The benefits of urban and peri-urban forests are now widely acknowledged. Far beyond their aesthetic value, these green spaces form an essential part of urban infrastructure. One that must be both sustainable and resilient. Urban forests contribute to climate action, public health, food security, biodiversity, sustainable tourism, land restoration, and disaster risk reduction, among many others.
Despite their importance, only a limited number of States currently have national policies or budgets specifically dedicated to urban forestry. In most cases, the responsibility falls to Local and Regional Governments (LRGs). This was illustrated during a site visit to the Miyawaki Forest at Parc Rigot in Geneva, co-organized by the Global Cities Hub (GCH) and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The visit highlighted the need to bridge international policy frameworks with local action—a core mission of the Global Cities Hub.
Reflecting this commitment, the GCH took part in an event with the Mayor of Skopje and a representative of the Canton of Geneva, alongside State representatives from Croatia and Ireland, during the 83rd session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI), held on 5 November. Two years after the adoption of the San Marino Regional Urban Forestry Action Plan, which offers guidance to national and local authorities striving for greener urban spaces, much work remains to be done. Participants at COFFI identified persistent challenges: the absence of dedicated legislation, limited funding, fragmented responsibilities across government levels, insufficient data, and a lack of long-term management capacity. However, speakers emphasized their continued efforts to advance the agenda, recognizing the wide range of benefits urban forests bring to city residents.
Urban forestry is not solely a national or local issue. It is a shared responsibility that requires coordination across all levels of government and sectors. As climate change intensifies, the need for cohesive action has become more urgent. Discussions such as those held at COFFI are crucial to strengthen collaboration between States, cities and regions, and to encourage the adoption of comprehensive urban forestry strategies and action plans.