What is the role of Committee on Forestry (COFO)?

• The 28th Session of Committee on Forestry (COFO) commenced at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy on September 28.

• It brings forestry policymakers and experts from over 100 Members of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) together to drive forward the global agenda on forests. 

• It meets every two years at FAO’s Rome headquarters. 

• This year, discussions and events will focus on the theme “Forests for food, resilience and prosperity”.

• Now marking its tenth anniversary, the World Forest Week is organised in conjunction with COFO sessions to provide participants and partner organisations with a unique opportunity to exchange, connect, showcase best practice and contribute to global debate. 

What is COFO?

• The Committee on Forestry (COFO) was established in 1971 and is open to all countries that are members of FAO. 

• It is FAO’s highest global intergovernmental body on forestry.

• It guides the Organisation’s work and fostering international collaboration, policy dialogue and technical guidance on forest-related issues. 

• Its sessions identify emerging challenges, promote innovative approaches and provide strategic direction for FAO’s forestry programme. 

• As a FAO technical committee, COFO reports to the FAO Council on matters related to programmes and budgets, and to the FAO Conference on policy and regulatory issues. 

• Its work is informed by six Regional Forestry Commissions, which review regional forestry priorities and inform global policy discussions.

• At the first session of each biennium, COFO elects a chairperson from among its Members. 

• The chairperson, together with the six chairpersons of the Regional Forestry Commissions, form the Steering Committee. The six Regional Forestry Commission chairpersons also serve as vice-chairpersons of COFO.

• India is a member of the COFO.