Kathmandu: Lok Bahandur Thapa, UN ECOSOC President, delivered an opening statement at the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) on May 11. He emphasized that forests are home to most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, and they remain among our most effective natural allies in addressing climate change.
In his remarks, President Thapa highlighted how sustainably managed forests support livelihoods, protect watersheds, preserve biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and contribute directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Drawing from Nepal’s experiences with community forest management, he stressed that when forests thrive, communities prosper, biodiversity rebounds, and the climate breathes easier.
At a time of growing climate and development challenges, we must strengthen implementation, align policies and investments, and support countries most vulnerable to deforestation and climate impacts. As President Thapa noted, sustainable forest management is not only an environmental agenda – it is a development imperative, a climate necessity, and a moral responsibility.
