SADC Champions Sustainable Forest Management at UN Forum in New York
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for urgent and collective action on sustainable forest management, enhanced financing, and international cooperation during the Twentieth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20), held from 5–9 May 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Delegates from Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe joined global leaders to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 (UNSPF), which guides forest-related efforts across UN systems and partner institutions.
Leading the SADC Secretariat delegation, Ms. Ndapanda Kanime, Senior Programme Officer for Natural Resources and Wildlife, emphasized SADC’s commitment to reversing forest degradation through community-led restoration, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience.
“SADC Member States continue aligning national forestry programmes with UNSPF targets and goals. Through regional strategies, we’re enabling countries to sustainably manage both national and transboundary forest resources for economic development and ecological integrity,” said Ms. Kanime.
SADC used the platform to showcase regional efforts in forest restoration, community-based forest management, and biodiversity conservation—highlighting the region’s integration of forest strategies within the broader SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP 2020–2030), the SADC Forestry Strategy, and Climate Change Action Plans.
At a key side event on 7 May titled “Call for Action on Dryland Forests,” SADC delegates called for investment in capacity building, enhanced South-South cooperation, and expanded partnerships to address challenges like land degradation, agricultural expansion, and climate change pressures.
Ms. Kanime welcomed the launch of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network, emphasizing its role in improving access to forest financing and data-sharing among nations. She also praised UNFF’s communication efforts in raising the visibility of global forest goals.
SADC Member States reiterated the significance of engaging youth, women, and local communities in forest protection. National efforts to raise awareness—such as the annual commemoration of the International Day of Forests on March 21—were cited as valuable tools for community involvement.
The session closed with delegates reaffirming the global commitment to sustainable forest management, stressing its importance in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and the well-being of future generations.
