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Speech given recently (02 November 2021) by President von der Leyen at Leaders' Event: Action on Forests and Land Use.

Thank you very much Madam President,

Dear Dr Ngozi,

Dear President Nana Akufo-Addo,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for stressing the importance of working with producer countries, like for example Ghana. Indeed, protecting forests, sustainably managing them and caring for the land is our shared priority. Not only because these ecosystems are essential for the stability of our climate, but also because they continue to provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people right around the world.

And we know that in many forest communities around the world, tradition, culture, craftsmanship are very alive. Therefore, protecting forests is also about protecting our heritage. And we need to better listen to indigenous communities, to the producers, to the consumers and to the traders. Listen to each other; work with each other. And in this principle, we have since long been working in partnership with producing countries to reduce pressure on forests.

We redirect finances in support of more sustainable land use now. And we have made forest protection an integral part of our relations with trading partners. Let me give you some examples: We have the Green Alliance with Japan. We have an Environment and Climate Dialogue with China. But we also know how important it is to play our part at home. We have to reduce the EU's consumption footprint on land and forests around the world.

European voters and consumers are making this increasingly clear to us: They no longer want to buy products that are responsible for deforestation or forest degradation. This is why we will soon propose a regulation to tackle EU-driven global deforestation. Commodities and products placed on our market should not lead to deforestation. But we will do that with a principle to working in close partnership with the producing countries. This is so important. As I have said: Listen to each other, work with each other. To stop deforestation, working in partnership is essential.

It is in that context that I am pleased to announce that the Commission will provide EUR 1 billion to the Global Forest Pledge. And we are very happy that EUR 250 million of these will be specifically for the Congo Basin Pledge, so important, too. And of course, I am very pleased to sign up to the Declaration for the EU, along with a joint statement on a roadmap for action on forests, agriculture and commodity trade.

Europe is delighted to be part of this ambitious movement to protect our climate, to protect our heritage and to protect our forests.

Thank you for your attention.

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