From 3 to 5 November 2026, over 150 representatives from more than 20 tropical forest countries around the world gathered in Rome, Italy, for the "GFOI country forum: A South-South knowledge exchange (GFOI SSX)", the leading opportunity to exchange practical expertise in forest monitoring.
Designed with a central focus on peer-to-peer learning, discussions covered funding and costs for sustainable national forest monitoring systems (NFMSs); measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) requirements; and transparency in commodity supply chains.
Keep scrolling to find the key outcomes, recordings and photos from the week.
The forum opened by highlighting the growing sophistication of forest monitoring in tropical countries, with leaders stressing the momentum in global forest protection and the shift toward peer-to-peer learning.
.tmb-th600x400.jpeg?sfvrsn=8bd519fb_1 "FAO Vanessa Vertiz (3)")
Rome, 3 November – Representatives from approximately 22 tropical forest countries gathered at the Food and Agriculture Organization...
Representatives from tropical forest countries around the world gathered in Rome, Italy, from 3 to 5 November 2026 for the GFOI country...
Participants explored how to build a clearer understanding of the full costs of national forest monitoring systems and secure more diverse funding sources anchored in national budgets.
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=277a334c_1 "FAO Madison Ziegler (1)")
Delegates from nine countries explored how to sustainably finance national forest monitoring systems (NFMSs) during a workshop on...
Discussions looked at how existing MRV systems could support future participation in the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, alongside technical questions on area estimation and lessons from carbon markets.
Tropical forest countries gathered at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome from 3 to 5 November...
Countries highlighted the need to connect existing monitoring and traceability systems rather than replace them, so that smallholder producers can benefit from systems that collect their data once and reuse it responsibly.
.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=d34efea2_1 "DSC_7505_05112026 (1)")
Coffee from Kenya, cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire, rubber from Malaysia and Cambodia, palm oil from Indonesia. Behind each of these commodities are millions...
Across all sessions, a common challenge was made evident: countries need forest data that is credible, useful for multiple purposes and supported over time.
Looking to the future, the forum closed with a call to make peer learning a sustained part of national forest monitoring. Together, we are building a forest monitoring community where every country’s progress strengthens the whole.
ce73b6d3-335e-4c85-8f57-b31f19917ad2.tmb-th600x400.jpg?sfvrsn=75778a6d_1 "FAO Vanessa Vertiz (3)")
Rome, 5 November – Participants at the
Representatives from tropical forest countries around the world gathered in Rome, Italy, from 3 to 5 November 2026 for the GFOI country forum: A South-South...
This event was organized by the GFOI Office and AIM4Forests programme, as hosted by FAO, on behalf of all GFOI partners. It was made possible with the financial support provided by the governments of Germany (via AIM4Commodities), Norway (via the GFOI Office) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (via AIM4Forests).
