What if youth led the way? Redefining action for land, culture, and people

From restoring landscapes to preserving heritage and influencing policy, young experts and practitioners around the world are already bridging the worlds of science, traditional knowledge, policy, and practice to drive change in their landscapes and communities. From restoring degraded lands to leading innovative policy campaigns, and from preserving cultural heritage to sparking community-driven solutions, these youth are redefining the boundaries of what’s possible for transformative action. This session will also provide a platform for dialogue, inviting participants to connect, collaborate, and reimagine the role of youth in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.

Join us on 9 December at 12:00 local time (UTC+3) in the Science Pavilion at the UNCCD COP16.

Array ( [0] => Asia/Riyadh )

A Tapestry of Policy: Can Civil Society Unite the Rio Conventions?

The 3rd and last stop of this interactive workshop is in Saudi Arabia. The previous two were held during GLF Africa 2024 (Nairobi, September) and CBD COP16 (Cali, October). The outcomes of the three workshops, as well as learnings from a partner-led session at UNFCCC COP29 (Baku, November) will be consolidated into a short report to publish a small knowledge product and inform strategic decisions about the youth-policy interface work of GLF and YIL on the road to UNFCCC COP30 (Belem, 2025).

Join us on 10 December at 10:00 local time (UTC+3) in the Children & Youth Resilience Hub Pavilion at the UNCCD COP16.

Array ( [0] => Asia/Riyadh )

2025 Social Media Ambassadors Program

The GLF Social Media Ambassadors program unites diverse voices to shape the narrative on sustainable landscapes by creating impactful content and engaging global audiences. With training and connections to leading organizations, these young volunteers receive the skills and mentorship to use their voices for a more sustainable future.

Array ( [0] => Africa/Abidjan )

The New Vision for Earth Film Festival

GLF Event

Presented by the Global Landscapes Forum in collaboration with

The New Vision for Earth Film Festival unites art, science and traditional knowledge in captivating, thought-provoking films on biodiversity, climate and land rights, highlighting landscape solutions from the Global South and Indigenous peoples. 

Array ( [0] => Asia/Baku )

How are young visionaries rewriting the future of Africa’s landscapes?

During this event, we heard insights from landscape leaders and local innovators across Africa, showcasing successful restoration stories, pressing challenges, and bold opportunities for transformative change from recent regional consultations. 

Report launch: Rooted in restoration: Youth-led transformative change for regreening Africa
The event marked the launch of the report “Rooted in restoration: Youth-led transformative change for regreening Africa“, which highlights shared experiences, challenges, and solutions suggested by several dozen young landscape practitioners and experts across Africa who participated in a series of consultations centered on the restoration of African ecosystems.

Produced in partnership with Regreening Africa, UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, FAO, European Union Commission, CIFOR-ICRAF and the Global Landscapes Forum, and co-written by several experts in the field, this report covers gaps and solutions across policy, finance, capacity building, and communication to show how landscape restoration can be scaled for long-term impact on people and the planet.

Check out the report here.

 

 

Organized by:

 

 

Array ( [0] => Asia/Riyadh )

2025 Landscape Leadership Camp

2025 GLF Landscape Leadership Camp in Asia

Application deadline: 15 January 2025

WHEN

April 2025

WHERE

Bogor, Indonesia

SOCIAL

#ThinkLandscape

Are you a young student, professional, expert or visionary from Asia interested in nurturing positive change in Asia’s communities, landscapes and seascapes?

Look no further! For the first time, the GLF Landscape Leadership Camp is taking place in Asia.

Apply now for a spot at the 2025 GLF Landscape Leadership Camp, and embark on a journey towards landscape leadership with other young visionaries from across Asia. Co-designed by the Global Landscapes Forum and the Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL), the camp will take place over three days in Bogor, Indonesia in April 2025.

This immersive experience will bring together like-minded students, young professionals, experts and practitioners from across Asia, creating a vibrant, cross-cultural community dedicated to driving impactful and transformative change for people and landscapes.

Application deadline: 15 January 2025

COLLABORATION PARTNERS

Array ( [0] => Africa/Abidjan )

Rewarding Nature: Towards a Roadmap to Finance the Global Biodiversity Framework

This side event at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, unveiled a dynamic roadmap to finance the Global Biodiversity Framework crafted through expert insights and diverse voices.

As a sequel to the 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium, the event featured a lively panel of policymakers, investors, innovators, and community leaders, to tackle challenges, identify innovative solutions and share successes in mobilizing biodiversity finance – and bridge bold financial strategies with practical action on the ground.

 

Array ( [0] => America/Bogota )

Media Seminar

GLOBAL MEDIA SEMINAR

Alongside the 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium and Biodiversity COP16
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS: MEDIA COVERAGE INSIDE THE STORM

Hosted by:

Amid global crises, the sixth mass extinction is accelerating and threatening food security, ecosystems, and worsening the climate crisis. How can journalists and content creators cut through the noise to report on these issues?

 

In the lead up to the 2024 biodiversity, climate and desertification COPs, journalists, scientists and changemakers explored critical topics, key sources and tools to cover these topics effectively. The discussions provided insights into the complexities of financing nature to meet biodiversity goals and prepared participants to maximize the potential of the 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium,  held alongside the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16).

Watch the seminar recordings below

AGENDA

DAY 1

16 October 2024, 13:00–15:00 (UTC-5)

13:00–13:10

Why a roadmap to finance the Biodiversity Framework?

Opening remarks by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)

Speaker and moderator:

Sneak peek at the 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium – Rewarding Nature: A Roadmap to Finance the Biodiversity Plan. 

13:10–13:50

Sounds of the ocean and the forest: Combining environmental journalism and investigative tools

Panel and Q&A by Pulitzer Center

Speakers and moderator:

Two Pulitzer Center-supported journalists specializing in ocean and rainforest issues shared their knowledge of tools, resources, methods and best practices. Drawing on their investigative experience, they focused on reporting about investments to reduce emissions and protect biodiversity. 

13:50–14:30

Covering elections through an intersectional climate lens: The case of Brazil

Editors panel discussion and Q&A by Agência Pública 

Speakers:

Bruno and Giovanna, editors at the investigative newsroom Agência Pública, shared insights from covering municipal elections with a climate lens. They discussed how Agência Pública’s information tool helps track candidates’ stances on climate issues and explain how they select stories to ensure that their coverage resonates with Brazilian audiences. In the lead-up to next year’s Climate COP30 in Brazil, they demonstrated how climate investigative reporting can reveal connections between community preparedness for extreme events, legislation, politicians’ land use practices, threats to Indigenous and Quilombola communities, deforestation, corporate interests, and more. 

14:30–15:00

Fireside chat with scientists: Synergies of the Rio Conventions

Conversation and Q&A by CIFOR-ICRAF and the Restoration Stewards program 

Speakers and moderator:

The world is grappling with urgent, interconnected climate, biodiversity, and desertification challenges. How do the Rio Conventions address these issues? What are the key implementations shaping current actions? What financial mechanisms support these frameworks’ goals? Join leading experts for insights on the science behind synergistic solutions under the Conventions. 

Participants had the opportunity to submit questions in advance and vote for those they found most interesting.

DAY 2

17 October 2024, 13:00–15:00 (UTC-5)

13:00–13:40

A decalogue for impact: Journalism in the Amazon Region

Conversation and Q&A by DW Akademie 

Speakers and moderator:

Drawing from the DW Akademie project ‘Journalism and Amazon region protection, panelists shared ideas on how to maximize the impact of journalistic stories while reinforcing connections between the media and local environmental, Indigenous and social organizations. This guided conversation outlined a decalogue of recommendations on impact and harm-free action and safety. DW Akademie also shared a quality criteria guide for journalism on human rights and the environment, in Spanish: Criterios de calidad periodística. Guía para el periodismo colaborativo e intercultural sobre derechos humanos y medio ambiente

13:40–14:20

Storytelling in the digital age: Leveraging social media for impactful COP coverage

Interactive discussion by Earthrise Studio

Speakers:

  • Business and Climate Reporter, and "Planet A" Lead
    Deutsche Welle (DW)
  • Head of Editorial and Executive Producer
    Earthrise Studio

Hosted by the Joi Lee, head of editorial of Earthrise Studio, a climate storytelling platform that harnesses social media, this session equiped participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively use social media for impactful coverage of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16). Attendees learned practical strategies for crafting compelling climate stories, engaging audiences and amplifying important narratives in the digital space. 

14:20–14:50

Fireside chat with experts: Financing biodiversity and climate

Conversation and Q&A by FOLUR and Luxembourg Forestry and Climate Change Fund

Speakers and moderator:

Finance must be harnessed to foster a sustainable future through innovative solutions that involve all sectors and prioritize local action. What role does finance play in tackling the environmental crisis? Which financial mechanisms can best support cross-sector cooperation? How can funds reach those that need it the most? Ahead of the 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium, experts to discussed the financial tools and pathways needed to break away from business-as-usual. 

Participants had the opportunity to submit questions in advance and vote for those they found most interesting.

14:50–15:00

Closing remarks and opportunities

Speakers:

Stay tuned for our media seminars in 2025! 

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Quintero at k.quintero@cifor-icraf.org.

 

Array ( [0] => Africa/Nairobi )

OFAC Hybrid Forum: What is the State of Central African Forests?

The forests of Central Africa are vital, but how do we protect them?

On 20 June 2024, over 700 participants from 77 countries, including experts, practitioners and policymakers gathered to discuss the challenges faced by the Congo Basin and how to address them using the latest data-driven strategies.


Here’s what we learned from OFAC Hybrid Forum, showing why it’s so vital that we protect and restore forests.

Meet the speakers

Explore the event themes

Solutions and latest knowledge

Solutions and latest knowledge

Discover solutions and the latest knowledge shared by experts and practitioners working in forest information management in Central Africa.

Engaging policymakers

Engaging policymakers

Explore the critical role of research in advancing sustainable development and facilitating ecological transitions, emphasizing the importance of data collection, processing and validation in forest and environmental contexts.

Technology

Technology

Reflect on the evolution of technology and its implications for data generation and dissemination in forest and environmental contexts, and consider future opportunities to ensure that emerging technologies are leveraged to enhance data collection, processing and dissemination.

Partnerships

Partnerships

Build partnerships and identify collaboration opportunities with key stakeholders to highlight the significance of Congo Basin forests, emphasizing their crucial role in climate regulation and their impact on the livelihoods of dependent populations.

REGISTRATION

Register now to stay up to date

Join OFAC Hybrid Forum in Bonn, Germany

Join us in person in Bonn at the GLF Secretariat, located in the beautiful Rheinaue Leisure Park right next to the Bonn Climate Change Conference venue.

COLLABORATION PARTNERS

Contacts

Any questions? Get in touch

Judith Sonneck

GLF Global Conferences and Events Outreach Coordinator

j.sonneckcifor-icraf[dot]org

Journalists

Are you working on a story about the Central African rainforests or looking for fresh ideas? Reach out to Kelly Quintero at k.quintero@cifor-icraf.org to explore story angles, connect with experts in the science, practices, and policies of the world’s second-largest forests, or join the event online from anywhere in the globe or in person if you are in Bonn, Germany.

Array ( [0] => Europe/Rome )