How can we implement innovative food systems that positively impact the environment whilst also benefiting local communities? Earlier this year, the GLFx Cape Town Speaker Stage at Greenpop’s Reforest Fest posed this question to a series of speakers, inviting them to discuss the topic of landscapes and food systems in a series of talks. In conversation with Nicola Rule (Professional Officer, ICLEI Africa), GLFx Cape Town will present extracts from this series, discussing the complex dynamics of food and equity and the potential for shaping the future of food systems in South Africa.

How can we implement innovative food systems that positively impact the environment whilst also benefiting local communities? Earlier this year, the GLFx Cape Town Speaker Stage at Greenpop’s Reforest Fest posed this question to a series of speakers, inviting them to discuss the topic of landscapes and food systems in a series of talks. In conversation with Nicola Rule (Professional Officer, ICLEI Africa), GLFx Cape Town will present extracts from this series, discussing the complex dynamics of food and equity and the potential for shaping the future of food systems in South Africa.

Right now, 8,000 people from 180 countries, 170 speakers and 68 global and local organizations are rethinking Africa’s food future at GLF Africa 2022. Don’t miss out at the world’s most diverse digital conference on food! There’s still time to register. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on. Featuring 32 plenaries, interactive sessions, launches, virtual tours, dialogues, performances, and a job fair, GLF Africa 2022 explores how Africa can transform the future of its food through healthy landscapes, equitable access to land, and shorter, greener value chains. REGISTER NOW!

The vast majority of our planet lives outside the global industrial food chain – a linear system that brings our food from the farm to our plates. Subsistence and small-scale farmers, ecopreneurs, hunters, pastoralists, fishers, and so many others are often overlooked in the dominant narrative on food systems, but they are a vital part of food sovereignty and climate justice.

In this Youth Daily Show, young ecopreneurs and food experts will share their visions for the future of African agriculture, exploring innovative technologies and traditional methods to challenge the world’s understanding of how food can be produced.
 

The vast majority of our planet lives outside the global industrial food chain – a linear system that brings our food from the farm to our plates. Subsistence and small-scale farmers, ecopreneurs, hunters, pastoralists, fishers, and so many others are often overlooked in the dominant narrative on food systems, but they are a vital part of food sovereignty and climate justice.

In this Youth Daily Show, young ecopreneurs and food experts will share their visions for the future of African agriculture, exploring innovative technologies and traditional methods to challenge the world’s understanding of how food can be produced.
 

Have you always dreamed of learning from the Maasai community, or traveling to the beautiful landscapes of Western and Central Africa? Join us in this immersive virtual tour visiting Kuku Group Ranch, near Mount Kilimanjaro, and Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Have you always dreamed of learning from the Maasai community, or traveling to the beautiful landscapes of Western and Central Africa? Join us in this immersive virtual tour visiting Kuku Group Ranch, near Mount Kilimanjaro, and Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Building on recent discussions at the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), this session will explore how to integrate and monitor communities’ legitimate rights to land and forest resources within and adjacent to landscape restoration sites. The session will draw on experiences from Benin, Kenya, Madagascar and Malawi in pursuing the UNCCD’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target, as a backdrop for exploring how to successfully reconcile ecosystem restoration the livelihood needs and land tenure rights of local communities. With an eye on the upcoming UN Climate Change and Biodiversity conferences, the session is expected to provide practical insights on how to operationalize the UNCCD’s landmark decision on land tenure to support greater synergies in the implementation of the three Rio environmental conventions, for the good of people and planet.

Building on recent discussions at the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), this session will explore how to integrate and monitor communities’ legitimate rights to land and forest resources within and adjacent to landscape restoration sites. The session will draw on experiences from Benin, Kenya, Madagascar and Malawi in pursuing the UNCCD’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) target, as a backdrop for exploring how to successfully reconcile ecosystem restoration the livelihood needs and land tenure rights of local communities. With an eye on the upcoming UN Climate Change and Biodiversity conferences, the session is expected to provide practical insights on how to operationalize the UNCCD’s landmark decision on land tenure to support greater synergies in the implementation of the three Rio environmental conventions, for the good of people and planet.

We are farmers and gardeners, chefs, suppliers, musicians, artists, researchers, and trainers; we are running businesses, CBOs and NGOs. We believe and experience the power of regenerative urban agriculture to transform our food systems in Kenya. We are exploring ways to connect like-minded urbanites and provide opportunities to take action: advocacy, knowledge sharing and education, producer-consumer communications etc. We believe feeling connected to others is key to creating more just and regenerative food systems and societies. We would like to share our ideas and experience with you and hear your feedback and recommendations. We are looking to build relationships and grow our network in every corner of Kenya and elsewhere.

We are farmers and gardeners, chefs, suppliers, musicians, artists, researchers, and trainers; we are running businesses, CBOs and NGOs. We believe and experience the power of regenerative urban agriculture to transform our food systems in Kenya. We are exploring ways to connect like-minded urbanites and provide opportunities to take action: advocacy, knowledge sharing and education, producer-consumer communications etc. We believe feeling connected to others is key to creating more just and regenerative food systems and societies. We would like to share our ideas and experience with you and hear your feedback and recommendations. We are looking to build relationships and grow our network in every corner of Kenya and elsewhere.

GLF Africa offers a unique chance to connect with participants from all corners of Africa and beyond. During this morning networking session, you will have the chance to meet many participants thanks to the speed dating format. Here are some guiding questions to kickstart your discussions: Briefly introduce yourself Discuss your connection and interest to the conference thematics What are some promising trends or a source of inspiration you see in your field of work or in your practice related to building equitable and resident food systems?

Africa’s cultural and political identity cannot exist without its traditional rulers. For centuries, traditional rulers, some known as “chieftaincies,” “Igwes,” or “queen mothers,” have been key in maintaining peace, preserving customary laws & in helping to ensure the legitimacy of post-colonial politicians/leaders. Their influence in maintaining Africa’s cultural anchoring was and is still key. Now, they are working to tackle climate change in a fight to preserve their ways of life. This session will explore the critical role traditional rulers have played in community-led restoration projects in Nkambe Cameroon and will feature the stories of Chiefs from GLFx Nkambe, Cameroon, Chapter.

Africa’s cultural and political identity cannot exist without its traditional rulers. For centuries, traditional rulers, some known as “chieftaincies,” “Igwes,” or “queen mothers,” have been key in maintaining peace, preserving customary laws & in helping to ensure the legitimacy of post-colonial politicians/leaders. Their influence in maintaining Africa’s cultural anchoring was and is still key. Now, they are working to tackle climate change in a fight to preserve their ways of life. This session will explore the critical role traditional rulers have played in community-led restoration projects in Nkambe Cameroon and will feature the stories of Chiefs from GLFx Nkambe, Cameroon, Chapter.

Africa has played a minimal role in causing the climate crisis, yet its people are already paying a heavy price. With droughts, floods, and the war in Ukraine sparking a global food crisis, Africa’s woes are more apparent than ever. At the same time, the continent is taking charge of finding its own solutions. This plenary will bring together key African and global thought leaders to present pathways to solve these interconnected crises. We will hear success stories for achieving an inclusive, resilient and safe food systems transition in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Adaptation Initiative and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative.

Africa has played a minimal role in causing the climate crisis, yet its people are already paying a heavy price. With droughts, floods, and the war in Ukraine sparking a global food crisis, Africa’s woes are more apparent than ever. At the same time, the continent is taking charge of finding its own solutions. This plenary will bring together key African and global thought leaders to present pathways to solve these interconnected crises. We will hear success stories for achieving an inclusive, resilient and safe food systems transition in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Adaptation Initiative and the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative.

Large parts of Africa are facing a monumental food crisis, with some 22 million people are at risk of starvation in the drought-hit Horn of Africa alone. In this plenary, we will examine pathways to build the continent’s food and climate resilience and secure a just transition to a decarbonized economy, particularly nature-based solutions such as the restoration of forests and other ecosystems. We will also explore some key tools to power this transition, including financing for farmers, capacity building, community mobilization, and new narratives around African food sovereignty.

Large parts of Africa are facing a monumental food crisis, with some 22 million people are at risk of starvation in the drought-hit Horn of Africa alone. In this plenary, we will examine pathways to build the continent’s food and climate resilience and secure a just transition to a decarbonized economy, particularly nature-based solutions such as the restoration of forests and other ecosystems. We will also explore some key tools to power this transition, including financing for farmers, capacity building, community mobilization, and new narratives around African food sovereignty.

Taking a round table approach this session will bring together financiers and commercial sector, livestock value chain and rangeland restoration actors to discuss how the linkages between sustainable livestock value chains and rangeland restoration can be strengthened, and investment in rangeland restoration improved. Jointly organized by ILRI, IUCN and GLF’s Sustainable Finance Team the session will combine discussions and hard talking with films and presentations of good practice. It is anticipated that this session will kick-start new partnerships for rangeland restoration through sustainable value chain development.

Taking a round table approach this session will bring together financiers and commercial sector, livestock value chain and rangeland restoration actors to discuss how the linkages between sustainable livestock value chains and rangeland restoration can be strengthened, and investment in rangeland restoration improved. Jointly organized by ILRI, IUCN and GLF’s Sustainable Finance Team the session will combine discussions and hard talking with films and presentations of good practice. It is anticipated that this session will kick-start new partnerships for rangeland restoration through sustainable value chain development.

Land rights are a common topic in academic circles–but what does it mean in practice? In this session, we will examine how inequitable land tenure arrangements affect the daily lives of local people and how different communities have approached the issue. We will also cover examples of existing collaborations that ensure landscape rights for everyone.

Land rights are a common topic in academic circles–but what does it mean in practice? In this session, we will examine how inequitable land tenure arrangements affect the daily lives of local people and how different communities have approached the issue. We will also cover examples of existing collaborations that ensure landscape rights for everyone.

As food, fuel and fertilizer prices surge, the world is rapidly entering into a prolonged hunger crisis that is disproportionately affecting Africa. Trees and forests are a key nature-based solution that can provide inclusive, resilient and safe food systems for all. In this session, we will showcase a selection of solutions to boost the climate adaptation and resilience of farming communities in Africa. These pilots will focus on solutions to overcome adoption barriers for agroecological intensification with trees in different African land use systems. This session is hosted by CIFOR and ICRAF, both CGIAR Centers, which were merged in 2019 to bring together 700 applied researchers working in transdisciplinary teams to deliver solutions for productive and resilient landscapes.

As food, fuel and fertilizer prices surge, the world is rapidly entering into a prolonged hunger crisis that is disproportionately affecting Africa. Trees and forests are a key nature-based solution that can provide inclusive, resilient and safe food systems for all. In this session, we will showcase a selection of solutions to boost the climate adaptation and resilience of farming communities in Africa. These pilots will focus on solutions to overcome adoption barriers for agroecological intensification with trees in different African land use systems. This session is hosted by CIFOR and ICRAF, both CGIAR Centers, which were merged in 2019 to bring together 700 applied researchers working in transdisciplinary teams to deliver solutions for productive and resilient landscapes.

Robert Nasi - The social tipping points needed to achieve a resilient and equitable food future in Africa

Hear from CIFOR’s Director General on how forests and trees protection can provide integrated solutions against the global climate, food and biodiversity crises, as well as CIFOR-ICRAF’s approach to addressing these challenges.

Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet - Women, land and food

Join this talk to learn about the work of the African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests and the much-needed change they hope to achieve. Learn about the progress that has been over the decades for women in forestry and how an expert views the future.

Adrian Leitoro - Youth in Ecosystem Restoration

In this talk, Adrian will discuss his passion for dryland ecosystems and what he is hoping to achieve in his role as the GLF’s Drylands Restoration Steward.

Robert Nasi - The social tipping points needed to achieve a resilient and equitable food future in Africa Hear from CIFOR’s Director General on how forests and trees protection can provide integrated solutions against the multiple crises we are facing. During this talk, CIFOR-ICRAF’s approach to addressing these challenges will be discussed. Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet - Women, land and food Follow this talk to hear about the work of the African Women's Network for Community Management of Forests and the much-needed change they are aiming to bring about. Learn about the progress that has been over the decades for women in forestry and how an expert views the future. Adrian Leitoro - Youth in Ecosystem Restoration Hear from GLF’s Drylands Restoration Steward discuss his interest and connection to dryland ecosystems. Adrian will also share what he hopes to achieve through being a restoration steward.

Forest landscapes and their services are critical to the well-being of smallholder farmers, local populations and Indigenous communities. However, global food systems are under pressure, with climate change further driving land degradation and declining crop yields. This session aims to show the potential of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) for food security and the resilience building of local communities. Collaborating in different African countries, GIZ’s Forests4Future (F4F) and the FAO Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) enhance agroforestry systems and business activities by linking producers and their organizations with processing enterprises, thus professionalizing tree-based value chains. The projects work with farmer and women organizations, which are crucial agents of change as they enable large networks, raise awareness and function as multiplicators of restoration implementation. The session shall draw from practical experiences in FFF’s and F4F’s partner countries, Madagascar and Togo.

Forest landscapes and their services are critical to the well-being of smallholder farmers, local populations and Indigenous communities. However, global food systems are under pressure, with climate change further driving land degradation and declining crop yields. This session aims to show the potential of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) for food security and the resilience building of local communities. Collaborating in different African countries, GIZ’s Forests4Future (F4F) and the FAO Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) enhance agroforestry systems and business activities by linking producers and their organizations with processing enterprises, thus professionalizing tree-based value chains. The projects work with farmer and women organizations, which are crucial agents of change as they enable large networks, raise awareness and function as multiplicators of restoration implementation. The session shall draw from practical experiences in FFF’s and F4F’s partner countries, Madagascar and Togo.

As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration drives opportunities to address restoration from new perspectives, The Global Landscapes Forum, International Union Forest Research Organizations, Wagenging Centre for Development, and Wageningen University and Research, along with numerous partner universities across the African continent, come together to transform how restoration is taught. Through the development of transdisciplinary, practice- and competence-based blended courses and curricula, an opportunity is presented to kick-start the development of Restoration Education as a new professional and educational domain.

As the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration drives opportunities to address restoration from new perspectives, The Global Landscapes Forum, International Union Forest Research Organizations, Wagenging Centre for Development, and Wageningen University and Research, along with numerous partner universities across the African continent, come together to transform how restoration is taught. Through the development of transdisciplinary, practice- and competence-based blended courses and curricula, an opportunity is presented to kick-start the development of Restoration Education as a new professional and educational domain.

Transforming agri-food systems to combat climate change, halt and reverse natural resources degradation and feed a growing population puts land a focus of interest. The pressure on land is growing and comes with a magnitude of implications. The intersectionality of climate change, population dynamics, and external shocks like the pandemic constitute a major challenge. The session will address the potential and challenges of inclusive land governance as a lever to enhance local resilience and maintain a healthy and productive environment. Practical examples from African countries will be presented and discussed to inspire action for sustainable landscapes that “leave no one behind.” Different marginalized population groups like women, refugees, pastoralists and IPLC will be at the center of the discussion.

Transforming agri-food systems to combat climate change, halt and reverse natural resources degradation and feed a growing population puts land a focus of interest. The pressure on land is growing and comes with a magnitude of implications. The intersectionality of climate change, population dynamics, and external shocks like the pandemic constitute a major challenge. The session will address the potential and challenges of inclusive land governance as a lever to enhance local resilience and maintain a healthy and productive environment. Practical examples from African countries will be presented and discussed to inspire action for sustainable landscapes that “leave no one behind.” Different marginalized population groups like women, refugees, pastoralists and IPLC will be at the center of the discussion.

Joshua Omonuk - Voices from pastoralist areas in Uganda
Learn how climate change is affecting pastoralist communities and why their knowledge and voices must be heard to ensure climate justice is delivered.
Fatmata Binta - Cooking traditional nomadic food
This talk will discuss the role of nomadic food in the Fulani community of West Africa and the importance of connecting with traditional cuisines. Chef Fatmata will share stories and transport us to the Fulani culinary world.
Eva Makandi - Youth in ecosystem restoration
The GLF’s 2022 Forest Restoration Steward will discuss her journey in ecosystem restoration and share insights for young people interested in getting involved.
 

Joshua Omonuk - Voices from pastoralist areas in Uganda
Learn how climate change is affecting pastoralist communities and why their knowledge and voices must be heard to ensure climate justice is delivered.
Fatmata Binta - Cooking traditional nomadic food
This talk will discuss the role of nomadic food in the Fulani community of West Africa and the importance of connecting with traditional cuisines. Chef Fatmata will share stories and transport us to the Fulani culinary world.
Eva Makandi - Youth in ecosystem restoration
The GLF’s 2022 Forest Restoration Steward will discuss her journey in ecosystem restoration and share insights for young people interested in getting involved.
 

All too often, the stories we hear about the Africa continent are not told by Africans, leading to misconceptions and negative stereotypes. How can Africa take control of its own narrative? In the words of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: “Stories have been used to dispossess and malign. But stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Join this session to discover new narratives around the peoples, cultures, and landscapes of the African continent, as told by young storytellers from across the continent.

All too often, the stories we hear about the Africa continent are not told by Africans, leading to misconceptions and negative stereotypes. How can Africa take control of its own narrative? In the words of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: “Stories have been used to dispossess and malign. But stories can also be used to empower and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Join this session to discover new narratives around the peoples, cultures, and landscapes of the African continent, as told by young storytellers from across the continent.

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration promotes an inclusive restoration approach and biodiverse ecosystems, while also incrementing human well-being. Yet, implementation on the ground often reveals the conflict between the economic and ecological aspects of restoration. The forest landscape restoration (FLR) approaches and the development of sustainable value chains can only be successful in the long term if they are embedded in an enabling policy environment. Thus, transformative change is needed which allows for the integration of biodiversity’s value in prevailing economic and financial systems. This session aims to explore how environmental policy instruments can trigger this transformative change and hence solve this conflict in ecosystem restoration.

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration promotes an inclusive restoration approach and biodiverse ecosystems, while also incrementing human well-being. Yet, implementation on the ground often reveals the conflict between the economic and ecological aspects of restoration. The forest landscape restoration (FLR) approaches and the development of sustainable value chains can only be successful in the long term if they are embedded in an enabling policy environment. Thus, transformative change is needed which allows for the integration of biodiversity’s value in prevailing economic and financial systems. This session aims to explore how environmental policy instruments can trigger this transformative change and hence solve this conflict in ecosystem restoration.

The session will contribute to GLF Africa's, GLFx Nairobi’s and the International land coalition Africa (ILC Africa) key objective of identifying best practices, blueprints, and successful models for accelerating youth and women leadership in restoration and theme on landscape rights by showcasing success stories of individual to collective women and youth leadership in restoration that can be replicated or scaled from Kenya and beyond sub-Saharan Africa. This includes their leadership in decision-making around the governance of resources (e.g., land and trees), knowledge (including indigenous knowledge), and innovations in restoration implementation.

The session will contribute to GLF Africa's, GLFx Nairobi’s and the International land coalition Africa (ILC Africa) key objective of identifying best practices, blueprints, and successful models for accelerating youth and women leadership in restoration and theme on landscape rights by showcasing success stories of individual to collective women and youth leadership in restoration that can be replicated or scaled from Kenya and beyond sub-Saharan Africa. This includes their leadership in decision-making around the governance of resources (e.g., land and trees), knowledge (including indigenous knowledge), and innovations in restoration implementation.

Elizabeth Mrema - The post-2020 global biodiversity framework in Africa

Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), will provide insights on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and its implications for Africa, as well as what it means to work equitably with Indigenous peoples and local communities and why biodiversity is a cornerstone of resilient food systems.

Chika Ezeanya Esiobu - Why African traditional and indigenous knowledge is key for agricultural development

Elizabeth Mrema - The post-2020 global biodiversity framework in Africa

Elizabeth Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), will provide insights on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and its implications for Africa, as well as what it means to work equitably with Indigenous peoples and local communities and why biodiversity is a cornerstone of resilient food systems.

Chika Ezeanya Esiobu - Why African traditional and indigenous knowledge is key for agricultural development

Africa is losing an alarming 3.9 million hectares of forest ecosystems each year. How can the continent prevent these losses while also providing its population with healthy diets and livelihoods? In this session, we will explore ways to boost financing for sustainable agriculture in Africa, including challenges and opportunities facing African agribusinesses, as well as good practices for impact investing in green commodities value chains.

Africa is losing an alarming 3.9 million hectares of forest ecosystems each year. How can the continent prevent these losses while also providing its population with healthy diets and livelihoods? In this session, we will explore ways to boost financing for sustainable agriculture in Africa, including challenges and opportunities facing African agribusinesses, as well as good practices for impact investing in green commodities value chains.

Achieving resilient, regenerative landscapes to address food and nutrition insecurity requires integrated approaches across sectors and involvement from stakeholders at all levels. Effective, consistent and programmatic knowledge management plays a key role in ensuring these goals are met in a strategic manner. This side event, organized under the general context of the FAO-led GEF-7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes, will bring together executing agencies from four Global Environment Facility (GEF) Impact Programmes to present, compare and discuss how effective knowledge sharing is a catalytic tool for assuring greater results on the ground, even after the lifespan of the project. Concrete, innovative and replicable knowledge sharing approaches and lessons learned will be presented and discussed with country-level testimonials. The aim is to learn and inspire replication allowing for past experiences to harness future goals and ambitions of transformative Impact Programmes.

Achieving resilient, regenerative landscapes to address food and nutrition insecurity requires integrated approaches across sectors and involvement from stakeholders at all levels. Effective, consistent and programmatic knowledge management plays a key role in ensuring these goals are met in a strategic manner. This side event, organized under the general context of the FAO-led GEF-7 Sustainable Forest Management Impact Program on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes, will bring together executing agencies from four Global Environment Facility (GEF) Impact Programmes to present, compare and discuss how effective knowledge sharing is a catalytic tool for assuring greater results on the ground, even after the lifespan of the project. Concrete, innovative and replicable knowledge sharing approaches and lessons learned will be presented and discussed with country-level testimonials. The aim is to learn and inspire replication allowing for past experiences to harness future goals and ambitions of transformative Impact Programmes.

Explore and experience Africa through the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme's work and be part of the launch of a 3D photographic and video exhibition. Walk virtually through and learn how the SWM Programme is working to improve food security, wildlife conservation and sustainable wildlife use. Hear first-hand about the Programme from Dr. Robert Nasi, the Director General of CIFOR/ICRAF, and listen to our guest speaker Brent Stirton, a contributing National Geographic Photographer, share the background story to his images of wild meat in Africa. The event will also feature an SWM Programme country case study on our work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This launchpad will have a dedicated segment for media and speakers to exchange live. Are you a journalist and want to be part of it? Please register as a press member here and let us know your interest in joining us.

Explore and experience Africa through the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme's work and be part of the launch of a 3D photographic and video exhibition. Walk virtually through and learn how the SWM Programme is working to improve food security, wildlife conservation and sustainable wildlife use. Hear first-hand about the Programme from Dr. Robert Nasi, the Director General of CIFOR/ICRAF, and listen to our guest speaker Brent Stirton, a contributing National Geographic Photographer, share the background story to his images of wild meat in Africa. The event will also feature an SWM Programme country case study on our work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This launchpad will have a dedicated segment for media and speakers to exchange live. Are you a journalist and want to be part of it? Please register as a press member here and let us know your interest in joining us.

Join us on a journey across the unique landscapes of the African continent and experience a day in the life of a changemaker. From the green forests of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria, to the hills of Bamunkumbit in Cameroon, to the forests of Meru, Kenya, we will explore how the GLF’s Restoration Stewards and Chapters are taking action on the ground toward sustainable landscapes.

Join us on a journey across the unique landscapes of the African continent and experience a day in the life of a changemaker. From the green forests of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria, to the hills of Bamunkumbit in Cameroon, to the forests of Meru, Kenya, we will explore how the GLF’s Restoration Stewards and Chapters are taking action on the ground toward sustainable landscapes.

Africa is losing an alarming 3.9 million hectares of forest ecosystems each year. This makes it crucial to create new development pathways to conserve and restore ecosystems, build sustainable food systems and create green jobs for the continent’s youth. There is an important role for green commodities in this equation, including sustainable cocoa, coffee, palm oil, corn, rice and wheat.
In November 2021, the GEF-funded Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR) was launched with the aim of transforming the environmental footprint of agriculture. FOLUR consists of a global knowledge hub and 27 country projects targeting production landscapes for eight major commodities, including cocoa, coffee, corn, livestock, palm oil, rice, soy and wheat.
This plenary at GLF Africa will provide an opportunity for representatives of recently launched FOLUR country projects in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest and second-largest exporter of cocoa respectively, to provide insights on their vision for an integrated program working across ministries, sectors and stakeholders. With lessons and perspectives from the cocoa value chain, the session will focus on ways to achieve green and zero-deforestation commodity value chains.

Africa is losing an alarming 3.9 million hectares of forest ecosystems each year. This makes it crucial to create new development pathways to conserve and restore ecosystems, build sustainable food systems and create green jobs for the continent’s youth. There is an important role for green commodities in this equation, including sustainable cocoa, coffee, palm oil, corn, rice and wheat.
In November 2021, the GEF-funded Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR) was launched with the aim of transforming the environmental footprint of agriculture. FOLUR consists of a global knowledge hub and 27 country projects targeting production landscapes for eight major commodities, including cocoa, coffee, corn, livestock, palm oil, rice, soy and wheat.
This plenary at GLF Africa will provide an opportunity for representatives of recently launched FOLUR country projects in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest and second-largest exporter of cocoa respectively, to provide insights on their vision for an integrated program working across ministries, sectors and stakeholders. With lessons and perspectives from the cocoa value chain, the session will focus on ways to achieve green and zero-deforestation commodity value chains.

How can we transform food systems and develop green supply chains across Africa? This closing plenary will introduce the concept of innovative ecosystems, which are economic engines that scale innovations with high potential. They are fueled by collaboration and form support networks or enabling environments to elevate ideas, start-ups, and local organizations to their full potential. By working across sectors and geopolitical boundaries, Africa can combine modern innovation, science, local practices and traditional knowledge to attract the investment needed for a sustainable rural transformation.

How can we transform food systems and develop green supply chains across Africa? This closing plenary will introduce the concept of innovative ecosystems, which are economic engines that scale innovations with high potential. They are fueled by collaboration and form support networks or enabling environments to elevate ideas, start-ups, and local organizations to their full potential. By working across sectors and geopolitical boundaries, Africa can combine modern innovation, science, local practices and traditional knowledge to attract the investment needed for a sustainable rural transformation.

GLF Africa offers a unique chance to connect with participants from all corners of Africa and beyond. We will be hosting thematic networking tables to ensure that different topics are touched on. During the networking at GLF Africa you can expect to find: Thematic tables with GLFx chapters, Thematic table on Indigenous communities and agroecology Expert table with Rewilding Community of Practice. We’ll do our best to support you to learn from others and find valuable new contacts, see you there!

African artists are creating sounds that are sweeping the globe, enticing the world to lend an ear to the continent. How can we tap into this powerful flow of music and art that is the lifeblood of many African cultures to inspire a movement to restore degraded lands? Africans are paying a heavy price for the climate crisis, but local communities and political leaders alike are building resilience through initiatives like AFR100 and many others, as will be showcased at GLF Africa 2022. This evening, we will bring together African creatives across film, music, and art to not only share their work but also foster a dialogue to remind us all to embrace both local traditions and contemporary innovations as we strive toward a resilient and equitable future.

African artists are creating sounds that are sweeping the globe, enticing the world to lend an ear to the continent. How can we tap into this powerful flow of music and art that is the lifeblood of many African cultures to inspire a movement to restore degraded lands? Africans are paying a heavy price for the climate crisis, but local communities and political leaders alike are building resilience through initiatives like AFR100 and many others, as will be showcased at GLF Africa 2022. This evening, we will bring together African creatives across film, music, and art to not only share their work but also foster a dialogue to remind us all to embrace both local traditions and contemporary innovations as we strive toward a resilient and equitable future.