The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has urged global leaders to increase funding for forest conservation efforts to address the interconnected challenges of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Addressing the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Minister emphasized the crucial role of forests in addressing these pressing environmental issues.
He stressed the need to reevaluate forest financing mechanisms to mobilize investments towards achieving international goals on forests, climate change, and biodiversity.
Established in 2000 as a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UNFF aims to promote the sustainable management, conservation, and development of all forest types worldwide. Comprising all UN Member States, the Forum convenes annually to review progress, adopt decisions, and make commitments towards its objectives.
The ongoing nineteenth session of the Forum, which commenced on May 6, 2024, includes a mid-term review of the implementation of the International Arrangements on Forests. On Thursday, May 9, the Forum conducted its High-Level Ministerial Segment and forest partnership dialogue focused on the theme, “Forest-based solutions to the triple planetary crises: A focus on people, science and technology.”
In his address to the Forum, Mr. Jinapor expressed grave concern over the persistent degradation of global forests, despite growing awareness of environmental issues and the significant role forests play in addressing them.
Citing data from the World Resources Institute, he highlighted that tropical primary forest loss in 2023 amounted to 3.7 million hectares, resulting in 2.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, an estimated $393 billion annually is needed to safeguard the world’s forests.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action by world leaders to protect forests, safeguard the planet, and ensure the well-being of the 1.6 billion people who rely on forest resources for their livelihoods.
He outlined Ghana’s efforts under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership to promote forest conservation, including initiatives such as the Ghana Forest Plantation Strategy, the Green Ghana Project, and the Ghana REDD+ Strategy.
Highlighting the challenges faced by developing countries, which host 45% of global forests, Mr. Jinapor underscored the financial constraints hindering effective forest protection and conservation efforts. Despite these challenges, Ghana remains committed to sustainable forest management, allocating limited resources to prioritize forest preservation.
The Minister expressed frustration over the ongoing failure of developed nations to fulfill their promises of assisting developing countries in sustainable forest management. He highlighted this lack of commitment, noting that it is further evidenced by the inconsistency in carbon pricing.
“Why should the price of carbon in Europe, for example, be different from Africa, or in the Americas be different from Asia?”, the Minister quizzed.