Source: UN News: Wednesday, 12 November 2025 00:01 AM
Tropical forests have an important contribution in efforts to combat climate change, but they are decreasing at an alarming rate. With the aim of reversing this trend and preserving forests, Brazil, the host country of the UN Climate Conference (COP30), has introduced a new initiative. During the summit meeting of world leaders in the Brazilian city of Belém on Thursday, an announcement was made for a fund called ‘Tropical Forests Forever Facility’, which is aimed at maintaining tropical forests forever. Under this fund, incentives will be given to countries making effective efforts to stop deforestation. That means instead of deforestation, there will be benefit in conservation of the area covered by them. Through this fund, an amount of four billion dollars can be delivered to 74 countries every year. An amount of $4 per hectare will be allocated every year to the countries doing forest conservation, and their performance will be monitored through satellite. 74 countries have been identified for this, where there is a total of 1 billion hectares of tropical and sub-tropical forests. Priority areas include the Amazon, the Atlantic, the Congo Basin, the Mekong region, and other forest areas, including the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Support for local communities In September 2025, during a high-level session of the UN General Assembly, Brazilian President Lula da Silva announced an initial investment of $1 billion in the fund. COP30 Executive Director Anna Toni told UN News that the total payment for each country would be Out of which, 20 percent will be given directly to the local communities there. It will take into account indigenous peoples and those engaged in forest conservation efforts in their communities. “It reflects the determination of the Brazilian government not only to preserve forests but also to pay respect to the people who protect them, especially indigenous peoples.” © UNU-EHS/Molly Ferrill A fisherman in a forest in Thailand. Creation of an international coalition Efforts towards this fund for forest conservation began in 2023, during the COP28 conference in Dubai, and it has been officially launched just before COP30. So far, the following five countries with tropical forest cover have become part of it: Colombia, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, Malaysia. Countries that are likely to invest in this fund include Germany, United Arab Emirates, There are other countries including France, Norway, Britain. This will be a mixed arrangement under which the profits will be shared with investors and forest countries. In the next few years, the governments of these countries are likely to invest up to 25 billion dollars, while the private sector can contribute up to 100 billion dollars. Brazil estimates that an amount of $ 4 billion will be received from this fund every year. However, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) cautions that annual investment in forest conservation, from $84 billion in 2023, needs to increase to $300 billion by 2030 and $498 billion by 2050. Why this is important Financial incentives for forest conservation are expected to help in the global fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. This initiative is seen as a step towards equitable, inclusive financial resources This will support the communities engaged in forest conservation with their own hands, dedication and heritage. The COP30 climate conference is starting on 10th November and will conclude on 21st November. In this meeting, world leaders, negotiators, climate experts and other stakeholders will gather so that climate action and solutions can be accelerated. This year the conference will have a special focus on tropical forests, financing and nature-based solutions.