New York, 6 May 2025 – Representatives from key tropical forest countries and partners from the Global South convened on the sidelines of the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF20), at the invitation of the Government of Brazil, to strengthen political engagement with the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a global initiative aimed at recognizing and conserving tropical moist broadleaf forests.
The meeting took place at the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations in New York and gathered tropical forest countries and other Global South partners – both from the interim TFFF Steering Committee and from other countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The event reflected the growing interest in performance-based and inclusive forest finance mechanisms aligned with the objectives of the three Rio Conventions.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong interest and shared commitment of the Global South to innovative approaches for forest protection. It also marked an important step toward building consensus around the TFFF as a transformative instrument to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Forest Goals, and the objectives of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests.
Opening the event, Brazil’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio Danese, emphasized the significance of the gathering: “The presence of so many countries from the Global South – gathered here with creativity and resolve – shows that international cooperation remains alive and well. Initiatives like the TFFF are proof that multilateralism continues to be a powerful path to addressing shared threats.” He added that as the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, “we are reminded of a lasting lesson: that only through partnerships, collective action, and shared determination can we build sustainable solutions.”
Ambassador Danese also highlighted the Facility’s innovative approach: “The TFFF addresses a long-standing market failure by treating standing forests as permanent natural assets – valuable and worthy of compensation. It blends public and private finance and relies on results-based payments to reward countries and communities for preserving their forest stocks.”
Following the Ambassador, Mr. Garo Batmanian, Director-General of the Brazilian Forest Service, presented the Facility’s key technical features: “The TFFF responds to two urgent needs: first, rewarding countries that have already succeeded in reducing deforestation; and second, ensuring long-term, predictable, and stable funding for forest conservation.” He explained that eligible tropical countries would receive an annual fixed payment of USD 4 per hectare of standing tropical moist forest, with deductions for deforestation or degradation caused by fire. At least 20% of the proceeds must be allocated directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Mr. Batmanian also emphasized the Facility’s innovative financing model: “Instead of relying on traditional development aid, the TFFF will be backed by an investment fund capitalized through sovereign guarantees, loans, and other instruments, leveraging up to four times more funding from private investors. The goal is to attain a high credit rating to ensure steady returns and secure the annual payments to participating countries.”
During the event, participating countries expressed appreciation to Brazil for organizing the meeting and acknowledged the relevance and timeliness of the TFFF initiative. Several delegations voiced support for the proposal, recognizing its potential to contribute to global forest conservation efforts. Countries also posed questions and offered constructive comments on the Facility’s structure and implementation. There was a shared understanding of the need to expand awareness, deepen technical understanding, and build broader political and financial support for the TFFF going forward. Initially introduced by Brazil during COP28 in Dubai in 2023, the TFFF is expected to be formally launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.
“Protecting tropical forests is vital for climate resilience, water security, and global biodiversity. The TFFF offers a concrete and inclusive solution – rooted in the founding principles of the United Nations – to ensure that no country in the Global South is left behind in the transition to a sustainable future,” concluded Ambassador Danese.
