The digital forum Transforming agrifood systems with forests takes place online on 29 September 2022 with the aim of promoting best practices in agroforestry and the restoration of agrosilvopastoral lands, as well as the adoption of innovative approaches and the latest technologies, platforms, data, and tools that support integrated landscape planning and informed decision-making.

The Digital Forum is organized back-to-back to the 26th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO26), and the 8th World Forest Week. It will provide space for the FAO partners and members to discuss topics related to forestry and agriculture linkages and food security.

Transforming the global food system so that agriculture and forests both grow

FAO’s new paper, Halting deforestation from agricultural value chains: the role of governments, assesses the progress made and outlines what still needs to be done. Under this framework, speakers answer the question of how can we produce more food without turning forests into fields and present the efforts and challenges in achieving sustainable food systems that contribute to fighting climate change, maintaining biodiversity, and boosting the global economy:

• H. Chana, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Tanzania offers regional perspectives on the role of forestry in sustainable and resilient agrifood systems with a focus on drylands and grazing with trees: “Our aim in Tanzania has been to shift towards more sustainable and community-led forms of forest management, thus creating a real sense of ownership between the forest and the people who live there, which is crucial to their long-term well-being.”
• Tiina Vähänen, Deputy Director of the FAO Forestry Division, shares her vision of forestry: “No matter the crisis we face, we must consider our forests and our other natural resources as part of the solution in transforming our agrifood systems to become more sustainable.”
• Ainsley A. Henry, CEO & Conservator of Forests Forestry Department Jamaica, shared his vision on climate change: “We must be agile to adapt to these changes as they occur and continue to take the necessary steps to reverse the crises. This future is possible. It is possible if we act now and if we act together.”

Download FAO’s flagship publication The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2022