Regional Forestry Commissions
Six Regional Forestry Commissions were established by the FAO Conference between 1947 and 1959. Every two years, the commissions bring together the Heads of Forestry in each major region of the world to address the most important forestry policy and technical issues in the region. They play a key role in the international arrangement on forests, serving as a link between global dialogue at the Committee on Forestry (COFO) and the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), and national implementation.
Regional Forestry Commissions are also active in-between formal sessions. Most of the commissions have technical working groups or sub-regional chapters that implement projects that benefit from collaboration among countries in the region.
News
Protecting forests is protecting Africa's agrifood systems
17/12/2025
When forests thrive, so do communities and agriculture, explains Ewald Rametsteiner, Deputy Director of FAO's Forestry Division.
New FAO tools to help countries halt deforestation through sustainable agrifood systems transformation
16/12/2025
A new suite of tools launched today by FAO will help countries identify practical, systemic solutions to halt deforestation while advancing sustainable agrifood systems.
Africa rallies around forest innovation as AFWC25 opens in Gambia
01/12/2025
The 25th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission has opened in Banjul, The Gambia, with a clear call for African countries to scale up innovation and reinforce political commitment to protect and restore Africa’s forests and wildlife.