For Immediate Release: May 14, 2026
New York – Representatives from several Tropical Forest Countries, partner countries, the World Bank and supporting institutions gathered at the margins of the 21st UN Forum on Forests for a dialogue on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), hosted by co-chairs Brazil and Norway. The discussion underscored the strong demand for the innovative forest finance mechanism, which launched at COP30 with $6.7 billion in commitments and 67 country endorsements, representing more than 90 percent of tropical forest cover in developing countries.
Co-chaired by Brazil and Norway, the session unveiled details of the progress, institutional set up, interim governance, eligibility requirements, timelines, and sequencing toward formal establishment of the TFFF. Participants emphasized the importance of keeping momentum, both towards capitalization of the TFFF and engagement with Tropical Forest Countries (TFCs). Representatives from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ organizations gave their inputs to develop the necessary structures and systems to ensure that the allocation of at least 20 percent of forest payments go to IPLCs.
CONNECTING COUNTRIES WITH SUPPORT FOR ELIGIBILITY
Tropical Forest Countries discussed the technical assistance and capacity building required to meet TFFF’s eligibility requirements, and to receive forest payments when they begin.
While the Facility itself does not offer support to Tropical Forest Countries seeking accession to TFFF, the event showcased several technical partners willing to assist TFCs to get to the eligibility point. They include the United Nations Development Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International, WWF, actors related to the Global Environment Facility and the Green Climate Fund, and philanthropies such as the Rockefeller Brothers Fund RBF.
ALIGNING ON TIMELINES
The event enabled the Facility, Tropical Forest Countries, and technical partners to develop a common understanding on expectations around the projected timeframes for capitalization, eligibility evaluation, and first payments. Since COP30, the Facility has made fast progress toward implementation. Provided this momentum continues, and capitalization, eligibility review, and operational procedures are in place, first payments to Tropical Forest Countries could begin in two years’ time.
JOINING FORCES FOR CAPITALIZATION
The dialogue deepened the shared commitment to sustaining tropical forests through TFFF’s results-based payments, and built momentum for its full capitalization. Tropical Forest Countries were encouraged to emphasize the importance of contributing to TFFF to potential sponsor countries.
Patrick Luna, Head of the Biodiversity Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil:
“The demand among Tropical Forest Countries for predictable, long-term forest conservation financing is clear. TFFF payments will transform these countries’ abilities to conserve and sustainably use the forests whose services underpin life on our planet. Sponsor countries must step up and commit to investing in the TFFF. Their contribution today will be repaid within a few decades, yet it will protect tropical forests at unprecedented scale for generations.”
Andreas Dahl-Jørgensen, Director, Norway International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI):
“The science and the economics of tropical forest protection are clear and compel us to action. Maintaining tropical forests standing is not only critical for meeting global climate and nature goals, but also indispensable for global food and water security. Investing in tropical forests delivers returns that dwarf the cost of inaction. The TFFF offers an opportunity for the world to come together to create a long-term incentive structure for forests, in addition to critical near term efforts.”
Dr. Joseph Malassi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Delegate Minister in Charge of the New Climate Economy, in the Ministry of Environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
“The Congo Basin is critical global infrastructure. It regulates our climate, secures our water, and underpins economies well beyond the region itself. TFFF recognizes that maintaining forests, like roads, bridges or power grids, require investments. Congo Basin countries are eager for this new model of forest protection and sustainable development. Countries will work to get ready to receive its funds, and are proud to be useful for its capitalisation. If you breathe air on this planet, you need tropical forests well maintained and protected.”
Juan Carlos Jintiach, Executive Secretary of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC):
“Our forests, wetlands, and savannas—governed under our own laws, customs, and traditional knowledge—hold more living diversity than any protected area designed without us. This is the result of generations of Indigenous governance, knowledge systems refined over millennia, and the unbreakable bond between our Peoples and our territories. TFFF’s direct payment mechanism finally aligns resources with reality and recognizes us as sovereign rights holders whose governance systems are the most effective and most proven force for protecting nature on this planet.
“TFFF funds will decisively strengthen our capacity to defend our territories against deforestation, extractivism, and dispossession; to exercise our governance with the resources it demands; and to pass our ancestral knowledge on to the next generation. We are now engaged in a rigorous, inclusive global process to ensure that our Peoples—everywhere—are fully prepared, fully empowered, and fully recognized as irreplaceable.”
Cassie Flynn, Director, Planet Hub, United Nations Development Programme:
“A robust forest finance mechanism is only half the equation. It is critical that countries can align policies and build institutions to have an impact on the ground with TFFF. UNDP is committed to providing that bridge, working directly with governments in the global South and Indigenous Peoples to build the governance structures that will allow them to access and use TFFF funds effectively and equitably.”
Claude Gascon, Interim Director of the Global Environment Facility:
“Through the upcoming GEF-9 cycle starting soon in July, the GEF will continue to support countries in their efforts to conserve their most valuable forests, notably, the primary forests. Recognizing the crucial importance of sustainable finance for forest conservation, the GEF will enable countries to use their allocation to develop their policy and capacity readiness to access TFFF resources. The financial gap for forest protection remains considerable and so collaboration between existing financial mechanisms is a must.”
Michael Northrop, Director of Sustainable Development Grantmaking at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund:
“Creating the TFFF is like building a bridge from multiple shores at once. Each country, community and partner is laying their section with care and precision, using a shared blueprint so that when we meet in the middle, the structure will click into place and hold. Today’s dialogue was an important part of that work. The demand and commitment in this room is real. The philanthropic community will continue to support this critical work.”
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