence of the RPW and its potential spread, and it will feature expert speakers on the issue.

Online event. Registration must be completed at https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JZ0LWv-HSryR9djlExpd-w prior to the event date.

Related link: Emerging Threats to Forest Health in Latin America: A Regional Call to Action

Organized by FAO

Despite growing international commitments to halt deforestation, restore forests and promote their sustainable management, the financial resources available remain insufficient to achieve these goals. Faced with this challenge, the side event seeks to explore strategic routes to close the financing gap through a synergistic approach that combines national public investment, innovative international mechanisms and specific financial solutions that strengthen forest organizations and support the development of sustainable forest-based enterprises.

The event offers space for dialogue and reflection on opportunities to expand and diversify sources of financing for the forest sector. The expected results are to strengthen the recognition of the role of domestic public financing, increase knowledge about international financing mechanisms and opportunities, as well as identify innovative approaches that promote the sustainability and competitiveness of forestry companies in the region.

Hybrid event. Registration must be completed at https://fao.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aYUVGPLSQwuyDZhsebxOXw prior to the event date.