Originally posted by IUCN
This September, an estimated 10,000 people will converge on the Hawai‘i Convention Center in Honolulu to exchange conservation ideas, discuss pressing issues and learn from one another at the IUCN World Conservation Conference. Forests will be at the top of the agenda for many – and dozens of talks, workshops, and formal presentations will stimulate forest-minded participants.
On the main concourse, two high-level workshops on the Bonn Challenge will provide learning opportunities as well as updates on the progress of this global forest landscape restoration (FLR) initiative to restore 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030. On the mornings of 3-4 September from 8:30-10:30, participants can observe government and conservation leaders from around the world as they share their FLR stories and discuss commitments to the challenge in Bonn Challenge High-level Dialogue 1: Restoration leadership in action and Bonn Challenge High-level Dialogue 2: Restoration action for the future. Learn more about the Bonn Challenge Journey at IUCN Congress here.
The epicentre of forest discussions at IUCN Congress will take place on the ground floor of the Convention Center at the Forest Pavilion. Set your expectations high because each of the four public days are full of forest-related sessions, beginning from the opening of the doors and lasting well into the evenings. Session presenters include: government representatives, conservation NGOs, universities, IUCN staff from around the world, and more. Each day will focus on a theme that groups similar topics and sets a course for each participant to follow, as part of the Forest Journey.
Sessions at a glance:
- September 2
Pavilion sessions kick off at 11:00 under the theme Science & evidence to enhance forest knowledge. Topics range from approaches to using the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) with a focus on Brazil and other restoration tools, to the impact of conservation on human welfare and monitoring production forests. Sessions later in the week by Greenpeace and The World Bank round out this important theme.
- September 3
Focused on Restoring forests & building communities, this day will highlight forest landscape restoration activities in China, Mexico,Central America, West and Central Africa, governance, and a new 10-country restoration initiative, closing with a celebration of the Bonn Challenge.
- September 4
This day’s theme highlights Sustainable land use for a changing planet by featuring sessions on disaster risk reduction, cultural connections to forests, land degradation neutrality, Land Use Dialogues, primary forests, and a session on the Red List of Ecosystems. A joint networking cocktail on the SUSTAIN-Africa initiative hosted by the Forest, Water and Business & Biodiversity Pavilions will top off the evening.
- September 5
The Forest Journey’s fourth theme looks at Partnerships to protect & maintain healthy forests. This day will showcase the livelihoods and business side of forest management with discussions on forest dependency, forest and farm producers, locally controlled forests, community resource management, and much more. Join sessions to hear about stakeholder engagement from partners such as The Body Shop, Asia Pulp & Paper Group, and the Zoological Society of London.
Many more sessions and further details are available online.
During IUCN World Conservation Congress, the Forest Pavilion is an ideal place to learn about and share forest-related knowledge and other nature-based solutions. Beyond the sessions, there will be multiple interactive exhibits and resources at your disposal any time of day or evening. The stage for forest discussions will be set throughout the IUCN World Conservation Congress – join in and be a part of the action.
