Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the global annual deforestation rate during the 2015-2020 period based on the "State of the World’s Forests" (SOFO) report.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, the rate of forest loss has decreased compared to previous decades, but remains high.
• Between 2015 and 2020, an estimated 10 million hectares of forest were lost per year to deforestation.
• This represents a significant reduction from the 16 million hectares per year in the 1990s.
• Despite this, the total net forest loss remains a concern for global biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The rate of deforestation was estimated at 10 million hectares per year.