ASIATODAY.ID, BALI — The world’s forests are shrinking at a slower pace, but the threat to their survival is far from over.
According to the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 (FRA 2025) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global rate of deforestation has declined over the past decade, signaling progress—yet significant challenges remain.
The five-yearly assessment was launched during the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI) Plenary held in Bali, Indonesia, October 21, 2025, providing the most comprehensive and transparent picture of global forest resources to date.
FAO data reveal that forests still cover 4.14 billion hectares, roughly one-third of the planet’s land area. More than half of these forests are now under long-term management plans, and around 20 percent are legally designated as protected areas.
However, despite the positive trends, the planet continues to lose 10.9 million hectares of forest every year—an area roughly the size of Iceland—highlighting that deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time.
Forests: The Planet’s Lifeline
Forests are essential to food security, livelihoods, renewable energy, and biodiversity. They act as a carbon sink, regulate the global water cycle, and serve as natural defenses against droughts, soil erosion, landslides, and floods.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized in the report’s foreword:
“FRA is the most comprehensive and transparent global evaluation of forest resources—their conditions, management, and uses. The data not only inform the world about the state and trends of forests but also guide decisions, policies, and investments supporting sustainable forest management and ecosystem services.”
Key Findings of the FRA 2025 Report
Global forest area: 4.14 billion hectares (32% of global land area), nearly half of which lies in tropical regions.
Net forest loss slowing: Annual net forest loss dropped from 10.7 million hectares in the 1990s to 4.12 million hectares per year during 2015–2025.
Deforestation vs. forest expansion: Deforestation declined from 17.6 million hectares (1990–2000) to 10.9 million hectares per year (2015–2025), while forest expansion also slowed.
Naturally regenerating forests: Account for 92% (3.83 billion hectares) of total forest area, though they have declined by 324 million hectares since 1990.
Primary forests: Cover 1.18 billion hectares—about one-third of total forests. The loss rate has halved compared to the early 2000s.
Planted forests: Represent 8% (312 million hectares) of total forest area, continuing to expand, though at a slower pace globally.
Forest carbon stock: Reached 714 gigatons, confirming forests’ key role in carbon sequestration.
Protected forests: Cover 813 million hectares, an increase of 251 million hectares since 1990.
Forest management: 55% of the world’s forests (2.13 billion hectares) are now managed under formal plans.
Disturbances: Fires affect about 261 million hectares annually, nearly half of which are forested areas. In 2020, pests, diseases, and extreme weather damaged 41 million hectares.
Ownership: 71% of forests are publicly owned, 24% privately owned, and the remainder under other or unknown ownership.
A Global Collaboration to Protect the World’s Forests
The FRA 2025 is a product of an unprecedented global collaboration involving 236 countries and territories, with official correspondents from 197 nations and contributions from over 700 experts worldwide.
The assessment supports international environmental commitments, including:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change
The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030
FAO hopes the findings will drive stronger global actions toward sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. (AT Network)
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