News Letter IFSA at the FSC General Assembly 2025 in Panama

The International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) proudly delegates
Muhammad Pasha Assalafi from IFSA LC UGM, Indonesia and Jaime Iarin Victorian Ascencio
from IFSA LC Chaupea, Mexico as their delegates to formally participate in the 10th Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC) General Assembly 2025 which was held on the 26th to 31st
October 2025 in Panama.
FSC is one of the leading international non-profit organizations that focuses on
promoting responsible forest management through forest certifications. FSC’s General
Assembly, convened every three years, serves as FSC’s highest decision making platform
where members from all across the world gather to deliberate motions, discuss policies,
and shape the organization's strategic direction for the future. The 2025 Assembly is a
major step for FSC as it addresses key issues including climate resilience, Indigenous rights,
High Conservation Value stewardship, data-driven forest monitoring, and the ongoing
revision of FSC’s Principles & Criteria.
Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC General Director, stated regarding how communications
must be addressed more effectively in the future. “My first takeaway is that we need to
communicate differently. We need to meet people where they are and discuss climate in
terms of what it means for daily lives, and what it means in terms of concrete action”.
In addition, the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Panama, Mr. Juan Carlos
Navarro, gave a key speech at the start of the assembly, setting the tone for the weeks to
come. He emphasized the importance of FSC in ensuring sustainability of forests across the
world. “For me, the Forest Stewardship Council is absolutely irreplaceable, and we need to
make it mandatory globally. We need to do this, of course, with the consensus of every
nation. There can be no forestry that is not sustainable. We are here to come to

agreements. Agreements require maturity, flexibility, and intelligence. The world cannot
wait. And the weight of the world is on our shoulders.”
During the event, IFSA had a prestigious opportunity to present their findings of the
IFSA Certification Education Survey which was disseminated on the side session “FSC Needs
You(th): Education, Research, and Expectations”. This global assessment examined the
presence and depth of forest certification education in forestry curricula worldwide,
highlighting gaps, and expectations towards FSC engagements. The session emphasized
the importance of academic partnerships and strengthened educational pathways to
prepare future professionals for certification-related work.
IFSA also moderated the session “Science in FSC, FSC in Science”, which brought
together experts from research institutions, civil society, and the FSC network to discuss
the role of scientific evidence in improving certification credibility and impact. The
discussion addressed the need for enhanced monitoring frameworks, transparent data
systems, and stronger integration of scientific research into FSC’s standards and policies.
Through its active participation in these key sessions, IFSA demonstrated its
continued commitment to elevating youth perspectives within international forest
governance. The contributions of the IFSA delegation reflect the organization’s dedication
to supporting science-based decision-making, strengthening forest education, and
fostering the next generation of forest leaders.
The FSC General Assembly 2025 concluded with strengthened commitments to
responsible forest stewardship, marked by the adoption of key motions, intensified focus
on climate and biodiversity outcomes, enhanced Indigenous participation, and clearer
pathways for science and data integration within FSC’s system. Across plenaries and side
sessions, members reaffirmed the importance of transparency, equity, and outcome-
oriented standards as FSC enters its next strategic cycle. The Assembly also highlighted the
expanding role of youth, researchers, and global partners in shaping FSC’s future,
ultimately positioning the organization to better address the urgent environmental, social,
and economic challenges facing forests worldwide.