Enviro News Asia, Rome — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has selected 60 Young Forest Champions for 2026 to spearhead efforts in forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable management using innovative monitoring approaches across six countries.
The new cohort, comprising young leaders aged between 18 and 30, was chosen from more than 1,700 applicants from Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Uganda, and Zambia, reflecting growing youth engagement in addressing forest and climate challenges.
The selected champions represent a diverse group of students, young researchers, Indigenous leaders, and community organizers. Many are already involved in initiatives related to mangrove restoration, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education.
“Young people are not only the future of forestry but are already leading change on the ground,” said Zhimin Wu, Assistant Director-General and Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.
“These 60 Young Forest Champions bring energy, innovation, and local knowledge that are essential for protecting and sustainably managing forests while strengthening climate resilience,” he added.
Through the UK-FAO partnership on forest monitoring, known as AIM4Forests, the selected participants will receive mentorship, technical training, and peer-learning opportunities designed to enhance their impact. Training will focus on forest monitoring, remote sensing, geospatial technologies, and digital data collection.
By integrating advanced technologies with local knowledge, the initiative seeks to promote more effective and inclusive forest management. It also aims to strengthen the role of young people, particularly women, Indigenous Peoples, and rural communities, in decision-making processes related to forest governance.
The Young Forest Champions initiative is linked to the Global Youth Network for Forest Monitoring, launched in October 2025 as a collaborative platform for young people committed to forests, sustainability, and climate action.
The network facilitates knowledge exchange, mentorship, and peer learning among young leaders worldwide, providing opportunities to share experiences, innovative ideas, and resources related to forest monitoring, restoration, and conservation.
Operating primarily through WhatsApp for active engagement and LinkedIn for professional networking, the platform connects young forest advocates across regions and reinforces their collective efforts to protect, restore, and monitor forests for future generations. (*)
