Accelerating inclusive agrifood systems - the sustainable use of forest products beyond wood

Webinar #4

Accelerating inclusive agrifood systems
The sustainable use of forest products beyond wood

Tuesday 30 September 2025

12.00-14.00 (UTC+2)

Context

Join the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on 30 September 2025 for the fourth webinar of this dynamic global series on sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches.

This month we explore how forest-based bioeconomy approaches can transform agrifood systems. By emphasizing social sustainability, equitable benefit-sharing and improved livelihoods, this webinar will explore how forest goods and services are driving innovation in sectors such as food, cosmetics, bioplastics and ecotourism. You will hear inspiring case studies on innovative practices beyond wood in accelerating inclusive agrifood systems.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how the diversity of forest products contribute to a sustainable bioeconomy and inclusive agrifood systems.

Everyone is welcome to join!

This global webinar series is an integral part of the Country and Organization-Led Initiative on Sustainable Forest-based Bioeconomy Approaches and is supported by the Federal Ministry, Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Republic of Austria, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.

Speakers

Webinar #4 recording

Summary report Concept note and agenda Background paper

Introduction and moderator

Sven Walter
Senior Forestry Officer
Forestry Division, FAO

Co-chair opening remarks

Songhee Nam
Director General
International Affairs Bureau
Korea Forest Service
Republic of Korea

Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo
Ambassador-at-Large in charge of Climate, Environment and Sustainable Development of Gabon
Co-Facilitator of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership
Gabon

Keynote: Forest products beyond wood: A pathway to scaling up forest-based bioeconomy approaches and accelerating inclusive agrifood systems

Carsten Smith-Hall
Professor, University of Copenhagen
Deputy Coordinator of former IUFRO Task Force 44, “Unlocking the Bioeconomy and Non-Timber Forest Products”

Reflections on the keynote

Garo Batmanian
Director General
Brazilian Forest Service
Brazil

Rata Muda
Senior Policy Analyst, Trade and International Relations
Ministry for Primary Industries
New Zealand

Country experiences and innovations

Indigenous women at the forefront of bamboo production: the Tan Xuan Cooperative

Vu Le Y Voan
Senior Advisor
Forest and Farm Facility
Viet Nam

The role of industry in accelerating sustainable and inclusive shea agroforestry supply chains

Aaron Adu
Managing Director, Global Shea Alliance
Ghana

Innovation for the sustainable use of high value-added products from forests and related side streams

Hanna Brännström
Group Manager, Senior Scientist
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Finland

Forest-based tourism as driver for sustainable agrifood systems

Marianella Feoli
Executive Director
Fundecooperacion for Sustainable Development
Costa Rica

Closing remarks

Ismail Belen
Chair
Bureau of United Nations Forum on Forests

For any further information, contact [email protected].

In collaboration with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).

Forestry