ForestLEX+: Strengthening National Legislation for Effective Forest Governance
FAO’s global initiative on forest legislation
ForestLEX+ equips countries with the legal knowledge, expertise, tools and capacity to strengthen forest governance and to promote coherence with related sectoral legal frameworks. A key input to the programme is legislative mapping, which forms the cornerstone of evidence-based analysis at the national level. It enables countries to systematically examine forestry legislation alongside related sectoral laws—including climate change and biodiversity—and identify gaps, overlaps and needs.
Why law matters for forests
Forests underpin biodiversity, climate regulation and livelihoods. Yet in many countries, the laws that govern them are outdated or fragmented, while the growing number of international instruments makes obligations and guidance difficult to navigate. ForestLEX+ consolidates legal knowledge and practice so countries can identify gaps, improve coherence across forestry and related sectors, and ensure alignment between national priorities and international commitments.
What ForestLEX+ delivers
ForestLEX+ provides three interconnected outputs that help countries strengthen their capacity and carry out their own legal assessments:
Legal reference
A structured reference on forest legislation and governance, built from legislative mapping, comparative analysis and FAO’s legal expertise.
Diagnostic tools and guidance
Practical instruments such as checklists, assessment templates and illustrative provisions that enable national stakeholders to review and improve their laws, ensure coherence across sectors, and support both international commitments and national priorities.
Capacity training
Tailored workshops, online courses and training of trainers that build national expertise for implementation, compliance and enforcement.
Partnerships
ForestLEX+ depends on broad collaboration with governments, international organisations, academia, civil society and forest dependent communities, ensuring shared ownership and practical relevance.
A dedicated Think Tank of legal and technical specialists provides strategic advice and quality assurance, ensuring that the programme remains relevant to evolving national contexts and global forest governance challenges.
Contact
FAO Development Law Service
[email protected]
Outcomes
ForestLEX+ contributes to effective forest governance by supporting the strengthening of national legal frameworks for the sustainable and equitable use of forests and forest products. By embedding alignment with international commitments, it empowers countries to design, implement and enforce coherent frameworks consistent with their own priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.