Strengthening Conservation of Primary Forests through Partnership Enhancement and Coordination of Support

The objective of this project is to prevent the loss of tropical primary forests worldwide by strengthening their protection and conservation, which will in turn contribute to mitigating climate change, preventing biodiversity loss and land degradation, while improving the livelihoods of the communities that depend upon them.

Problem and issues to be addressed:

Primary forests play a critical role in carbon storage and sequestration, biodiversity conservation and other ecosystem services, as well as livelihoods support. Their conservation is fundamental for achieving multiple global goals, including the UNSPF Global Forest Goals and the objectives of the CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD and several SDGs.

Currently, there is insufficient recognition and conservation of primary forests globally, especially tropical primary forests. The lack of understanding and integration of the values and benefits of primary forests in global policy agendas and forest financing strategies has led to their inadequate prioritization, contributing to ongoing deforestation and loss of these vital ecosystems. Lack of coordination and information-sharing mechanisms has further hindered donor engagement and resulted in a funding gap that hampers effective conservation efforts.

The objective of this project will be accomplished through knowledge packaging and dissemination and capacity development that will raise the visibility of tropical primary forests among stakeholders, policymakers, and the public, transforming how they are perceived and ensuring their inclusion in forest financing strategies, conservation initiatives, and the global policy agenda. The project will also facilitate and stimulate financing for tropical primary forest conservation by establishing robust donor-recipient dialogue and coordination mechanisms and providing information on financing opportunities. The project seeks to enhance the work of the GFFFN, supporting countries in developing forest finance strategies that prioritize intact tropical primary forests. This transformative approach will strengthen financing mechanisms, foster innovative approaches, and mobilize resources towards the conservation of tropical primary forests.

The project aligns with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) in enhancing coordination on global forest issues among relevant international forest-related organizations.