The United States has expressed its opposition to a recent resolution aimed at promoting the UN Decade of Sustainable Forest Management. The statement, attributed to remarks by President Trump and Secretary Rubio, emphasizes the nation's commitment to environmental protection while also pointing out concerns with the resolution.
The U.S. delegation at the United Nations highlighted the principles set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals as inconsistent with American sovereignty and potentially harmful to U.S. interests. Consequently, the United States has chosen not to reaffirm the agenda.
Emphasizing the need to prioritize national interests, the U.S. delegation stated, "President Trump has been clear that the government of the United States must first and foremost refocus on the interests of Americans." The resolution's references to climate issues were deemed distractions from more pressing forest management challenges, and the document's recall of the Paris Agreement was noted, with the U.S. already having initiated its withdrawal following Executive Order 14162, "Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements."
The United States further expressed concern over the growing number of international commemorations, stressing that resources should be directed towards critical challenges instead of symbolic observances. It was noted that any costs arising from the resolution would be voluntary.
The country reaffirmed the importance of supportive regulatory environments for fostering innovation and development. The U.S. stated, "The United States understands that references to dissemination of technology and transfer of, or access to, technology are to voluntary technology transfer on mutually agreed terms," clarifying its stance on shared information and technology access within the context of the resolution.
The remarks closed by criticizing the resolution as part of a broader trend of unnecessarily lengthy documentation within international governance.