Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the TFFF Global South Engagement Meeting on the margins of the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-20) Organized by the Government of Brazil | Supported by UNDP - May 6th, 2025

Dear Collegues,

I would like to welcome you to this Global South Engagement Meeting on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, convened on the margins of the 20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests here in New York.

I must say how inspiring it is to see such a diverse group of developing countries come together - with creativity and determination - to devise innovative solutions for environmental challenges. At a moment when multilateralism and international cooperation are called into question, initiatives like the TFFF stand as a powerful testament to their vitality and strength.

Since President Lula took office, Brazil has hosted the Amazon Summit, the G20 and BRICS meetings, and now prepares to launch the TFFF at COP 30 in Belém later this year. Through each of these initiatives, our message has been consistent: tropical forests are the very foundation of climate resilience and sustainable development.

Brazil has developed deep expertise in environmental finance. We know the tools for addressing deforestation, like REDD+, and see the potential for using carbon markets to support restoration. But these address forest flows, not the forest stock itself.

That is the premise of the TFFF. Tropical forests deliver indispensable ecosystem services, such as regulating water flows, sequestering carbon, and hosting unparalleled biodiversity. Yet they remain grossly undervalued in today’s markets. The TFFF corrects this market failure by treating standing forests as enduring natural assets, whose preservation yields real financial returns, aligning market incentives with conservation imperatives.

The TFFF represents a transformative opportunity not only for Tropical Forest Countries but for many other nations across the Global South. By broadening participation, we harness a richer tapestry of experiences and best practices.

High‑level political support from Global South countries will be decisive for its success. Technical expertise alone will not suffice; we need political will. High‑level endorsements, such as joint statements, coordinated messaging, and public commitments, will send a clear signal: the Global South stands united in defence of its forests and its future.

The ongoing 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests provides a concrete opportunity to align our messages and bolster political momentum for the TFFF.

Let us seize its multilateral structure to align our messages, forge joint strategies, and galvanize collective momentum for the TFFF. Simultaneously, we must continue to promote the TFFF across other major forums - G20, BRICS, and beyond - to amplify our collective voice and attract diverse support.

Political backing, while vital, must be complemented by robust domestic engagement. Governments, civil society, and the private sector within each country must understand and champion the TFFF’s goals. This dual approach - global and local - will turn commitments into concrete conservation outcomes.

In this session, we invite your perspectives on:  strengthening political engagement across the Global South; fostering regional cooperation and peer learning; and mobilizing both international and domestic support for the TFFF. Your insights will be instrumental as we refine our engagement strategy en route to Belém.

At a moment when multilateralism faces skepticism, let the TFFF stand as a living example of what we can achieve when we unite in common purpose. For eighty years, the United Nations has shown us that only through solidarity, shared ambition, and steadfast cooperation can we confront threats that transcend borders.

Thank you and have nice and productive meeting.