Vienna Call for Action urges progress on sustainable forest-based bioeconomy

Vienna - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomed a call today for urgent action to accelerate progress towards a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy. 

The Vienna Call for Action was endorsed by participants at the close of the three-day Global Summit of the Country-Led Initiative on Advancing Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches in Vienna, Austria. The event was co-chaired by the governments of Austria and South Africa and co-organized with FAO and other partners.

The Call for Action appeals to governments, private sector organizations, research institutions and civil society to work together towards a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy, supporting the development of resilient economies while addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

“We welcome the Vienna Call for Action as a significant step forward towards a sustainable forest-based bioeconomy,” said Zhimin Wu, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of the Forestry Division. “This is no longer a vision for the future – it is a solution for today if we act together and at scale.”

Forest products crucial for bioeconomy

A sustainable bioeconomy uses renewable natural materials including plants, trees and other biological resources to provide products and services with a lower carbon footprint. It aims to support economic development while also protecting the environment and ensuring benefits are shared fairly across society.

Forests are especially important in a bioeconomy as they are among the world’s richest natural ecosystems. When forests are managed sustainably, they provide materials, support local jobs and communities and help economic growth, while protecting nature and social well-being.

Five priority areas

The Vienna Call for Action underlines that the necessary tools and technologies already exist to expand forest-based bioeconomy solutions. The challenge is turning fragmented progress into widespread, large-scale change.

It identifies key actions needed in five priority areas: taking leadership for systemic transformation; ensuring an inclusive bioeconomy; mobilizing targeted financial resources; creating enabling conditions for forest-based value chains and innovation; and building collaborative partnerships at all levels.

The Call for Action also outlines steps governments should take to ensure future increased demand and supply for sustainably produced forest products and create enabling conditions. It calls for global partnerships to be strengthened so that solutions can be shared and implemented widely.  

Informing global discussions

The Vienna Call for Action is a key outcome of this week’s global summit, which brought together leaders from government, science, industry, civil society and major groups to drive forward innovative and inclusive bioeconomy solutions that put sustainable forest management at the core.

The summit included a session on the Collaborative Partnership on Forests’ “Grow the Solution” initiative, which encourages the behaviour changes needed for a rapid transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

The summit is part of a wider Country and Organization-Led Initiative on Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches (COLI). Its outcomes, including a Co-Chairs Summary with recommendations, will inform discussions at the 21st Session of UNFF in May 2026 and contribute to the 28th session of FAO’s Committee on Forestry (28 September-2 October 2026).