Meet Our Delegates
With 13 delegates from 10 different countries, IFSA is ready to amplify the youth’s perspective on forestry and climate action to the international community at COP 28. Meet our diverse set of representatives: Bright Kusi Appiah (Ghana); Faiha Azka Azzahira (Indonesia); Noor Mauliddina Ayuagrita (Indonesia); Fredy Polo (Peru); Bandana Dhakal (Nepal); Pooja Pokharel (Nepal); Esha Mitra (India); Isabelle Dela Paz (Philippines); Christopher Adjei (Ghana); Christopher Ongom (Uganda); Anna Stemberger (USA); Chenming Wei (China); and Alexa Beaucamp (Germany).
We will bring our expertise on a vast range of topics, including ecotourism; sustainable forest and natural resources management; climate and forestry education; nature-based solutions; agroforestry; urban forestry; and forest policies, and discuss how these areas can be effectively integrated into climate action.
Side Events
IFSA is excited to announce that we are organizing side events and are involved in sessions throughout the 2 weeks of COP 28. These sessions are in collaboration with our partners and other organizations with similar advocacies. Our engagements are as follows:
3 December 2023 (Sunday)
Forest Guardians: Interconnecting Generations for a Climate-Resilient World
Description: This exceptional panel discussion will bring together diverse stakeholders as guardians of forests to showcase the power of intergenerational contributions in achieving a climate-resilient world, from youth to government and field-related organisations in one platform. It will focus on forming strategies in mitigation and adaptation actions, transcending geographical boundaries, drawing participants and speakers from across the world which will provide a global perspective based on experiences from research and practice. It enables the identification of common challenges and opportunities for collective action, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and shared responsibility.
Time: 12:00 – 13:00 (Dubai Time), Nepal Pavillion
Organizer: International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA)
IFSA Representative: Pooja Pokharel (Nepal) and Esha Mitra (India)
Leveraging Food Security: Unleashing the Benefits of Urban Forestry and Horticulture on Food Systems Transformation
Description: This extraordinary panel discussion of “Leveraging Food Security: Unleashing the Benefits of Horticulture and Urban Forestry on Nutrition and Health” will highlight how horticulture and urban forestry management significantly impact lives and the well-being of the people. It will unleash the power of these practices through research-based cases by interconnecting dimensions of forestry and health, all for a sustainable and resilient future. From community gardens to urban tree canopies, these solutions not only provide immediate relief but also lay the foundation for a sustainable and thriving future, where the inseparable links between environmental health, nutrition, and overall well-being are recognized and prioritized.
Time and Place: 9:30 – 10:30 (Dubai Time), Food Systems Pavilion
Organizer: International Forestry Students ’Association (IFSA), International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS)
IFSA Representative: TBA
8 December 2023 (Friday)
Food Youth Leaders Networking Session
Description: Join us for in-person, by-youth, for-youth networking sessions at COP28 that hold space for connecting, resting and recharging. The aim is to give young leaders in climate and nature a chill and youth-friendly space for networking that results in (re)new(ed) relationships, solution building, and solidarity.
Time and Place: 17:00 – 19:00 (Dubai Time), Food For Climate Pavilion
Organizer: Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), Youth Environment Europe (YEE), Youth4Nature (Y4N), International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) YOUNGO, ProVeg Youth Board, Change4Planet
10 December 2023 (Sunday)
Climate Trailblazers: Harnessing the Power of Youth-led Initiatives on Sustainable Land Management and Climate Action
Description: This session provides a platform for dynamic youth organizations to present their backgrounds and share their initiatives that address the urgent challenges of climate change through sustainable land management and climate action.
Time and Place: 11:00 – 12:30 (Dubai Time), Coalition on Rainforest Nations Pavilion
Organizer: International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA)
IFSA Representative: Isabelle Dela Paz (Philippines)
Participating Organizations: Youth4Nature (Y4N), Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), and International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS)
11 December 2023 (Monday)
Bolstering of Youth Climate Action on Global North and Global SouthBolstering of Youth Climate Action on Global North and Global South
Description: This panel discussion hopes to empower and equip the younger generation to become active supporters in overcoming climate change. Facilitate knowledge exchange between youth in the Global North and Global South. Encourage connectedness among youth from diverse backgrounds and bridge gaps in knowledge and experience. Then, encourage participants to apply the insights gained from the panel discussion in their perspectives and to promote their implementation. Our event serves as a platform to unite various stakeholders (Government, Educational Community, Companies, Media, and the general public) and the younger generation to encourage discussion about existing challenges and solutions.
Time and Place: 9:00 – 10:20 (Dubai Time), Indonesian Pavilion
Organizer: IFSA, YOUNGO
IFSA Representative: Noor Mauliddina (Indonesia)
Rooted Resilience: Youth-led Small Table Talks on Global Agroforestry Innovations
Description: This event will showcase innovative agroforestry systems and their crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as the role of youth within these systems.
Time and Place: 14:00 – 14:45 (Dubai Time), Food Systems Pavilion
Organizer: Youth Co-Host of the Food Systems Pavilion
IFSA Representative: TBA
Session Involved
1 December 2023 (Friday)
Forestry Communities: Renewable Energy and the Bio-economy
Description: Half of the dry weight of timber is carbon and therefore forest products in all shapes and forms are the best friends climate mitigation has. To keep 1.5°C alive, we need to use more timber in construction, more forest based fibre in packaging to replace plastics, more sustainably sourced cellulose in a vast range of products from bio fuels to clothing to car parts and even pharmaceuticals. Sustainable supply therefore needs to keep pace with demand. Mills across the globe are adopting renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint further. In Australia, timber biomass is even being used to make solar panels.
Time and Place: 15:30 – 17:00 (Dubai Time), All-China Environment Federation Pavilion
Organizer: Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
IFSA Representative: Noor Mauliddina (Indonesia)
5 December 2023 (Tuesday)
Advancing Sustainable Forest Management: Financing Mechanisms for Carbon and Biodiversity
Description: This event will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss the significance of implementing forest-based solutions to climate change and the critical role of establishing sustainable financial mechanisms to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. Discussions will center on the goal of enhancing forest carbon contributions and generating tangible socio-economic benefits, with a particular focus on the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities by exploring sustainable financing mechanisms to secure the future of our forests.
Time and Place: 5 December, 16:45 – 18:15 (Dubai Time), SE Room 9
Organizer: International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
IFSA Representative: Faiha Azka Azzahira (Indonesia)
7th of December 2023 (Thursday)
World Climate Summit – The Investment COP
Description: World Climate Summit facilitates the exchange of best practices and innovations across vital sectors crucial to decarbonisation efforts in the areas of energy, transport, buildings, industry, finance, and nature. The event is closely linked to this year’s Global Stocktake, emphasising how non-government stakeholders can achieve transition pathways to deliver on climate action. Furthermore, the Summit serves as a platform for front-running pledges, commitments, and action plans aligned with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Date and Place: 7 – 8 December, Conrad Dubai
Organizer: World Climate Foundation
IFSA Representative: Pooja Pokharel (Nepal), Esha Mitra (India), Isabelle Dela Paz (Philippines)
Sustainable Forestry and Forest Industries Reception
Time and Place: 15:00-17:00 (Dubai Time), Shangri-La Dubai
Organizer: International Sustainability Forestry Coalition
IFSA Representative: Isabelle Dela Paz (Philippines), Alexa Beaucamp (Germany), Bandana Dhakal (Nepal), Bright Kusi Appiah (Ghana)
The Royal Institute of British Architects and the American Institute of Architects COP28 Reception
Time and Place: 19:00-22:00 (Dubai Time), Shangri-La Dubai
Organizer: International Sustainability Forestry Coalition
IFSA Representative: Isabelle Dela Paz (Philippines)
8 December 2023 (Friday)
Experiential Climate Education: The Role of Student and Youth-led Organizations
Description: This event which will be hosted in the MTU Pavilion seeks to highlight the role of student and youth-led organizations in championing Experiential climate education as well as informing policies on the same. We also seek to delve into personal experiences on what is currently happening or what people are doing in their respective countries or organisations, challenges, opportunities, and expectations.
Time and Place: 13:00 – 13:50 (Dubai Time), MTU Pavilion, TA1-130
Organizer: TBA
IFSA Representative: Alexa Beaucamp (Germany)
Harmony in Action: Nature-Based Solutions at Scale in Tropical Asia
Time and Place: 9:30-10:30 AM (Dubai Time), GASP Pavilion
IFSA Representative: Isabelle Dela Paz (IFSA)
9 December 2023 (Saturday)
Sensitive afforestation: winning solutions for the climate and communities
Description: Afforestation policy needs to also support communities, to ensure the ongoing health of the forest and the security of carbon captured in the forests/timber into the long term. Afforestation policy needs to cover social, economic, and environmental benefits for the local community. Sustainable forestry is a key tool in governments’ achieving respective nationally determined contributions. This panel will discuss the challenges, opportunities, and success stories of sustainable forest management across the Asia Pacific.
Time and Place: 10:30 AM (Dubai Time), Australian Pavilion
Organizer: Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)
IFSA Representative: Chenming Wei (China)
10 December 2023 (Sunday)
Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems – Food Security within Planetary Boundaries
Description: This event will highlight the importance of integrating sustainable aquatic food systems in the green transition towards sustainable food systems. Sustainable food systems must provide food security and nutrition within the planetary boundaries and ensure the health of both people and the planet.
Time and Place: 14:15 – 15:15 (Dubai Time), Nordic Pavilion
Organizer: Global Action Network Food from the Oceans and Inland Waters for Food Security and Nutrition, Norway, CGIAR, ECBD
IFSA Representative: Christopher Adjei (Ghana)
More sessions to be announced
The list of our engagements is still not finalized—please stay tuned to this page for further details!
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