In preparation for the 15th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) this 4 to 8 May 2020 in New York, different "Major Groups," comprised of different sectors of non-state participants, gathered at the United Nations at Nairobi (UNON) facilities in Kenya last 3 to 5 March to discuss and find a consolidated and joint message which all Major Groups can convey to member states.
The groups said that they want the UNFF to deliver on its commitments on intact forest landscapes and to foster greater cross-sectoral collaboration.
The Major Groups Youth and Children took the lead in organizing this event with the staff from the United Nations (UN).
The Major Groups Workers and Trade Unions was represented by Mark Asante Ofori, acting Secretary General of the Timber Workers' Union from Ghana and Coen van der Veer, BWI Global Director for Wood and Forestry.
Coen van der Veer expressed his appreciation to the MG Youth and Children for organzing the event.
"They are very adept with different social media tools. In fact, they have created this excellent video for everyone to see on why we engage the UN on the future of our forests and our work in those forests. For the BWI, the main interest for us remains the promotion of decent work and health and safety as many workplaces still fail to recognize these important labour rights."