Forest Data Without Borders: Knowledge Exchange on National Forest Inventories and Forest Biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean

This event, to be held in Antigua Guatemala from 7 to 11 July 2025, will bring together experts, government representatives and organizations from across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen the exchange of knowledge on national forest inventories (NFIs) and forest biodiversity in the region. Access to accurate and transparent forest data is essential for sustainable forest management and for tracking progress towards global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA).

Organized by the Latin American and Caribbean National Forest Inventory Network (IFN-LAC), with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Forest Science Institute (ICIFOR) of INIA-CSIC, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the CBIT-Forest project, the United Kingdom’s Aim4Forests programme, and Spanish Cooperation (AECID), this regional workshop will provide a platform to share best practices, strengthen technical knowledge, and explore opportunities for collaboration in forest monitoring. Discussions will focus on biodiversity assessment, the harmonization of volume variables, the use of non-destructive measurement technologies, and the promotion of open forest data.

The event will also contribute to strengthening the IFN-LAC network, planning future activities, and supporting countries in the voluntary update of their national reports to the FRA.

 KEY MESSAGES

• High-quality, accessible, and transparent forest data is essential for sustainable forest management and progress towards international goals such as the SDGs and FRA. National forest inventories (NFIs) are a key tool for collecting and analysing this information.
• FAO supports countries in the development and implementation of robust NFIs. While many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are advancing their national forest monitoring systems, there is a growing need for structured regional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Regional NFI networks provide valuable platforms for harmonizing methodologies, building technical capacity, and fostering collaboration. By connecting countries, experts and institutions, these networks enhance the comparability, transparency, and quality of forest data.

OBJECTIVES

• Facilitate dialogue and technical knowledge exchange on NFIs among countries in the region;
• Share best practices and lessons learned in biodiversity assessment, volume estimation and data harmonization;
• Promote the use of innovative, non-destructive tools such as terrestrial LiDAR and ForeStereo;
• Strengthen countries’ technical capacities to produce high-quality, comparable NFIs and harmonized indicators;
• Promote the openness of forest data and its use in evidence-based decision-making;
• Encourage regional cooperation opportunities and support voluntary updates to the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA).

AGENDA

• Day 1 – Biodiversity Assessment: Technical sessions on biodiversity indicators, forest composition and structure, and regional methodologies.
• Day 2 – Volume Harmonization and Remote Sensing: Training on volume estimation methods, use of terrestrial LiDAR and ForeStereo, and regional case studies.
• Day 3 – Field Visit: On-site demonstrations in Tecpán, Guatemala, of non-destructive measurement tools and biodiversity monitoring linked to forest restoration.
• Day 4 – IFN-LAC Network harmonization session and Open Forest Data: Planning of the IFN-LAC work programme, presentation of national experiences, and promotion of data transparency.
• Day 5 – Voluntary FRA Updates: A technical space for countries interested in updating their national reports for FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA).

 

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