Mediterranean forest restoration in focus: Silva Mediterranea and the Forest and Land Restoration Mechanism at the International Model Forest Network Global Forum 2025

Strengthening regional partnerships for resilient forests in the Mediterranean  

From 26 to 30 May 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through its Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism (FLRM) and the Silva Mediterranea secretariat, actively participated in the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Global Forum 2025, the sixth event of its kind, held in Kemptville, Ontario, Canada.  

Hosted by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest and the Ontario Woodlot Association, the forum brought together nearly 200 participants from over 60 model forests worldwide to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration on sustainable forest and landscape management.  

At the start of the global forum on 26th May, the Mediterranean Model Forest Network (MMFN) held the Tenth MedForum, its general assembly. This event provides a platform for regional exchange and strategic discussion. Delegates from ten countries – Albania, Algeria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Spain and Türkiye – gathered to share progress, lessons learned and opportunities across the region. 

The session featured key voices from partner organizations, including Alessandra Stefani, President of Italy’s National Forest-Wood Cluster; Giuliana Torta, Climate Adaptation Policy Expert at the European Commission; Alessandra Sensi, Senior Policy Officer at the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM); and Satia Ras, Coordinator of the Mediterranean Youth Taskforce (MYTF), the youth network operating under Silva Mediterranea. 

Christophe Besacier, Senior Forestry Officer and FLRM Team Leader, spoke during the session. He emphasized the importance of strengthening alliances in the Mediterranean region, particularly through the work of the Silva Mediterranea secretariat and the MMFN. He discussed the ongoing restoration activities in the region, including:  

• “The Paris Agreement in Action: Upscaling Forest and Landscape Restoration to Achieve Nationally Determined Contributions” project. This project is supported by the German International Climate Initiative (IKI) and is being implemented in partnership with the UfM. Several field interventions have been conducted in Lebanon and Morocco, particularly in the Atlas region, in partnership with model forests active in Morocco.  

• The Mediterranean Forest Initiative (MFI) Road Map, currently being developed with support from FAO, in partnership with several regional partners, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The MFI aims to preserve, restore and sustainably manage Mediterranean forest ecosystems.  

• Key achievements from the Eighth Mediterranean Forest Week, which took place in Barcelona in November 2024, along with a brief update on the World Restoration Flagship “Restoring Mediterranean Forests”, designated under the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (the “UN Decade”). 

Satia Ras highlighted the role of youth in forest governance and climate action, sharing the work of the MYTF. A key moment was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the MYTF and the MMFN, represented by Satia Ras and MMFN Secretary Toni Ventre. This agreement aims to strengthen collaboration on youth engagement, training and regional forest initiatives. 

The Mediterranean at different parallel sessions 

On 29 May, FAO took part in various parallel sessions to showcase priorities specific to the Mediterranean and the importance of promoting cross-regional knowledge exchange.  

The UN Decade in the Mediterranean – During the sessions “The IMFN, the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and local contributions to 2030 goals” and “Post-wildfire restoration and sharing best practices between model forests”, Christophe Besacier provided an overview of key achievements under the UN Decade, highlighting several products developed by the FAO-led Taskforces on Monitoring and Best Practices. He showcased efforts to advance restoration at the global and regional levels, including in the Mediterranean region. He then introduced several key tools such as the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring (FERM), the Principles and Standards for Ecosystem Restoration (SoPs) and the Capacity, Knowledge and Learning Action Plan for the UN Decade (CKLAP). These resources are essential for helping Mediterranean stakeholders apply, monitor and scale up effective restoration efforts. 

The UN Decade’s World Restoration Flagship “Restoring Mediterranean Forests” was showcased as a key effort to support post-wildfire and wider restoration in the region. There is a need to strengthen and share effective practices, boost regional knowledge exchange, and build stronger political support for restoring fire-prone landscapes. 

Youth leadership and inclusion – During a session co-organized with the MYTF, speakers discussed the role of young people in forestry. Moderated by Satia Ras, the session highlighted youth-led projects in model forests and the importance of empowering young people as future leaders. Lazhari Chater, from the MMFN Secretariat, spoke about the recent steps the network has taken to strengthen youth inclusion. 

Christophe Besacier, Satia Ras and Lucia Rivera