Regional coalitions will be key in supporting countries meeting their national, regional and global commitments under the Bonn Challenge. To understand their role better, FAO’s Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) Mechanism, together with the World Resources Institute (WRI), the African Restoration Initiative AFR100, the Global Partnership for Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR), the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC), the Initiative 20x20 and the International Model Forest Network (IMFN), organized a dedicated side-event during FAO’s 23rd Technical Committee on Forestry (COFO).

This side-event, entitled "Forest and Landscape Restoration regional initiatives: towards the regionalization of the Bonn challenge" was chaired by Peter Besseau, Chair of the GPFLR, Director of the International Affairs Division of Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service and former Executive Director of the IMFN Secretariat. Directed at countries interested in regional initiatives, it aimed at understanding the diversity of existing dynamics in the various regions and sharing current success stories in Latin America, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Mediterranean. It benefited from contributions of various country representatives, chairs of forestry commissions in Asia Pacific, Africa and the Mediterranean, and key development partners involved in the FLR effort, such as WRI and World Bank.

To support the Bonn challenge implementation, a number of countries have already started collaborating through regional initiatives such as the 20x20 Initiative, aimed at supporting the restoration of 20 million hectares by 2020 in Latin America or the AFR100, aimed at restoring 100 million hectares of degraded landscapes in Africa by 2030. Charles Barber (WRI) highlighted the critical role of the regional level as experienced through WRI’s support to AFR100 and the 20x20 Initiative, in particular to (1) Encourage political commitments; (2) Provide technical support for implementation; (3) Develop financial architecture and secure financing; and (4) Connections and exchanges among stakeholders to improve knowledge.

Other dynamics are starting in Asia-Pacific and in the Mediterranean, benefiting from a high level of interest from interested governments and other stakeholders. As reported by Pat Durst, Regional Officer for Asia and the Pacific for FAO, in Asia Pacific, more than 500 million ha of land is available for FLR. Mr. Marcial C. Amaro Jr., Assistant Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines, and Chair of the 26th APFC, highlighted that many activities are already happening in the region, and that FAO is currently supporting the development of a regional strategy and action plan on FLR. Indeed, a survey from FAO revealed that nine out of 14 countries and 22 of 24 other agencies and experts interviewed in the region appreciated the value that a regional initiative would add to their national efforts.

In the Mediterranean, Mr. Chadi Mohanna, Director of Rural Development and Natural Resources (RDNR) in the Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon, emphasized the importance and role of exchanging across countries to advocate towards policy-makers, foster policy commitments by emulation, and exchange knowledge across peers. Mr. Ismail Belen, President of the Committee on Mediterranean Forestry Questions Silva Mediterranea highlighted the Fifth Mediterranean Forest Week, taking place from 20 to 24 March 2017 in Agadir, Morocco. This event, organized by Silva Mediterranea (FAO), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Mechanism of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the World Bank, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and other partners will be the opportunity to further exchange on these perspectives. 

As acknowledged by the representatives of countries who contributed to the event, the various dynamics highlighted during the side event are diverse – be it in terms of ambition, implementation strategy, organizational structure or timeline. Despite this diversity, they all benefit from a strong interest and political buy-in at national level. Ms Fabiola Muñoz, Executive Director of the Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre (SERFOR), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mr. Amaro and Mr. Mohanna, recognized in particular the multiple benefits of such initiatives in terms of resource mobilization, knowledge sharing or facilitation of Policy Reforms.

The World Bank, represented by Paola Agostini, confirmed its interest towards FLR, and concurred on the importance and relevance of regional actions to meet the targets set in the context of that global movement. Within the context of its New Forest Action Plan, the World Bank is a partner of Initiative 20x20 and AFR100, and confirmed interest to contribute actively to the Asia Pacific and Mediterranean dynamics.

The signature of an agreement between Mr. René Castro Salazar, Assistant Director-General of FAO Forestry and Mr. Glenn Mason, Assistant Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan)-Canadian Forest Service representing the IMFN Secretariat, closed the side-event, offering perspectives for enhanced exchange of knowledge, good practices, and lessons learned on FLR efforts across neighboring countries.

Faustine Zoveda