Frequently Asked Questions

The FSC General Assembly (GA) is the highest decision-making event of the Forest Stewardship Council. It brings together FSC’s international membership — including environmental, social, and economic stakeholders — to shape the future of responsible forest management. Held every three years, the GA is where members exercise their voting rights, engage in dialogue, and guide the strategic direction of the organization. It is also an opportunity to build connections, share knowledge, and strengthen the global FSC community. 

The GA is a hybrid event and will be held in Panama from 26-31 October 2025. 

During the General Assembly, members debate and vote on motions that influence FSC’s policies, standards, and priorities. The event includes formal plenary sessions, chamber meetings, thematic discussions called side meetings, and networking activities. Members collaborate across sectors and regions, exchange ideas, and address key issues in responsible forestry. The GA also features updates from FSC leadership, and spaces for innovation and learning — making it a pivotal moment for collective decision-making and collaboration.

The FSC General Assembly is a unique opportunity to be at the center of decision-making for the world’s leading forest certification system. Members attend to exercise their voting rights and directly shape FSC’s policies and strategic direction. But the GA is much more than voting — it brings together hundreds of leaders, decision-makers, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. 

Participants — including observers, guests, sponsors, and media — can engage with people who are co-creating solutions, transforming markets, and catalyzing change to ensure Forests For All Forever. Through side events, thematic forums, social activities, and networking sessions, participants collaborate, exchange ideas, and build lasting partnerships. The GA also offers inspiration through success stories, case studies, and innovative solutions addressing global forest and climate challenges. High-level keynote sessions and diverse discussions provide fresh perspectives and spark new ways forward for responsible forest management. 

The General Assembly is open to all FSC International members as well as a wide range of other participants, including observers, guests, media representatives, sponsors, FSC staff and network partners. All international members from FSC’s three chambers — social, environmental, and economic — are invited to attend and exercise their full decision-making rights. 

The GA brings together a diverse assembly of companies, environmental organizations, civil society groups, and individuals committed to responsible forest management. While only FSC members in good standing have voting rights, non-members are encouraged to join, participate in discussions, attend side events, and engage with the global FSC community. Whether you are a decision-maker, practitioner, advocate, or supporter, the General Assembly offers a valuable platform to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of forests worldwide.

The FSC General Assembly typically takes place every three years. The 10th General Assembly will take place from 26 to 31 October 2025.

The General Assembly 2025 will take place in Panama, at the Westin Playa Bonita Hotel in Panama City.

The General Assembly addresses a wide range of topics related to responsible forest management, sustainability, and the future of FSC. Key areas of discussion typically include updates to FSC’s standards and policies, innovations in certification, solutions to global climate and biodiversity challenges, and strategies to strengthen FSC’s impact in different regions and sectors. 

Through motions, plenary sessions, side events, and thematic discussions, participants explore issues such as indigenous rights, forest restoration, sustainable supply chains, market development, and the role of forests in achieving global goals like climate resilience and social equity. The GA is a space for open dialogue, bringing together diverse perspectives to tackle the urgent challenges facing forests and people around the world. 

The detailed agenda and full programme for the General Assembly will be available soon. Stay tuned for updates – the full programme will be posted here shortly!  

A hybrid event means the 2025 FSC General Assembly will take place both in-person and virtually. Participants can join the event either on-site (at the Westin Playa Bonita, Panama City, Panama) or online (through the GA website), attending live sessions, discussions, and side events. This format makes the GA accessible to a global audience, allowing everyone — no matter their location — to engage and contribute to the decision-making process. 

To become a sponsor for the 2025 FSC General Assembly, you can visit the Become a Sponsor page. There, you’ll find information on available sponsorship packages, benefits, and how to apply. Sponsoring the GA is a great way to showcase your commitment to responsible forest management and gain visibility among a global audience of industry leaders, decision-makers, and stakeholders. 

To see who has already joined us as a sponsor, visit Meet the Sponsors. 

The 9th FSC General Assembly, held in October 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, focused on the theme “Shaping Solutions for Resilient Forests.” Over 750 participants, including FSC members, Indigenous groups, companies, and environmental organizations, came together to discuss key motions, policy updates, and solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss, and forest degradation. 

Highlights included the adoption of key motions, high-level keynote sessions on forest-based climate solutions, and regional celebrations showcasing local forest stewardship initiatives. The GA was also a platform for reinforcing the role of forests in achieving global sustainability goals. 

For more detailed outcomes, you can read the full article here. 

Only FSC International members are eligible to apply for financial support. The application to seek financial support has now closed. 

To stay informed about all things related to the 2025 FSC General Assembly, subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on FSC’s official social media channels, and regularly check the Newsfeed section. We’ll be sharing key updates, deadlines, programme announcements, and other important information in the lead-up to the event.