Forest data transparency is not only about collecting data, but also about turning it into information that is understandable and usable. In this context, Guatemala is setting a regional milestone by making the data from its national forest inventory (NFI) publicly avail...

More than 120 government representatives and experts gathered in Naivasha, Kenya, on 14-16 April 2026 for the 2026 Global Transparency Community Meetings. In the peaceful setting of Kenya’s natural landscape, under the theme of Transparency to drive effective implementation of NDC 3.0, the mee...

The Government of Spain, through the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), has taken a further step in its commitment to forest data transparency by making the metadata and associated resources of its National Forest Inventory (NFI) publicly available in the Food and Agriculture Microdata (FAM) Catalogue of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Forests are among the most powerful natural allies in the fight against climate change. They store vast amounts of carbon, support biodiversity, and sustain the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. Yet to effectively protect and manage forests – and to harness their full potential for climate action – countries need reliable, transparent, and accessible data. Without accurate information on forest resources and their changes over time, it is difficult to track progress toward climate goals, design evidence-based policies, or ensure accountability in forest and land-use management. 

The 2026 Global Transparency Community Meetings will take place on 14–16 April 2026 in Naivasha, Kenya, under the theme Transparency to Drive Effective Implementation of NDC 3.0.

UN Climate Change News, 24 March 2026 – Forests are not only vital ecosystems but also indispensable to economies and industries worldwide. This year’s International Day of Forests highlights the crucial link between forests and economies, underscoring the role forests play ac...

As the UN-REDD Programme enters its 2026–2030 strategic phase, strengthening transparency, integrity, and ambition in forest-based climate action has become more important than ever.

The new strategy emphasizes the importance of robust monitoring systems and reliable data to demonstrate ...

Papua New Guinea has reached a significant milestone in improving forest data transparency and governance with the publication of its national forest inventory (NFI) in the Food and ...

Open Foris is a free, open-source initiative of forest and land monitoring solutions developed by FAO. The portfolio makes environmental monitoring more accessible, transparent, and collaborative for governments, communities, researchers, and practitioners worldwide.

From collecting ...

Digital badges issued by FAO’s elearning Academy are more than symbols of course completion. They are verifiable credentials that recognize concrete skills and learning achievements, increasingly recognized by professionals and students worldwide.

Over the past two years, under the project “Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector (CBIT-Forest): accelerating capacity-building, knowledge-shar...

In a rapidly changing climate, forests are indispensable for our planet's future.

Across regions, forests are measured, mapped, and managed by people working in national forest services, universities, research institutes, and local projects. Their work ranges from field inventory to satellite data analysis, from emissions reporting to maintaining long-term forest informatio...

The session entitled “The crucial roles of women, youth, and Indigenous peoples in forest conservation”, held at the Forest Pavilion during COP30 on 17 November 2025, brought together Indigenous leaders and youth representatives from four regions of the world to reflect on the roots of effective forest governance. At the heart of the discussion was a shared recognition that forest monitoring is a cornerstone of sustainable forest management: without reliable data, inclusive monitoring systems and transparent reporting, neither conservation nor climate action can be effective or equitable.

Ecuador's Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE, Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía de Ecuador) promotes open access to information about its forests through the publication of the first cycle of the National Forest Assessment (ENF, Evaluación Nacional Forestal) in the FAO's Food and Agriculture Microdata catalogue (FAM), supported by the project Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forestry sector (CBIT-Forest).

The Government of Colombia, through the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM, in Spanish), has published the data from the first cycle of Colombia’s National Forest Inventory in FAO's 

In an historic moment for the world's forests, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) was successfully Launched at COP 30 in Brazil, mobilizing over USD 5.5 billion and endorsements from 53 Countries. Most significantly, 34 tropical forest countries endorsed the TFFF Declaration, covering...

Kosovo has taken an important step in advancing its forest monitoring by launching the third cycle (2024–2025) of the National Forest Inventory (NFI). Building on earlier inventories conducted in 2002 and 2012, this new cycle marks a major technological leap forward through the integration of Open Foris Arena and Arena Mobile – open-source digital platforms that streamline data collection, processing, and quality assurance. 

At the World Food Forum 2025, the side event “Young Forest Champions: Indigenous and Rural Youth in Action” celebrated youth leadership in forest monitoring, restoration, and sustainable food systems — culminating in the launch of the Global Youth Network for Forest Monitoring. 

At a dedicated side event during the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) Plenary 2025 held on 23 October 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a new digital report highlighting experiences and lessons learned from national ...