The 2025 FSC General Assembly opened on 26 October in Panama City, uniting members from around the world for joint decision-making on the future of forest stewardship. …Panama’s Minister of Environment, His Excellency Mr. Juan Carlos Navarro, announced the country’s plan to formalize FSC certification across Indigenous territories, a milestone in national environmental policy. 174,000 hectares are in process of being certified today in Panama. “Stop blaming the FSC,” he stated. “Each of us must in our own countries guarantee sustainable development and guarantee with our actions, our strength and our passion, the survival of life around us.” FSC Board Chair Stuart Valentine provided a business report from the Board, reflecting on FSC’s new leadership, governance and strategic priorities, and what is coming in the future – including a new Global Strategy, revision of FSC’s Principles and Criteria, incorporation of risk-based approaches, and increased demonstration of FSC’s impact.