In the first half of the term, all of the Heads of Sub-Commissions in the External Department were focused on establishing communication with focal points. Officials have faced a lot of difficulties in this regard, and establishing stable communication with partner organisations and processes is still work in progress. So far, regular communication has been established with EFI, IUFRO, ITTO, RECOFTC, CIFOR/YiL, and Forest Europe, while the rest of the Sub-Commissions are still struggling to establish stable contact with focal points, especially with processes. Additionally, IFSA was able to have a meeting with YOUNGO, the youth constituency of UNFCCC, and discuss future collaboration. 

So far, the External Department has had both individual and group activities. The International Processes Commission jointly worked on creating materials for the TreE Learning Platform module on international processes. The Partners Commission worked on creating introductory videos on partner organisations for the IFSA website. Both projects are yet to be finalised and posted on the website. Heads of Sub-Commissions from both IPC and PAC have prepared detailed plans for events where IFSA is expected to have delegations and active participation.

One major achievement this term is the creation of the Externals Calendar on the IFSA website, where external events are regularly uploaded. In addition to this, External Department Officials regularly submit posts and articles for the IFSA website to promote and share partner opportunities.

• Implementation of the Regional Workshops with support from FAO as a basis to develop the XV World Forestry Congress Youth Declaration. 

• In late 2021 IFSA had its first in-person delegation since 2019 at UNFCCC COP26 as well as COY16. At COP26, IFSA also took part in ITTO’s side event, “Forest Fire Prevention”. After the event, IFSA managed to establish contact with YOUNGO to  discuss possible future collaboration.

• IFSA has been actively involved in GLF activities and events in the previous period. We organised a virtual delegation at GLF Amazonia, where we managed to produce some very interesting outputs. Additionally, IFSA had a virtual and an in-person delegation at GLF Climate in Glasgow, and strengthened our links with GLF even more. 

• In celebration of our in-person presence at COP26 and GLF Climate, IFSA has created the first episode of the Canopy Conversations Season 2 Podcast with invited guests from the attended events. 

• IFSA was also represented in EFI with our presence at the EFI annual conference, where an IFSA representative is invited to attend and vote on key issues.

• IFSA’s proposed Side Events for the WFC Pre-Congress were both accepted. In addition to this, the World Forestry Congress Delegation was assembled, with 18 delegates from 11 different countries!

• Fruitful collaboration with IUFRO continues in this term as well with IFSA representatives being part of the IUFRO Regional Conference and IUFRO World Congress Scientific Committees.

• In collaboration with RECOFTC, IFSA organised a youth session at the CBNE Forum 2021, where we also had a virtual delegation. 

The first half of the term concluded with a successful hybrid External Department meeting in Prague. This meeting witnessed a collection of some amazing ideas for the goals of the next term. The External Department has faced certain challenges in the first half of the term. The next half of the term will be focused on overcoming these challenges and improving the work of the External Department. This includes ensuring better communication with the partners and the collective involvement of External department officials in the activities of the department.