Showcasing the next generation of forest health leaders across the Near East and Africa

The Youth Action in Forest Health competition, co-hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Near East Forest Invasive Species Network (NENFHIS), and the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA), brought together over 110 participants from Africa, the Near East, and beyond to witness the research efforts being championed by emerging scientists addressing forest health challenges.

A stage for young forest health leaders

The Youth Action in Forest Health competition, co-hosted by FAO and its Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN), took place on April 25, 2025, and brought together over 160 participants from across the region and beyond. The event celebrated the energy, creativity, and innovation of young researchers tackling one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The event, hosted by FAO’s Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS), is part of the Voices of Future Forest Health Leaders webinar series; which provides a platform for young experts to share their experiences and emphasize the urgent need for innovation, collaboration, and investment in forest protection.

Five young forest health professionals shared their experiences in FAO’s latest ‘Voices of Future Forest Health Leaders’ webinar, organized in collaboration with the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) and the Near East Network on Forest Heath and Invasive Species (NENFHIS). 

FAO's Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) launched a new webinar series, ‘Voices of future forest health leaders’, aimed at connecting and empowering young professionals in the field. 

FAO today launched an updated Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry, including good practices for forest health protection to help reduce the human-facilitated spread of forest pests and their impacts.

Climate change is increasing the susceptibility of the world's forests to stressors such as wildfires and pests, according to a new flagship publication by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that emphasizes the role of innovation in achieving a sustainable future fo...

FAO and the Regional Centre for Forestry and Rural Development (REFORD) in North Macedonia hosted the annual international meeting of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe...

It was a tremendous honour for me to participate in a workshop organised by the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) and the International Society of Zoological Sciences, with a strong emphasis on capacity building for invasive management in the forests of the Asia-Pacific region.

Over the last two decades, pinewood nematode (PWN), a destructive disease of pine forests, has caused significant mortality to many forests in northeast Asia and southern Europe prompting a global quarantine alert, which is affecting international trade. 

The Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN), along with multiple partners held a workshop on the identification, biology, and management of pine wilt disease (PWD) in Nanjing, China from October 23-27, 2023.

The vital role forests play to ensure environmental health and healthy societies came under the spotlight today at a global event which brought together ministers, experts and youth activists to mark International Day of Forests 2023.

FAO published a new study on forest-related disasters that will help contribute to the development of effective responses for future incidents.

In Asian countries, the red-necked longhorn beetle Aromia bungii is a common pest of peaches and apricots but was not found in Japan until its first detection there in 2011. After the invasion of this beetle into Japan, it has been found attacking cherries and peaches. It has become a severe fruit pest and also a threat to the symbol of Japan, the Sakura, or ornamental cherry tree. Larvae feed on the cambium of the trunk and damaged trees may die. Soon, the number of damaged trees throughout Japan will reach ten thousand.

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode, stands out as one of the most damaging forest diseases in the region. Already well-established in China, South Korea, and Japan, PWD represents an emerging and serious threat to pine forests across Southeast and South Asia. Left unchecked, its spread could have devastating ecological and economic consequences for countries where pine forests have yet to be affected.

The Food Chain Crisis has recently published a flyer on the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB). The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) is an ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculeonidae: Scolytinae) native to Asia, together with its fungal symbiont Fusarium euwallaceae. PHSB attacks agricultural and forestry crops, street and garden trees, as well as several native tree species.

It was a privilege to be part of this programme and I was so delighted to learn a lot from this research group. Through this training workshop, the participants were given the opportunity to learn the principles of forest pathology such as an overview of basic plant pathology, principles of disease management and control, disease survey and sampling methods, recognition of signs and symptoms caused by fungal pathogen as well as exposure to insect-vectored diseases.