Agenda

Bonn now:

UTC+3 (Nairobi, Kenya)

Agenda

08:00-09:00
Inspiration Hub

Join us on a private tour of the beautiful Karura Forest, located right next to the conference venue! The tour will start at the GLF Pavilion.

There are limited spots available, so all guests are required to pre-register.

Main Gate

The registration desk is located in the Main Gate.
To register, please bring your registration confirmation letter/ticket with you (printed or on your mobile device) along with your passport or local ID to show the registration staff at the desk.
There is also coffee and tea available.

If you have any questions about the conference or the venue during the day, please feel free to ask at the registration desk.

09:00-09:45
Conference Hall

This session will give the floor to people from across the Sahel to present local, sovereign solutions that have advanced the vision of the Great Green Wall: thriving rural communities in restored, healthy landscapes between Senegal and Djibouti. These include local tree-based value enterprises, farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) and grazing systems. A discussion on how these local solutions can be scaled and how the Great Green Wall can drive a change will follow.

Karura Hall

African ecosystems offer a wide range of essential services, including timber, meat, water and medicines, and play a key role in global systems, including biodiversity and climate regulation. Scientific knowledge is key to maintaining all these systems. However, many African countries lack this knowledge or the capacity to sustainably manage ecosystem resources.

A number of regional observatories and regional coordination bodies have been created to support research and generate knowledge to support decision making. This session, hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF, will bring together observatory experts with the heads of regional institutions and other stakeholders to discuss the role of regional observatories in sustainably managing the continent’s ecosystems

Useful links:

09:00-10:00
GLF Pavilion

The power of meaningful connections cannot be overstated. It is through collaboration, shared insights, and mentorship that leaders are nurtured, ideas are sparked and innovation thrives.

This networking session aims to serve as a catalyst for these transformative experiences, bringing together a diverse group of individuals who can contribute their unique perspectives and knowledge to the collective learning journey.

It is also designed to offer a platform for GLFx chapter representatives and Restoration Stewards to connect with each other and experts and leaders from the CIFOR-ICRAF network, creating a network of resources and support that extends beyond the event itself. The event will provide them with invaluable learning experiences and offer a chance for mentors and mentees to connect.

GLFx and Restoration Stewards Programs are sponsored by:

10:00-10:15
Digital

Join us in celebrating a decade of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), a journey marked by impactful dialogues and transformative visions from speakers worldwide. Over the years, thousands of voices have converged, each contributing to the collective mission of co-creating the landscape approach. Today, we honor some of our finest speakers, whose inspiring words continue to resonate and guide our path towards a better future. Tune in to be inspired by their insights and passion for positive change.

Conference Hall

Please join us for a unique opening ceremony to kick off the conference. We will start with drumming and singing to bring lightness and presence to the conversations that will unfold over the next two days.

10:15-11:15
Conference Hall

Join us for an engaging plenary session that delves into the transformative power of African-led solutions in the realm of food systems and landscape restoration.
We will explore how innovative approaches from diverse African perspectives are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration and community resilience in response to the climate crisis.
Discover inspiring success stories, learn about cutting-edge strategies, and discuss collaborations with local communities to promote biodiversity conservation and enhance ecosystem services. Be part of this dynamic conversation as we uncover the pivotal role Africa plays in driving positive change for both people and the planet.

10:30-12:30
G20 Global Land Initiative / UNCCD Pavilion

In this session, four youth ecopreneurs, including three from Africa, will discuss the business case for land restoration and how to develop successful enterprises. They will also showcase their innovative projects.

Click here to learn more.

11:15-11:45
Digital

GLF Nairobi offers a unique opportunity to meet and connect with people from all over the world working towards a sustainable future. During this networking session, you will be randomly matched with other participants and have the chance to chat for a few minutes. After that, the platform will automatically assign you another participant so you can start another interesting conversation. Always make sure to briefly introduce yourself and start by explaining why you’re interested in the conference themes and how they relate to your work.

11:15-13:00
GLF Pavilion

Youth, local communities and Indigenous Peoples around the world are already leading the change they want to see, facing challenges and crafting solutions to restore their landscapes while ensuring justice and inclusion. But grassroots transformations require policy interventions to consolidate and scale up change.

How do we get there? In this session, policy experts and advocates from the GLF, Youth in Landscapes Initiative, GLFx chapters and partners will bring their expertise and local wisdom to outline ways and strategies to propel restoration initiatives toward policy-making arenas. Pre-registration is required. Please register here by 9 October.

GLFx and Restoration Stewards Programs are sponsored by:

11:45-12:30
Conference Hall

This session will look at how to rise to the challenge of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products: to “avoid that the listed products Europeans buy, use and consume contribute to deforestation and forest degradation in the EU and globally”.

It will also explore how to put smallholder farmers, including women and Indigenous Peoples, at the center of this transition. The panel will examine key actions that must be taken to comply with the new regulations, potential challenges and stumbling blocks that may be specific to Africa’s context, and mechanisms or levers to engage with smallholder farmers.

  • Gillian Kabwe

    Associate Professor, School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University

  • Peter Minang

    Director for Africa & Global Coordinator , CIFOR-ICRAF

  • Nancy Rapando

    WWF Africa’s Food Future Leader, WWF

  • Traore Bakary

    Executive Director, Initiatives for Community Development and Forest Conservation

Karura Hall

In a call for urgent action to better prepare the world to fight the effects of a rapidly changing climate, this session will demonstrate the importance of seed banks in conserving diversity and ensuring the availability of seeds to scientists and farmers around the world.

Useful links:

  • Éliane Ubalijoro

    Chief Executive Officer, CIFOR-ICRAF

  • Åsmund Asdal

    Coordinator of Operation and Management, Svalbard Global Seed Vault

  • Sunday Aladele

    Research Director, Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization at National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, Nigeria

  • Chrispus O.A. Oduori

    Chief Research Scientist, KALRO

  • Ramni Jamnadass

    Principal Scientist and Leader, CIFOR-ICRAF

  • Stephan Schmitz

    Executive Director, Global Crop Diversity Trust

12:30-12:35
Digital

Get inspired by the vision of Musonda Mumba, secretary general of the Convention on Wetlands.

Born in Zambia, Dr. Mumba is an environmentalist with 25+ years of global expertise in environmental management and sustainable development. Formerly with the UN Development Programme and UN Environment Programme, she is a recognized leader and founder of the Network of African Women Environmentalists (NAWE). Dr. Mumba holds a PhD in Wetland Hydrology and Conservation from University College London (UCL) and is recognized globally for her influential work in conservation.

12:30-13:30
Sessions
Lunch LIVE NOW
Lunch Area
12:35-12:40
Digital

Get inspired by the vision of Ernesto Paredes, founder and director of Tacuzcalco Foundation in El Salvador.

Since the age of 16, Ernesto has been passionately engaging local rural and urban communities in environmental and restoration initiatives. As the coordinator of GLFx Plan de Amayo, he combines his roles with a dedicated commitment to social and climate justice in the region. With a master’s degree in sustainable local development from the University of El Salvador, Ernesto brings extensive experience in knowledge management, community engagement, and social sciences. Join us in exploring his transformative journey towards a sustainable future.

12:40-12:45
Digital

Adenike Sanusi is a seasoned agriculturist and researcher with a distinguished record in animal agriculture, climate change, project management, agroecology and sustainable development. She connects smallholder farmers and youths in rural communities with research-based solutions for increased production and improved livelihoods.

Adenike currently serves as the program and grant lead for Ripple Heights, a charity organization committed to eradicating extreme poverty in Africa. Her unwavering passion for the ecosystem is reflected in her role as a knowledge coordinator for GLFx Ibadan, where she promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration among professionals and stakeholders in landscape restoration.

12:45-13:00
Digital

This session will be hosted by the Guidance for a Landscape Approach in Displacement Setting (GLADS), an initiative to better understand and facilitate collaboration in refugee-hosting landscapes. It will focus on the landscape of Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

12:45-13:45
World Bank | Landscapes for a Livable Planet Pavilion
12:45-13:20
Karura Stage

You’re cordially invited to join this lunchtime dance and music performance by Bomas of Kenya and Nabalayo.

13:00-13:30
Digital

Join us on a journey around African landscapes to witness the on-the-ground field operations of our community of actors. From the Taniala Regenerative Camp in Madagascar to the hills of Bamunkumbit in Cameroon, we will look at how the GLF’s Restoration Stewards and Chapters are working to create sustainable landscapes throughout Africa.

13:30-15:00
Conference Hall

Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought. The continent’s drylands urgently need to be restored to help communities adapt to the climate crisis and build resilient and sustainable food systems.

Small-scale farmers, women, youth and Indigenous Peoples are the most vulnerable to the impacts of unsustainable land use practices. However, they can play a crucial role in restoring if granted secure land tenure rights.

This session will highlight the importance of tenure security to restoring landscapes, protecting biodiversity, and shielding livelihoods from the effects of the climate crisis.

Useful links:

  • Mary Mutemi

    Programs Manager, Green Africa Foundation

  • Audace Kubwimana

    Africa Regional Coordinator, ILC

  • Isaac Tobiko

    Executive Chair, Community Land Action Now (CLAN)

  • Leigh Ann Winowiecki

    Global Research Leader of Soil and Land Health at CIFOR-ICRAF and Co-lead of the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health, World Agroforestry (ICRAF)

Karura Hall

Agroecology is increasingly recognized as a path towards sustainable food systems. However, many countries still lack coherent national policy frameworks to adopt it. This session will examine how national agroecological strategies (NAS) can build more sustainable food systems through interventions around production practices, natural resource use and governance, markets, consumption patterns, and research agendas. The session will also showcase the experiences of policymakers from across Africa on the processes undertaken to develop NAS, while nurturing an open discussion among participants on agroecological policy interventions.

Useful links:

Policy briefs:

Agroecology dialogue series by FAO:

  1. The interface between agroecological and territorial approaches for food systems transformations
  2. Beyond the farm: Exploring the synergies between agroecology and conservation communities
  3. Agroecology as a response to agri-input scarcity
GLF Pavilion

This session will bring together a range of IKI-funded and other relevant local and regional projects to identify and spotlight a range of restoration experiences and lessons and chart a collaborative future. This session will be held in support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
This workshop is by invitation only.

For more information, please reach out to Claire Nasike at c.nasike@cifor-icraf.org.

15:00-15:15
Digital

It’s finally time to announce the winners of our highly anticipated African Youth Storytelling Contest. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of imagination as we celebrate the power of storytelling and honor the talented young Africans who have captured our hearts and minds.

In this session, we will unveil the top three winners of the contest. Discover these captivating, emotive and creative narratives that will transport you to a different realm.

15:00-17:30
G20 Global Land Initiative / UNCCD Pavilion

The workshop, co-organized with the GLF, will bring together representatives of youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks, youth advocates and other youth stakeholders to engage and exchange ideas with each other. The workshop aims to produce actionable recommendations and strategies to promote land restoration and terrestrial habitat conservation. Pre-register for the workshop here.

15:15-15:20
Digital

Embark on a transformative journey with Afua Hirsch as she shares her powerful vision for Earth and offers a glimpse into her upcoming book Decolonising My Body, challenging narratives and fostering change for a more inclusive and enlightened world.

Afua Hirsch is an award-winning writer, journalist, former barrister and filmmaker, known for storytelling on culture, identity and social justice. She presents the flagship BBC documentary series Africa Rising; Enslaved, a 6-part series about the transatlantic slave trade with Samuel L Jackson; and podcasts through Born in Me Productions, the production company she founded.

15:25-15:30
Digital

Join us on an inspiring journey with Samara Polwatta, the 2023 Oceans Restoration Steward, as she shares her vision for Earth.

Samara Polwatta is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia under the Institute of Fisheries and Oceans. She hopes to conduct her research in Sri Lanka looking at the impacts of bottom trawling and fisheries management.

Samara and her team were recently awarded the title of best nature-based solution by the Wageningen University Student Challenge for their project “School meets the reef.” They engaged in rehabilitation of the coral reef on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka using reef balls and under water nursery. Along with restoration, she also conducted several school programs for secondary school children on the importance of coastal ecosystems and restoration practices.

15:30-16:15
Conference Hall

This session will discuss how smallholder farmers can contribute to deforestation-free supply chains. Speakers from Malawi, Rwanda and Kenya will share their grassroots expertise, visuals, and perspectives on how to support smallholder farmers to leverage nature-based solutions on their farms and integrate them into profitable business models. They will also examine tree nurseries as a restoration business model, as well as share practical examples and best practices they have developed at the community level.

  • Michael Okeyo

    Assistant Principal Research Scientist, Kenya Forestry Research Institute

  • Annie Kairaba

    Founding Member and Coordinator, Center for Inclusive and Sustainable Development (CISD)

  • Gift Richard Maloya

    Executive Director, Initiative for Climate Action and Development (ICAD)

  • Mwanahawa Salim

    Chairperson, Kwale County Natural Resources Network

  • Akinyi Chemutai

    Coordinator, GLFx Nairobi

  • Noah Nasiali

    CEO and founder, Afarmers Media

  • Rufo Gano

    Research Scientist at Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya Forestry Research Institute

Conference Hall

Secure land rights and legal tenure are crucial to sustainable forest landscape restoration (FLR) as they can shape the willingness of local actors to engage and invest in FLR efforts. At the same time, access to land and land use are shaped by gender relations.

This session aims to shed light on these issues, highlighting the importance of a rights-based and gender-sensitive FLR approach. It will bring in examples from Madagascar and Ethiopia, where the certification of FLR areas is in progress. Starting with a keynote by BMZ, with input from representatives of local user groups and NGOs engaged in the certification process, this session will examine key challenges, success factors and lessons learned at the intersection of land rights, gender and FLR.

Useful links:

  • Gambura Ganta Mengesha

    Biodiversity Conservation Team Leader, Gamo Zone - Forest, Environment and Development Office

  • Workwoha Mekonnen

    Gender Specialist, Part-time consultant , Landesa on Women Land Right in Ethiopia

  • Ousseny Zalifa Georgette

    Mayor, Rural Commune of Sadjoavato

  • Marie Wichmann

    Policy officer for food security in international organisations and land rights, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

GLF Pavilion

You’re in for a treat with this interactive session taking a sneak peek into Kenyan food. Come join us!

The Listening Tree

This is a space to listen deeply. We’ll sit under a majestic wild fig tree and listen to the thoughts, dreams, wishes, challenges and victories of those around us. We’ll tune into where we converge and diverge, and celebrate it all!

16:15-17:00
World Bank | Landscapes for a Livable Planet Pavilion
16:45-18:15
Karura Hall

Africa is set to lose three-quarters of its arable land to land degradation, which will exacerbate poverty and threaten livelihoods across the continent.

Bamboo is a climate-resilient plant that can both reverse land degradation and help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change. It provides a vital resource for African livelihoods and has great potential for green jobs, economic growth, land restoration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This session will showcase bamboo-based land restoration technologies and best practices in Africa by researchers, policymakers and innovators through a series of presentations, short videos, posters, exhibits and audience discussions.

Useful links:

  • Lu Wenming

    Deputy Director General, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization(INBAR)

  • Mr. Gitonga Mugambi

    Principal Secretary, State Department of Forestry, Government of Kenya

  • Jayaraman Durai

    Director of Global Programme, INBAR

  • Tom Okello

    Executive Director, National Forestry Authority, Uganda

  • Jane Njuguna

    Acting Director, Kenya Forestry Research Institute(KEFRI)

  • Mohammed Safdar

    Commercial Manager, Climate Impact Partners

  • Isaac Acquah Jnr

    Director and Head, Natural Resource Department of the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana

  • Selim Reza

    Program Manager, International Bamboo and Rattan Organization(INBAR), East Africa Regional Office Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Conference Hall

The session will address how sovereign solutions can offer rural development and green jobs to communities, youth, communities, smallholders and women across Africa with limited or no access to financial solutions. It will also address how access to climate finance by the private sector, including small and medium enterprises, can help communities adapt to the climate crisis in East Africa. This can be done through improved agricultural practices like the provision of solar-powered irrigation systems, agroforestry, improved livestock rearing, the conservation of natural ecosystems, and monitoring, verification and reporting.

GLF Pavilion

This interactive workshop will see participants from five universities across Africa converge to review and begin to plan for action on restoration education. They will continue to build on a curriculum developed in collaboration with the universities to train future landscape leaders across Africa.

17:45-18:45
GLF Pavilion

Join us on a private tour of the beautiful Karura Forest, located right next to the conference venue! The tour will start at the GLF Pavilion.

There are limited spots available, so all guests are required to pre-register.

Pre-registration link: Here

18:15-18:45
Digital

Enjoy and reflect with one of the New Vision for Earth Film Festival movies. Amid a terrestrial emergency unfolding worldwide, in which Africa is particularly at risk –70 percent of Africa’s under-thirty population stares at a bleak future unless they do something urgently–”Eco-Warriors of Africa” reveals encouraging stories of emerging young leaders fighting to save the planet.

18:45-19:30
Conference Hall

Despite increasing technical support and international food aid, Africa still produces too little to feed its people. Since the 1960s, African countries have received international food aid that is still far from sufficient to meeting the needs of its people. In 2021, Africa received about 33.6% (USD 58.4 billion) of global aid. During the US-Africa Leaders summit in December 2022, the United States pledged USD 2.5 billion in food assistance to help African countries cope with rising food prices, which have increased hunger across the continent.

This debate will explore how foreign aid influences agricultural practices, seed access and markets, food production, distribution, access and consumption in African countries. It will also examine whether foreign aid reinforces dependence or fosters self-sufficiency, and how it affects the ability of African countries to make independent decisions about their food systems.

Join us as these experts critically analyse the impact of foreign aid on African sovereignty and propose strategies for a more sovereign food future for Africa.

Karura Hall

The African continent produces less than 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is already bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, including floods, droughts,and unpredictable rainfall. But the continent faces a hefty bill to prepare itself for a hotter future.

At COP26 in 2021, African leaders estimated they would need USD 1.3 trillion over the next 20 years to deal with climate-related challenges. Initiatives like the Loss and Damage Fund were established to bolster climate resilience. This session will discuss sovereign priorities in terms of how these investments will be distributed.

19:30-21:00
Karura Stage

This year, the GLF turns 10 years old, with CIFOR-ICRAF turning 30, and you’re invited to join us for a special celebration. Don’t miss this performance by local musician Nabalayo, the “fairy godmother of the Nairobi Underground.”

We will also be hosting a separate celebration on Day 2, featuring a spoken word performance by Stom Wambuko, followed by main act Akoth Jumadi. Food and drinks will be provided on both nights.

19:45-20:40
Digital

In this panel, leading filmmakers from around the globe will discuss the intersection of storytelling and environmental restoration. Hear storytellers reflect on why it’s so crucial to listen to voices from the frontline of community and global challenges. How do films document and create memory while contributing to environmental action? What is the role of aesthetics in storytelling about a world in crisis? How do outside storytellers and communities work together to tell local stories?

Tune in to find out.

UTC+3 (Nairobi, Kenya)

Agenda

07:45-23:59
Digital

Director: Khawla Hwiji
Year: 2022
Country: Tunisia
Duration: 10 min
Language: silent (credits in English)

In a world where climate change has profoundly disrupted the ecological balance, farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis. “Vision Floue” immerses the audience in the daily lives of these farmers who invest their heart and soul in their lands despite the difficulties. Exhausted by the depletion of water resources and soil salinization, they must face a heart-wrenching choice: to continue working for their land or to give up in the face of the consequences of climate change. “Vision Floue” offers a profound reflection on the impact of climate change on the agricultural world and invites the public to become aware of the urgency to act in order to preserve our environment.

Join the conversation using #Voices_For_Climate_Action #Hivos MENA

Learn more at Facebook and connect with the director on Instagram.

08:00-09:00
Karura Stage

Join us on a private tour of the beautiful Karura Forest, located right next to the conference venue! The tour will start at the GLF Pavilion.

There are limited spots available, so all guests are required to pre-register.

Main Gate

The registration desk is located in the Main Gate.
To register, please bring your registration confirmation letter/ticket with you (printed or on your mobile device) along with your passport or local ID to show the registration staff at the desk.
There is also coffee and tea available.

If you have any questions about the conference or the venue during the day, please feel free to ask at the registration desk.

09:00-09:45
Karura Hall

Ecosystem-based adaptation and agroecology are two crucial tools for building climate-resilient landscapes. In this session, we will present a GIZ study on agroecology and ecosystem-based adaptation, supported by the German government, as well as a policy brief. In five practical steps, we will illustrate how the two approaches can be aligned and showcase three projects that demonstrate practical examples at the local level.

First, a representative from GIZ ProSoil project in Madagascar will elaborate on the lessons learned from improving farming systems through agroecological practices, showing its potentials and barriers for climate change adaptation and food security.

Next, WWF Kenya will illustrate its focus on capacity building of farmers in Taita Teveta County in Kenya for applied ecosystem-based adaptation.

Lastly, a GIZ project working in Ecuador, Costa Rica and Guatemala will demonstrate how ecosystem-based adaptation can be scaled up in Latin America to create more resilient rural landscapes.

The session aims to enhance linkages between ecosystem-based adaptation and agroecology, in line with creating synergies between the three Rio Conventions. On behalf of the Agroecology Coalition, Oliver Oliveros will wrap up the discussion and provide a closing statement.

Useful links:

Conference Hall

There’s no question there’s a global appetite for wild meat. But how can we strike a balance between conservation and the well-being of local populations? Through regulations, education, and alternative income-generating opportunities, governments and organizations are working to reduce illegal hunting, promote sustainable hunting practices, and raise awareness about the ecological importance of wildlife. This session aims to share knowledge, discuss challenges and strengthen international collaborations to address the complex issues surrounding bushmeat consumption.

09:45-10:00
Digital

GLF Nairobi offers a unique opportunity to meet and connect with people from all over the world working towards a sustainable future. During this networking session, you will be randomly matched with other participants and have the chance to chat for a few minutes. After that, the platform will automatically assign you another participant so you can start another interesting conversation. Always make sure to briefly introduce yourself and start by explaining why you’re interested in the conference themes and how they relate to your work.

10:00-11:00
Conference Hall

As the climate crisis accelerates, scientists, civil society, grassroots organizations and some policymakers are calling for urgent action to phase out fossil fuels, improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable land use alongside renewables. But millions of people are already dealing with the effects of climate disasters, biodiversity loss, severe food and water insecurity, and social inequalities.

It’s time for a new vision for Earth – one that will trigger a system-wide transformation to benefit humanity across the board and build both sovereignty and stewardship in landscapes. Join world leaders, activists and experts in this opening plenary to highlight the latest scientific insights, novel policy instruments and bold new ideas to build a new vision for earth – one that keeps us within planetary boundaries and ensures the well-being of people and our planet.

11:00-11:45
Conference Hall

In this plenary, you’ll hear from investment-ready projects working on nature-based solutions and sustainable landscapes. These projects will pitch their work to investors, who will ask questions and share feedback in a Dragons’ Den format.

11:00-12:15
Digital

This session will examine the potential of jurisdictional approaches as a pathway to address challenges on the ground, focusing on case studies in Indonesia. Jurisdictional approaches promote multistakeholder collaboration, create incentives or value proportions and connect the dots between different types of initiatives across level or sector.
They have been implemented to improve forest conservation and sustainable commodity development in Indonesia, including in the oil palm sector.

Useful links:
Project flyer (Bahasa)

11:30-13:00
G20 Global Land Initiative / UNCCD Pavilion

The G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, which is leading the Land Restoration Challenge, will highlight upcoming activities under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Speakers will also showcase other activities under the Decade, as well as other restoration challenges.

Click here to learn more.

GLF Pavilion

We are living in daunting times in the face of growing socioeconomic, climate and biodiversity crises. These challenges can be overwhelming, but we shouldn’t be afraid as we are not alone. No transformation can be achieved individually: finding a community can be one of the most joyful ways to tackle the feelings of helplessness that we often encounter. This Climate Circle is a safe space for you to can nurture a sense of solidarity with like-minded people.

Join us to share your feelings, thoughts, needs, dreams and fears, and find strength and solace in working together to achieve climate justice. This session has limited places. Please sign up here, and we will be in touch via email to share further instructions.

11:45-12:00
Digital

Join us in celebrating a decade of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), a journey marked by impactful dialogues and transformative visions from speakers worldwide. Over the years, thousands of voices have converged, each contributing to the collective mission of co-creating the landscape approach. Today, we honor some of our finest speakers, whose inspiring words continue to resonate and guide our path towards a better future. Tune in to be inspired by their insights and passion for positive change.

12:00-12:05
Digital

Hear Inger Andersen unveil her visionary perspective for Earth, which compels us to rewrite the narrative on Africa, follow its leadership and join forces with Generation Restoration to forge a brighter future of ecological renewal.

Inger Andersen is the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, appointed in 2019 by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. With a career spanning over 30 years in international development economics, environmental sustainability, and policymaking, she has a profound dedication to conservation and sustainable development. Before her role at UNEP, Andersen served as the Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Her extensive experience includes leadership positions at the World Bank and the United Nations, focusing on water, environment, and sustainable development, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. Andersen’s educational background comprises a BA from London Metropolitan University North and an MA degree in development economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

  • Inger Andersen

    Executive Director , United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

12:05-12:10
Digital

Dive into the world of Rodrigo Medellín as he unveils his vision for Earth, urging us all to engage and ‘talk to your neighbor’ for a sustainable and interconnected future.

Rodrigo Medellín, a prominent figure in Mexican mammal ecology and conservation, has dedicated over 30 years to studying and safeguarding his home country’s diverse wildlife, with a particular focus on bats. With a multidisciplinary approach integrating community ecology, plant-animal interactions, population biology and molecular ecology, he has earned a PhD from the University of Florida after graduating from UNAM.

Medellín holds key academic positions, including adjunct professor at Columbia University and the University of Arizona. He has been a pivotal figure in various national and international conservation organizations, notably serving as President of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB). As a prolific author and researcher, Medellín has published over 170 works, including scientific articles and books on bat ecology, mammal conservation, and diversity. He is the founder and director of the Program for Conservation of Bats of Mexico, and his impactful contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors.

12:10-12:15
Digital

Join us on an inspiring journey with Zizipho, youth engagement manager at the Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN) and a project manager at SouthSouthNorth in Cape Town, South Africa.

Zizi works to create platforms for knowledge exchange, capacity building workshops and innovative projects that amplify youth voices within decision-making processes. Her commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue has brought her to numerous international conferences and events on sustainable development. Through these platforms, they have facilitated discussions between policymakers, experts, and young leaders from various backgrounds to promote cross-sector collaboration towards achieving climate resilience.

  • Zizipho Royi

    South Africa
    Youth Engagement Manager, Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN)

12:15-13:00
Conference Hall

This session will take stock of progress towards land restoration and what needs to be done to eliminate land degradation and move further towards restoration and regeneration. Through a food systems lens, it will examine how land use for food production needs to change in the decades ahead.

Karura Hall

Have you ever contemplated the remarkable synergy that unfolds when inspired individuals from every corner of the world come together to share their unique visions? In this era of interconnected crises, fresh perspectives stand as our beacon of hope. The visionaries we seek are deeply intertwined with the land and its people.

This session serves as a platform to share the inspiring narratives of our modern-day heroes: young leaders, journalists, community builders, dedicated stewards, and esteemed elders; people of all ages and backgrounds, all steadfast in their commitment to drive change. Together, we will craft a renewed vision for Earth, drawn from a collective dream for the future of humanity and our beloved planet—the home we all cherish.

12:30-13:00
GLF Pavilion

Greener.land is a free online tool that helps you choose the most suitable method for restoring your landscape whilst contributing to enhancing biodiversity, livelihoods, and resilience to climate change. Using filters such as aridity, land slope, and budget, you can identify suitable interventions for your own landscape that can help to revitalise the health of your lands, soils, and local ecosystems.

Greener.land is developed by Justdiggit, Nature^Squared and SamSamWater.

13:00-13:15
Digital

Embark on an enlightening journey with Otto Scharmer as he guides us through a system thinking-based reality meditation. Otto, a senior lecturer at MIT and the founding chair of the Presencing Institute, has spent two decades empowering leaders to embrace transformative cross-sector systems.

Pioneering the ‘presencing’ concept through bestselling books like Theory U and Presence, Otto brings us closer to learning from the emerging future. His vision, shaped by early experiences on a family farm in Germany, emphasizes nurturing the social field as the core condition for visible transformations.

Join us in delving into Otto’s profound insights on regenerative leadership and the transformative shift from ego to eco, an essential stride towards a better world.

  • Otto Scharmer

    Senior Lecturer at MIT and Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute

13:00-14:00
Sessions
Lunch LIVE NOW
Lunch Area
13:15-13:25
Digital

If you could draw your vision for Earth, what would that look like? Join us on a visual journey as we unravel Emília Santos’ unique vision for Earth through her artistry. Emília, a Brazilian visual artist armed with a master’s degree in multimedia, delves into the depths of imagination, seamlessly blending materials and genres to bring her creations to life. From adorning magazine covers to collaborating on compelling projects like ‘Afrodisíaca,’ her artistic prowess knows no bounds.

13:25-13:35
Digital

This film tells the story of rattan harvesting in the village of Lelekaa, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, where communities have been involved in this tradition for decades. Although rattan is abundant, there are numerous challenges involved in producing high-quality rattan-based products and maintaining competitive prices. Government assistance and training can be a solution.

The film also shows how rattan has benefited the people of Lelekaa, helping them educate their children and an important source of income. This is a brief story about the beauty of nature and how the people of Lelekaa live closely with rattan.

13:30-14:00
GLF Pavilion

Explore the powerful visions of young Earth advocates, Monica Yator and Bulimo Peter. Monica, a resilient climate change activist and founder of the Indigenous Women and Girls Initiative, inspires empowerment in the face of climate challenges. On the other hand, Bulimo Peter, an environmentalist at the nature-climate-justice nexus and Project Co-Coordinator for Youth4Nature’s INUKA Project, harnesses youth expertise to drive forward nature-based solutions and amplify restoration efforts. Join us in this journey of hope and action for a different future.

13:30-14:15
World Bank | Landscapes for a Livable Planet Pavilion
13:35-13:40
Digital

Delve into the inspiring vision for Earth with Dr. Solange Bandiaky-Badji, coordinator and president of the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), a global coalition advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples.

Driven by her dedication, Dr. Bandiaky-Badji spearheads initiatives addressing tenure rights reform and gender justice, shaping a strategic understanding of issues in Africa. With a strong academic background and experience in environmental sciences, philosophy, and gender studies, she brings a unique perspective to the global discourse on natural resource management, climate solutions, and peacebuilding. Join us as we explore her impactful journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable world.

13:40-13:45
Digital

Mariz Osbina is a marine biologist working on mangrove restoration in the Philippines. She is also a program officer at Oceanus Conservation, a local youth-led NGO, where she focuses on ocean literacy and advocacy, citizen science for seagrass monitoring, biodiversity assessment, and communications. She is also the communications coordinator at GLFx Mindanao.

Throughout her career, she has aimed to promote marine education for youth, collaborate with local communities, and make a positive impact on marine conservation in the Philippines.

14:00-14:45
Conference Hall

The session will showcase the CompensACTION initiative, which was launched under the German G7 presidency in 2022 and aims to give agricultural producers adequate compensation for their work. It especially seeks to help smallholders in developing countries earn a living income by selling their produce and being paid for the ecosystem services they provide.

The session will present evidence from pilot projects, share experiences from partners on payment for ecosystem services schemes, and showcase opportunities for new partnerships.

Useful links:

  • Aaron Munzaa

    Strategy and Finance Director, Soil-Carbon Certification Services (SCCS)

  • Ma. Eliza J. Villarino

    Research Fellow, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT

  • Wiebe Smit

    Policy and Impact Innovator, Clim-EAT

Karura Hall

Local communities, Indigenous Peoples, youth and women are owning their visions for Earth and finding solutions to turn them into reality. In this session, organized in collaboration with Breakthrough Strategies and Solutions, GLFx chapters and Restoration Stewards, join us on a journey around the world to explore local initiatives and beacons of hope, their current impacts, and their potential for change.
GLFx and Restoration Stewards Programs are sponsored by:

14:00-16:00
G20 Global Land Initiative / UNCCD Pavilion

This side event, co-organized with the Stand 4 Her Land Campaign, GROOTS Kenya, and ILC Africa, will bring grassroots women, government and CSO representatives as well as international development agencies together to highlight the nexus between land restoration, secure women land rights and addressing the climate crisis.

It will also disseminate knowledge around successful practices by women restoring land in highland and rangeland ecosystems and create networking opportunities to advance land restoration goals.

Click here to learn more.

14:00-15:00
GLF Pavilion

How can storytelling ignite environmental and social action? How can you amplify your message by telling “solution stories” – and what does that look like in journalism, filmmaking and other areas?

Get the answers from two filmmakers presenting their work at the New Vision from Earth Film Festival. This conversation will bring together a journalist and outreach program manager at Pulitzer Center and a community changemaker to explore “solution stories” featuring real, local changemakers as protagonists, and how these stories can impact communities.

Two short films will be at the center of this conversation, and everyone registered for the GLF Nairobi 2023 Hybrid Conference can watch them now for free at the New Vision for Earth Film Festival: Eco-Warriors of Africa and The Forest Guardian.

14:15-14:45
World Bank | Landscapes for a Livable Planet Pavilion

Join us for an enlightening session with the new CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF, Éliane Ubalijoro, as she details a new vision for Earth catalyzed by trees, forests and agroforestry. By laying out a pathway and real-world solutions to restore biodiversity and build climate resilience and sustainable food systems, participants will gain new insights into the innovative tools, science, practice and technology that can transform our world.

14:45-15:05
Digital

Join us on a journey through landscapes from Latin America and the Caribbean, and watch our community of actors at work on the ground. From the GLFx Plan de Amayo seedbed in El Salvador, to the mountainous ecosystems of El Higuerón, San Francisco de Asis peasant community in the Salas district in Lambayeque, Peru, we’ll look at how the GLF’s Restoration Stewards and Chapters are working to create sustainable landscapes.

15:15-16:30
Karura Hall

This interactive session will delve deep into the challenges and opportunities to catalyze climate finance for nature-based solutions, especially in the Global South, featuring solutions from Luxembourg. It will emphasize the importance of climate finance for nature-based solutions and discuss strategies to ensure that financing reaches local communities.

Tune in to discover solutions from Luxembourg organizations and institutions on climate adaptation and mitigation financing, as well as form new collaborations for sustainable finance, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation ahead of the UNFCCC COP28 climate summit.

15:15-16:00
The Listening Tree

Otto Scharmer prepared a special video on his approach to systems based reality meditation for GLF Nairobi. It starts with the current state of the system, then tunes into emerging future possibilities. He also kindly provided a guided exercise for us to lead at the conference. Come and join for this collective inquiry into the future possibilities our hearts desire!

15:20-15:25
Digital

Embark on a transformative journey as Wanjira Mathai, the managing director for Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute, unveils her visionary perspective amidst the biodiversity and climate crises.

Wanjira Mathai is a remarkable leader with over two decades of experience advocating for profound social and environmental change on both local and international stages. Currently serving as the managing director for Africa and global partnerships at WRI, her impactful journey has included roles as VP & regional director for Africa and co-chair of WRI’s Global Restoration Council. Wanjira is also the Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, honoring the legacy of her mother, Wangari Maathai, a 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya.

Recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2018, 2020 and 2021, Wanjira’s commitment to sustainable change is underpinned by her strategic advocacy and invaluable contributions to the realms of climate change, youth leadership, sustainable energy, and landscape restoration. Join us as we delve into the wisdom and insights of this extraordinary advocate for positive change.

  • Wanjira Mathai

    Africa Managing Director and Global Partnerships, World Resources Institute (WRI)

16:00-16:45
Digital

Enjoy and reflect on stories from the New Vision for Earth Film Festival. Produced in the Colombian Amazonia and the forests of Uganda, these two films inspire action while instilling commitment and admiration toward local communities taking care of Mother Earth and, in turn, helping everybody’s existence on the planet.

16:00-17:30
GLF Pavilion

Capacity development and education are the latest addition to the CIFOR-ICRAF palette of science in action. This session is for CIFOR-ICRAF staff and partners to exchange existing experience with capacity development and education and co-create a sound strategy for collaborative action.

Together, we will explore how best to create a model for translocal and glocal learning and make strategic use of digital edu-technology to achieve its aim. As an example, we will present the Digital Campus, an extension of the Landscape Academy that aims to provide space for learning and exploration through blended learning. It harbors vibrant communities of learners and educators and offers all the tools that are needed to create meaningful learning experiences. We will walk through the Digital Campus and its features, and you will learn how to use it in your own work.

16:15-16:00
Conference Hall

Well managed carbon markets can provide opportunities for nature, communities and the economy. However, the introduction and implementation of carbon credit schemes also comes with serious risks: people with insecure tenure rights risk being excluded from benefit sharing and decision making and could even being forced off their land.

This session will discuss the risks of carbon markets to local communities without tenure rights, as well as ways to address them and allow community members to become active stakeholders in carbon markets and reap the benefits.

Useful links:
Safeguards for Carbon Markets – Prioritizing Local Communities’ Tenure Rights

16:15-16:45
Digital

Most of the extreme weather events and impacts of the climate crisis are hitting the most vulnerable communities and landscapes. According to article 8 of the 2015 Paris Agreement, “parties recognise the importance of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change including extreme weather events and slow onset events.” But is recognition of these realities the best we can do as humanity?

Without tangible solutions at COP 26, heads of states of the majority world and young activists in the Global South managed to include “loss and damage” in the final outcome of COP 27. But what is next? For this Youth Daily Show, we are sitting down with activists from the frontlines of the climate crisis to shine a light on what these issues really mean for the world today and tomorrow.

16:45-17:30
Conference Hall

This session will present an evidence-based approach to finding low-cost, accessible and straightforward options that will allow countries in the Global South to meet their nationally determined commitments to the Paris Agreement. With our country partners, we will discuss and share insights from this approach in Colombia, Kenya and Vietnam.

  • Laura Cramer

    Policy engagement specialist, International Livestock Research Institute

  • Christopher Martius

    Team Leader, Climate Change, Energy & Low-Carbon Development, CIFOR-ICRAF

  • Bernard Kimoro

    Head Climate Change and Livestock Sustainability, State Department for Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya

  • Elizabeth Adobi Okwuosa

    Soil scientist, KALRO

Karura Hall

Climate science and climate politics are extremely complex. Journalists and the media have the tricky task of translating huge amounts of data and information into a language that everybody understands. But how can communities generate their own climate information using their own local media to inspire local people to be part of the solution? Hosted by DW Akademie, this panel will focus on challenges facing community media, highlighting best practices from Africa and Latin America.

DW Akademie is Deutsche Welle’s center for international media development, journalism training and knowledge transfer. Our projects strengthen the human right to freedom of expression and unhindered access to information.

17:30-17:50
Digital

Join us on a journey through landscapes from Asia and the Pacific region and witness the on-the-ground field activities of our community of actors. From the Salumayag Youth Collective for Forests initiative in Mindanao, the Philippines, to the School Meet the Reef conservation initiative in Mirissa, Sri Lanka, and the Pongo Ranger community in Kalimantan, Indonesia, we will look at how the GLF’s Restoration Stewards and Chapters are working to build sustainable landscapes.

17:50-17:55
Digital

Lynn Hernandez is young Guatemalan woman committed to forest restoration and conservation linked to communities. She applies her expertise in agricultural engineering in renewable natural resources at the Private Institute for Climate Change Research and at the GLFx South Guatemala chapter.

She holds extensive experience in research development focused on sustainability, production unit diversification, community organization processes, academic interlinking of transdisciplinary groups and more. Her experience and academic network span both Guatemala and Mexico.
She also helped create an advisory platform for groups of vulnerable sectors, small producers, communities, and institutions on restoration and landscape management. Lynn’s work has leveraged inter-institutional spaces and mid-scale actions that strengthen territorial governance.

17:55-18:00
Digital

Isabelle Dela Paz is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB), specializing in Urban Forestry because of her interest in urban agroforestry and climate change mitigation. She currently works as a Communications Associate at CIFOR-ICRAF Philippines and as the current President of the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA). From 2021 to 2023, Isabelle served as IFSA’s Internal Councilor. She was also the former Vice President of the Association of Filipino Forestry Students, which is a duly recognized academic-environmental organization in the Philippines.

18:00-18:45
Karura Hall

This introduces biological corridors as an important element for the success of large-scale ecosystem restoration. It is crucial to ensure connectivity across landscapes to allow ecosystem restoration to contribute to climate adaptation, human well-being and biodiversity conservation.

This session presents examples of successful implementation from three different organizations: the NGO Pro Eco Azuero on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama, the Environmental Investment Fund of El Salvador (FIAES) and the National System of Conservation Areas of Costa Rica (SINAC), and discusses how governments can design supportive policies. It asks: how can we make the benefits of biological corridors more evident to different stakeholders, and how can we scale up successful approaches?

Conectar paisajes – creando corredores biológicos para la restauración de ecosistemas
La sesión presenta los corredores biológicos como un elemento importante para el éxito de la restauración de ecosistemas a gran escala, ya que, logrando la conectividad a través del paisaje es fundamental para que la restauración de los ecosistemas contribuya a la adaptación al clima, el bienestar humano y la conservación de la biodiversidad. La sesión presenta ejemplos de aplicación con éxito por parte de la ONG Pro Eco Azuero en la Península de Azuero en Panamá y analiza el Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación de Costa Rica (SINAC) y cómo los gobiernos pueden diseñar políticas de apoyo. La sesión se pregunta ¿Cómo podemos hacer que los beneficios de los corredores biológicos sean más evidentes para las diferentes partes interesadas y cómo podemos ampliar los enfoques exitosos?

Useful links:

Conference Hall

In a world that is on fire and underwater at the same time, young people around the world are leading efforts for radical transformation. From the mountains of Costa Rica to the rivers of Bangladesh to the drylands of Madagascar, young landscape leaders are reconnecting with their land and culture, fueling a historical climate movement, mobilizing across sectors and policy levels, and actively restoring their landscapes. And with that, they are restoring hope for a world where we all can all live in dignity and in harmony with nature. But what do these people need from the rest of society to turn their visions into reality? Join this session co-created by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the Youth in Landscapes Initiative and the Global Landscapes Forum to hear the stories of young experts, and reflect on how we can all create positive and meaningful change in the world. GLFx and Restoration Stewards Programs are sponsored by:

18:45-19:45
Conference Hall

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been hailed as a “survival guide for humanity.” We learned that global warming is “more likely than not” to reach 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in the near future, resulting in “increasingly irreversible losses” and triggering critical climate ‘tipping points’.

What is stopping us from phasing out fossil fuels, protecting ecosystems and reducing deforestation? What will it take to get governments and business to take real, meaningful climate action?

There is still hope for a just transition to a decarbonized world, but we must act now: every fraction of a degree matters. In the closing plenary of GLF Nairobi, join us in crafting a survival guide for humanity.

  • Éliane Ubalijoro

    Chief Executive Officer, CIFOR-ICRAF

  • Bill McKibben

    Author, Educator, Activist, and Founder, Third Act

  • Lyla June

    Indigenous musician, author, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages

  • Lindiwe Majele Sibanda

    Chair, CGIAR System Board

  • Marina Silva

    Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Government of Brazil

  • Otto Scharmer

    Senior Lecturer at MIT and Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute

  • Sandrine Dixson Decleve

    Co-President of the Club of Rome , Club of Rome

  • Tim Christophersen

    VP, Climate Action, Salesforce

  • Ruth Nesoba

    Vice President, Regional (East Africa) Deployments and Newsgathering Assistant Editor, Kenya Editors Guild, BBC World Service

19:45-22:00
Karura Stage

This year, the GLF turns 10 years old, with CIFOR-ICRAF turning 30, and you’re invited to join us for a special celebration. Don’t miss our night of music with local act Akoth Jumadi, supported by spoken-word artist Stom Wambuko and hosted by Natasha Elkington. Food and drinks will be provided.

This celebration will be co-hosted with FLARE to kick off their 2023 Annual Meeting, which takes place in Nairobi from 12–16 October.