This joint initiative proposes ways to reduce forest-related reporting burden through reducing and streamlining reporting requests, synchronizing reporting cycles, harmonizing data collection methods, increasing data comparability and compatibility, and facilitating the accessibility and flows of existing information.
The work under this initiative aims to guide ongoing international processes by sharing experiences and lessons learned on different reporting frameworks and by seeking possibilities for common approaches for data and information collection, storage and reporting by international organizations. In the longer term, the work aims to contribute to better information management system(s), whereby data and information will be more easily accessible and widely available, and in which the information could eventually be inserted and updated by countries themselves.
In 2025, main activities include the preparation of the Global Core Set (GCS) country profile template, along with the piloting of geospatial tools for reporting on the extent of primary forest, collaboration on data sharing, and drafting of the Global Forest Goals 2026 report.
In 2026, efforts will focus on the production and dissemination of GCS country profiles, finalization of the guidance for improved reporting on primary forests, development of a policy brief on the status and changes in primary forest area, and a proposal for the definition of degraded forest.
In 2027, the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2030 Expert Consultation will be held, alongside further work on Tier 3 indicators, including a review and possible reclassification of some indicators (e.g., 7: area of degraded forests, 12: employment related to the forest sector, 15: financial resources from all sources for the implementation of SFM, 21: existence of traceability system(s) for wood products), and drafting of guidance on reporting on the extent of degraded forest.
In 2028, a joint workshop will be organized on international reporting on forests for focal points of all relevant member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, aimed at enhancing cooperation, coordination, coherence, and synergies, in line with their respective mandates, and reducing the reporting burden on countries.
The joint initiative will operationalize the GCS by improving methods and data for lower tier indicators as well as by producing related reporting guidance. The joint initiative will also pilot production of GCS country profiles for all 236 countries and territories of the world in the context of the Global Forest Goals 2026 report.
In 2002, UNFF member states mandated a CPF Task Force for streamlining forest-related reporting.
The CBD Secretariat was requested by the COP-10 COP in decision based on the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) Task Group on Simplifying Forest Reporting, including Organization, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Agriculture, a meeting of the Task Force, before the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties, to verify whether there are gaps in the monitoring and reporting of forest biodiversity aware of the need to follow up on the decision IX/5, section 3 (g), with the aim of further improving the biodiversity component of the Global Forest Resources Assessment and other relevant processes and initiatives; and a progress report to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting prior to the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties.
To respond to this request, the CBD, together with UNFF, FAO and other CPF members, requested the preparation of a study on forest categories to be published as a background document for the Subsidiary Body responsible for providing scientific information, technical and technological advice to the CBD in the session to be held from April 30 to May 2012.
