This is the sixth edition of the biennial report on the current state of global forest resources and recent developments and emerging issues in the forest sector. It includes contributions from key non-governmental organisations and from individuals, as well as articles written by FAO staff. This edition focuses on options for sustainable forestry management to maximise the sector's economic viability, and issues discussed include forest resources, conservation aspects, institutional issues and legal frameworks, international policy developments, the economic benefits of agroforestry, wood energy production, import tariffs and non-tariff measures, and the impact of violent conflicts on forest resources.

Nearly three years ago, world leaders agreed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the central framework for guiding development policies throughout the world. This edition of The State of the World’s Forests is aimed at enhancing our understanding of how forests and their sustainable management contribute to achieving several of the SDGs. Time is running out for the world’s forests: we need to work across sectors, bring stakeholders together, and take urgent action. The State of the World’s Forests 2018 identifies actions that can be taken to increase the contributions of forests and trees that are necessary to accelerate progress towards the SDGs. It is now critical that steps be taken to work more effectively with the private sector, and the informal forest sector must be transformed in order to bring broader economic, social and environmental benefits. Seventy years ago, when FAO completed its first assessment of the world’s forest resources, the major concern was whether there would be enough timber to supply global demand; now we recognize the greater global relevance of our forests and trees. For the first time, The State of the World’s Forests 2018 provides an assessment of the contribution of forests and trees to our landscapes and livelihoods. The purpose of this publication is to provide a much wider audience with an understanding of why forests and trees matter for people, the planet and posterity.

This is the sixth edition of the biennial report on the current state of global forest resources and recent developments and emerging issues in the forest sector. It includes contributions from key non-governmental organisations and from individuals, as well as articles written by FAO staff. This edition focuses on options for sustainable forestry management to maximise the sector's economic viability, and issues discussed include forest resources, conservation aspects, institutional issues and legal frameworks, international policy developments, the economic benefits of agroforestry, wood energy production, import tariffs and non-tariff measures, and the impact of violent conflicts on forest resources.

This is the 7th edition of the FAO's biennial report on the state of global forest resources, recent developments and emerging issues in the forest sector. This edition focuses on progress towards sustainable forest management at the regional and global levels, with each regional report structured according to seven thematic elements: the extent of forest resources; biological diversity; forest health and vitality; productive functions of forest resources; protective functions of forest resources; socio-economic functions; and legal, policy and institutional frameworks. These summaries are based on the most current information available, including new data from the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005 (FRA 2005). The report goes on to consider 18 key issues in the forest sector, including: climate change, forest landscape restoration, forest tenure, invasive species, wildlife management and wood energy. The overall conclusion is that whilst progress is being made, it is very uneven with those regions with developing economies and tropical ecosystems continuing to lose forest area whilst lacking adequate institutions to reverse this trend. The biggest limitation for evaluating progress is weak data, with many countries lacking the financial resources to undertake national forest assessments.

The 2012 edition of State of the Worlds Forests focuses on the critical role that forests play in sustainable production and consumption systems. In this milestone tenth edition of FAOs flagship forestry publication, it is appropriate to take a look back to understand the important role that forests and forestry have played in shaping the world as it is today. This publication has informed readers about the status and changes in the worlds forests, forest products and ecosystem services, and forest policies since the series was introduced in 1995.

Published biennially, this title offers a global view of major developments affecting forests. It places more emphasis on the 'demand side': What will be the impact on forests of future increases in global population, economic development and globalization? "State of the World's Forests", published biennially, provides a global view of major developments affecting forests. The theme for the 2009 edition is 'Society, forests and forestry: adapting for the future'. The 2007 issue reviewed 'Progress towards sustainable forest management' with an emphasis on the 'supply side', in particular forest resources. "State of the World's Forests 2009" places more emphasis on the 'demand side': What will be the impact on forests of future increases in global population, economic development and globalization? Is the explosion in global trade having positive or negative effects on the world's forests? Will the forest sector continue to have a major role in providing livelihoods for rural communities? This eighth edition looks forward. Part One summarizes the outlook for forests and forestry in each region of the world. FAO periodically carries out regional forest sector outlook studies in collaboration with countries and organizations in each region. The results of studies for all regions are summarized and presented here for the first time in a single publication. A main pattern that emerges is a strong correlation between economic development and the state of forests. Countries that are undergoing rapid economic growth tend to struggle with immense pressures on their forests. In contrast, regions that have already achieved a high level of economic development are usually able to stabilize or increase their forest area. However, the factors affecting forests are numerous and complex, making it difficult to draw simple conclusions or to make reliable projections. Part Two considers how forestry will have to adapt for the future. It begins with a global outlook for wood products demand to 2030, noting changing patterns in production, consumption and trade. Next, a chapter on environmental services of forests probes the various market and non-market mechanisms evolving to help forests and trees fulfill their environmental service functions of land, water and biodiversity protection, carbon storage and others. A look at progress in institutional adaptation notes that many forestry institutions are having difficulty in adapting to rapid changes in communications, globalisation and society's expectations. Those institutions that are willing and able to adapt are more likely to be successful in the future. Finally, Part Two examines developments in science and technology, which will continue to have an enormous impact on the future of forests and forestry. Imagine a world in which trees are a major source of fuel for cars, replacing oil. Only a few years ago this seemed like fantasy, but today the possibility must be seriously considered.

Assesses progress to date in meeting global targets and goals related to forest biodiversity and examines the effectiveness of policies, actions and approaches, in terms of both conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

The publication was prepared based on information provided by 86 countries, outcomes from regional and subregional consultations and commissioned thematic studies. It includes: •an overview of definitions and concepts related to Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) and a review of their value; •a description of the main drivers of changes; •the presentation of key emerging technologies; •an analysis of the current status of FGR conservation, use and related developments; •recommendations addressing the challenges and needs. By the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Professor Max Krott, Director of the Institute of Forest Policy and Nature Conservation at the University of Göttingen, Germany, introduces the most important political players and stakeholders, including the forest owners, the general population, forest workers and employees, forest associations and administration, as well as the media. He illustrates the political and regulatory instruments using examples in current forest policy. Forest Policy Analysis places a special emphasis on the informal processes that are indispensable in understanding practical politics. References made to current English and German-language publications on forest policy studies enable further information to be found with concern to special issues.