From Forests to Nature - broadening impact through data, innovation and inclusion – FAO launches AIM4NatuRe on Earth Day

On Earth Day 2025, FAO brought together global partners, national experts, youth leaders and Indigenous representatives to mark two milestones: the second anniversary of the AIM4Forests programme and the launch of the new AIM4NatuRe initiative. 

Moderated by Julian Fox, Team Leader, Forest Monitoring and Data Platforms at FAO, the event was joined by more than 350 participants - both in person and online - from across the globe, reflecting the growing interest and momentum behind restoration monitoring and the collaborative spirit driving FAO’s work. 

Dr Joanna McRae from the United Kingdom's International Forest Unit and Dr Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO's Forestry Division opened the event, celebrating the progress made under AIM4Forests. Since its launch on Earth Day 2023, the programme has helped over 3 500 individuals in 14 forest countries build their capacity to use cutting-edge monitoring solutions and methods, unlocking tangible results such as avoided emissions equal to 79 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. "The AIM4Forests programme has demonstrated what’s possible when countries have the tools, training and partnerships they need to act," said Dr McRae. 

Co-developed by FAO and the United Kingdom, AIM4NatuRe expands on the success of AIM4Forests by extending its reach to all ecosystems - forests, wetlands, grasslands, and beyond – and across climate and biodiversity agendas of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The initiative directly supports countries in fulfilling their global biodiversity commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a particular focus on achieving Target 2: the restoration of 30 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030. AIM4NatuRe not only builds on the technical and institutional foundations laid by AIM4Forests, but also incorporates FAO’s biocentric restoration work, ensuring that restoration is both ecologically sound and culturally inclusive. As Dr Wu noted, "We are investing in a knowledge-driven, inclusive approach that will empower people to restore and sustainably manage ecosystems." 

The event's first segment focused on showcasing the key achievements of the AIM4Forests programme over the past two years.  

Ghislaine Gill highlighted AIM4Forests’ support to countries in the Congo Basin, Amazon and Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of tailored technical assistance and data access for strengthening national forest monitoring systems. "We’re helping countries turn data into action by providing the right tools, training and collaboration opportunities," she explained. 

Rocío Cóndor showcased the success of the forest monitoring e-learning curriculum, which has reached 15 000 learners to date. She emphasized its interactive, accessible format that supports both national experts and broader stakeholder groups. "It’s not just about numbers—it’s about knowledge that stays in countries and grows with each new learner," she said. 

Eva Natara introduced the Young Forest Champions Initiative, which began in Kenya and is now expanding to four more countries. She shared how the programme has empowered youth to plant over 150 000 trees and become ambassadors for restoration. "Youth are at the heart of change," she said. "When we support them with skills and purpose, their impact is limitless." 

The second segment focused on the launch of AIM4NatuRe: 

Yelena Finegold, who leads FAO’s work on restoration monitoring, provided a deep dive on AIM4NatuRe. She outlined the initiative’s core goals and emphasized the growing demand for integrated, interoperable data solutions, stressing the fact that "it’s not just about having data - it’s about making it work together across society, sectors and countries." Yelena also underscored the initiative’s commitment to capacity development, especially in data-poor regions, highlighting FAO’s efforts to equip countries with both digital tools and training to ensure sustainability of efforts over time. 

Christina Tzavochariadou of the CBD Secretariat highlighted how the initiative directly supports the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework, especially the need to accelerate implementation through partnerships and shared learning mechanisms. "AIM4NatuRe can act as a real accelerator for countries as they move from planning to action on ecosystem restoration," she noted, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making and regionally embedded support structures to foster collective progress. 

Yon Fernández De Larrinoa, Chief of FAO’s Indigenous Peoples Unit, shared reflections from recent dialogues with Indigenous Peoples, underscoring how restoration efforts are inherently tied to Indigenous values and practices. "These dialogues show us that for Indigenous Peoples, restoration is not a project — it is a way of life," he said.  

Following Yon, Iran Ferreira from Brazil echoed this sentiment by illustrating how restoration is passed down through generations as a form of cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. "Restoration is a lived experience for Indigenous communities. It's how we protect memory, territory, and the future," Iran explained.  

His intervention was followed by Mari Silva from Peru who emphasized the connection between restoration and cultural identity in her country, noting how restoration efforts are being led by communities in the Amazon to protect both biodiversity and Indigenous heritage. "We see restoration as part of our daily lives - it helps us defend our forests, preserve our culture, and bring opportunities to our youth," she said. 

Ashley Steel, Forestry Officer at FAO, concluded the segment by officially launching a new FAO publication titled Enabling consistent reporting and monitoring for freshwater (inland waters) restoration under Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The guidance document introduces a tailored definition of “area under restoration” for freshwater ecosystems and outlines key considerations to support countries in tracking progress toward Target 2. "This publication provides practical tools for countries to consistently report and monitor freshwater restoration — an ecosystem too often overlooked," she explained.  

The day wrapped up on a forward-looking note, celebrating the launch of the new initiative. "We launched AIM4Forests on Earth Day 2023," Julian Fox concluded. "Two years later, we're proud to grow this vision with AIM4NatuRe. The journey continues."