About
Uniting Countries for Forests, People and Sustainable Futures
The Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue brings together producer and consumer countries to advance sustainable trade while protecting forests, ecosystems and livelihoods.
Launched at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in 2021 under the leadership of the United Kingdom, FACT is a government-to-government dialogue that emerged alongside a Roadmap of Action to guide coordinated efforts on forests, agriculture and commodity trade. The Dialogue was initially co-chaired by the Government of Indonesia, with the co-chair position rotating to the Government of Malaysia in 2025.
FACT forms part of a broader international effort to address climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development through coordinated action across trade and supply chains.
28
countries participate in the FACT Dialogue, bringing producer and consumer governments together for sustainable trade, forest protection and livelihoods.
75%
of global trade in key agricultural and forest-risk commodities – including cattle, cocoa, soy, palm oil and timber – is represented by FACT member countries.
23
countries endorsed the FACT joint statement at its launch during COP26.
Why FACT Matters
Forests and other ecosystems continue to face significant pressure from agricultural expansion and global demand for commodities such as beef, cocoa, palm oil, soy and timber. At the same time, millions of people – particularly smallholder farmers – depend on these supply chains for their livelihoods.
Photo by CIFOR-ICRAF
While global commitments such as the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use and the Sustainable Development Goals set ambitious targets, translating these commitments into effective, coordinated action remains a challenge. Differences in policies, regulations, market requirements and national circumstances can make alignment difficult.
FACT exists to provide a trusted space where governments can address these challenges together through dialogue, shared learning and cooperation, recognizing that sustainable trade outcomes cannot be achieved by producer or consumer countries acting alone.
What We Do
- Align trade, sustainability and development objectives;
- Share policy experiences and market approaches;
- Strengthen cooperation across supply chains;
- Support progress towards climate, biodiversity and development goals.
FACT enables participating countries to exchange experiences, build shared understanding, and explore coordinated approaches to sustainable commodity production and trade.
FACT complements existing national policies and initiatives by fostering collaboration, trust and practical problem-solving across countries and regions.
FACT’s Thematic Areas
FACT’s work is organized around four key thematic areas that reflect shared priorities across participating countries:
Trade and Market Development
Exploring cooperative approaches to trade and market mechanisms that support sustainable commodities and reduce pressure on forests and ecosystems.
Smallholder Support
Sharing experiences and identifying approaches to better support smallholder farmers, recognizing their central role in global commodity supply chains and sustainable production.
Traceability and Transparency
Strengthening systems and approaches that improve supply chain visibility, transparency, and accountability.
Research, Development and Innovation
Research, development and innovation are cross-cutting issues across all FACT thematic areas, underpinning evidence-based dialogue, policy learning, and practical action.
Countries who participate in FACT
Co-Chairs of the FACT Dialogue
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.
Sustainable trade is central to balancing climate, forests and livelihoods.
The FACT Dialogue is led by government co-chairs, reflecting its nature as a collaborative, government-to-government initiative. The Co-Chairs provide strategic direction, convene participating countries, and guide priorities in line with the FACT Roadmap for Action.
Who Is Involved
The FACT Dialogue brings together major producer and consumer countries of global agricultural commodities. Additionally, stakeholder involvement in the FACT Dialogue has continued since FACT’s launch in 2021, with a Stakeholder Engagement Plan in development to ensure the integration of stakeholders from the local to the global level. This consultation process aims to ensure the inclusion and participation of all relevant stakeholders so they may make a valuable contribution to implementing the FACT Roadmap for Action.
Explore FACT Dialogue
To learn more about FACT’s work and progress:
- Explore FACT’s thematic areas
- Read progress reports and publications
- Discover case studies and insights
- Subscribe to receive updates and announcements
The FACT Dialogue secretariat is hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF
Location:
Bogor, Indonesia.