NEW YORK, May 13. /Dunyo IA/. The 21^st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests has opened under the auspices of ECOSOC at the UN Headquarters in New York, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Delegations from more than 180 UN member states, along with representatives of international organizations, financial institutions and civil society, are participating in the forum.

Our country's delegation is led by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Ecological Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.

The forum participants focus on the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030, financing sustainable forest management, combating deforestation and land degradation, and preparing for the Decade of Action for Afforestation and Reforestation 2027-2036.

It should be specifically noted that in 2025, Uzbekistan initiated the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming 2027-2036 as the Decade of Action for Afforestation and Reforestation.

Within the framework of the Decade, the implementation of practical measures is envisioned to develop a Global Road Map, promote the “Regional Green Shield” initiative, introduce the practice of planting drought-resistant plant species and establish early warning systems for dust and sandstorms along the global desert belt.

At the forum, the Uzbek side informed the participants about the practical measures being implemented in Uzbekistan for afforestation, the protection of forestry resources, and the fight against land degradation, as well as efforts to mitigate their impacts.

The drying of the Aral Sea, which turned into the Aralkum Desert in just a single generation, was cited as one of the most vivid examples of an ecological crisis.

Information was also presented on the implementation of the “Yashil Makon” (Green Space) nationwide greening program initiated by the President of Uzbekistan. It was noted that over the past five years, more than one billion trees and shrubs have been planted in the country, increasing the green coverage level from 8% to 14%, with plans to bring this figure to 30% by 2030.

Uzbekistan's readiness to host an international ministerial conference on afforestation and reforestation in the near future was announced.

On the sidelines of the forum, separate bilateral meetings were also held with Claude Gascon, Director of the Global Environment Facility (GEF); Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo, Director of the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat; Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Associate Administrator and Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action. During the talks, prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of reforestation, financing environmental projects and the practical implementation of the Decade of Action for Afforestation and Reforestation were discussed.

The forum will continue its work until May 15^th, 2026.