FERI celebrates a decade of impact in forest restoration

Marking its 10th anniversary, the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) convened stakeholders from around the world to showcase its transformative impact on forest restoration. The initiative, launched under the auspices of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), reflects a concerted international commitment to restore degraded ecosystems and foster biodiversity conservation.

In a session highlighting achievements, challenges, and future goals, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration, policy integration, and sustainable financial mechanisms to drive large-scale forest restoration. The session was convened by the Convention on Biological Diversity and Korea Forest Service at the Blue Zone, CBD COP 16 in Cali, Colombia on 23 October 2024.

Juliette Biao of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNF

F) Secretariat emphasized the need to strengthen alliances across international frameworks. “Leveraging synergies is crucial,” she noted, stressing that coordinated efforts among countries and organizations can maximize restoration outcomes and promote resilience across forest landscapes. This sentiment was echoed by multiple speakers who identified collaborative frameworks as a foundational element of successful restoration.

Highlighting the intertwined nature of ecosystem restoration and socio-economic factors, Fabiola Zerbini from Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change stressed the need to view degraded land through a multi-dimensional lens. “We must treat degraded land as a socio-economic-environmental issue,” Zerbini stated, suggesting that only holistic, inclusive policies can support meaningful restoration. This approach aligns with Brazil’s ongoing efforts to integrate forest restoration into national development plans, engaging both government agencies and local communities.

Representatives from Colombia, Brazil, Nepal, and South Korea shared case studies showcasing the progress, unique challenges, and innovative approaches within their respective nations: Colombia and Brazil have focused on natural regeneration and community engagement to enhance secondary vegetation and forest connectivity. Indigenous communities play a crucial role, protecting and managing landscapes to sustain biodiversity. Representatives from Nepal underscored ongoing capacity challenges, particularly in data collection, research funding, and human resources. Recognizing the need for data-driven decision-making, Nepal is pushing for innovative solutions to bridge gaps in its forest restoration efforts. South Korea has been at the forefront of technology-driven restoration, leveraging digital tools and data analytics to monitor and manage forest health. The Korea Forest Service has shared its expertise widely, offering models for other countries to follow.

The session underscored several areas critical to advancing CGIAR’s research agenda in multifunctional landscapes and ecosystem services:
• Synergies and Collaboration: Aligning strategies and fostering partnerships are essential for the scalability of forest restoration. International coordination helps streamline efforts, aligning diverse stakeholders toward common goals.
• Prioritizing Natural Regeneration: Countries like Colombia and Brazil have demonstrated the efficacy of natural regeneration, especially when coupled with community involvement. Protecting and enhancing secondary vegetation can effectively restore connectivity in fragmented landscapes.
• Addressing Capacity Challenges: Countries like Nepal highlighted the need for enhanced research funding, data accessibility, and skilled personnel. The discussion pointed to the necessity of financial support and capacity-building initiatives to overcome these hurdles.
• Integrating Socio-Economic Factors: Restoration efforts must consider socio-economic contexts to achieve sustainable outcomes. Policy incentives, aligned with economic and environmental needs, are essential for long-term restoration success.
• Data and Monitoring: Access to disaggregated, reliable data remains a bottleneck for evidence-based decision-making. Improved data systems are critical to track progress, assess ecosystem health, and tailor restoration strategies effectively.

As FERI moves into its second decade, it seeks to deepen its commitment to biodiversity, climate resilience, and community engagement. The initiative aims to build on its foundation of international collaboration and innovative, data-driven solutions to restore forest ecosystems worldwide.

The FERI anniversary highlighted both the progress and the work that lies ahead. A collective commitment from governments, communities, and organizations will be essential to tackle the remaining challenges. Through continued capacity-building, financing mechanisms, and policy innovation, the initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on global forest health, ensuring forests continue to serve as vital ecosystems for generations to come.

By Janelle Sylvester