As the world gears up for the 2024 United Nations conferences on climate, biodiversity, and desertification, Africa has emerged as a key player in restoring degraded landscapes, conserving biodiversity, and building sustainable livelihoods. The “GLF Africa 2024 Hybrid Conference: Greening the African Horizon,” held in Nairobi and online by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), brought together thousands of participants from across the globe, including local communities, Indigenous Peoples, youth leaders, scientists, and policymakers. Together, they highlighted Africa\u2019s unique potential to create a resilient and equitable future through its landscapes.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTogether, we have the power to green Africa and beyond \u2013 for securing livelihoods, food security, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. Land and community are the common denominators for achieving these goals,\u201d said \u00c9liane Ubalijoro, CEO of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). \u201cThough the climate crisis presents immense challenges, Africa holds immense potential with its rich local and Indigenous knowledge, youth leaders, brilliant minds, and emerging technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Showcase of African Innovation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the GLF introduced the Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program, a new framework aimed at accelerating sustainable production, restoring ecosystems, and alleviating pressure on forests. This initiative, piloted in countries such as India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and Vietnam, brings experts and landscape actors together to explore integrated landscape management and its impact on smallholder farmers and food value chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah Mboko, National Technical Specialist at FAO Kenya, emphasized the importance of integrating new tools and approaches with existing systems. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to start from zero or work in isolation; we want to strengthen what is already working on the land,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GLF also launched an AI hub, promoting community-driven artificial intelligence solutions. This platform aims to connect landscape actors, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive knowledge sharing. Catherine Nakalembe, Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland, stressed the need for data-driven, context-aware AI models that reflect Africa\u2019s unique landscapes, particularly for small-scale agricultural practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthening Tree Planting Efforts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Restoring forests is a key aspect of Africa\u2019s sustainability efforts, and effective tree planting requires well-developed tree seed and seedling delivery systems. A session hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF tackled the challenges of tree planting, such as limited technical capacity and coordination among stakeholders. Panelists advocated for the development of demand-driven native tree species, community engagement, and broad knowledge-sharing through stakeholder networks like the Transformative Partnership Platform (TPP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth as Africa\u2019s Future<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With 70% of Africa\u2019s population under the age of 35, speakers emphasized the critical role young people must play in shaping the continent\u2019s future. \u201cThe biodiversity and climate crisis requires a whole-of-society approach \u2013 everyone must take action,\u201d said Simangele Msweli, Senior Manager for the Youth Leadership Program at the African Wildlife Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a spoken-word performance, writers and activists Felicity Asiibi Akwa and Taiye Owo declared that Africa is a land of culture, opportunity, and potential. They urged for an inclusive approach to land restoration, ensuring no one is left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deborah Oyugi, Manager at Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (Yilaa), echoed the call for African solutions to African challenges. \u201cThere is a need to decolonize how we do climate justice and land restoration,\u201d she said, emphasizing the importance of including women in decision-making and solution-building processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This landmark conference showcased Africa\u2019s capacity to lead global sustainability efforts, combining traditional knowledge with modern innovation to pave the way for a greener, more resilient future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Showcase of African Innovation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the GLF introduced the Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program, a new framework aimed at accelerating sustainable production, restoring ecosystems, and alleviating pressure on forests. This initiative, piloted in countries such as India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, and Vietnam, brings experts and landscape actors together to explore integrated landscape management and its impact on smallholder farmers and food value chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elijah Mboko, National Technical Specialist at FAO Kenya, emphasized the importance of integrating new tools and approaches with existing systems. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to start from zero or work in isolation; we want to strengthen what is already working on the land,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GLF also launched an AI hub, promoting community-driven artificial intelligence solutions. This platform aims to connect landscape actors, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive knowledge sharing. Catherine Nakalembe, Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland, stressed the need for data-driven, context-aware AI models that reflect Africa\u2019s unique landscapes, particularly for small-scale agricultural practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthening Tree Planting Efforts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Restoring forests is a key aspect of Africa\u2019s sustainability efforts, and effective tree planting requires well-developed tree seed and seedling delivery systems. A session hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF tackled the challenges of tree planting, such as limited technical capacity and coordination among stakeholders. Panelists advocated for the development of demand-driven native tree species, community engagement, and broad knowledge-sharing through stakeholder networks like the Transformative Partnership Platform (TPP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth as Africa\u2019s Future<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With 70% of Africa\u2019s population under the age of 35, speakers emphasized the critical role young people must play in shaping the continent\u2019s future. \u201cThe biodiversity and climate crisis requires a whole-of-society approach \u2013 everyone must take action,\u201d said Simangele Msweli, Senior Manager for the Youth Leadership Program at the African Wildlife Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a spoken-word performance, writers and activists Felicity Asiibi Akwa and Taiye Owo declared that Africa is a land of culture, opportunity, and potential. They urged for an inclusive approach to land restoration, ensuring no one is left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deborah Oyugi, Manager at Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (Yilaa), echoed the call for African solutions to African challenges. \u201cThere is a need to decolonize how we do climate justice and land restoration,\u201d she said, emphasizing the importance of including women in decision-making and solution-building processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This landmark conference showcased Africa\u2019s capacity to lead global sustainability efforts, combining traditional knowledge with modern innovation to pave the way for a greener, more resilient future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

————ends————-<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Carolyne Tomno As the world gears up for the 2024 United Nations conferences on climate, biodiversity, and desertification, Africa has emerged as a key player in restoring degraded landscapes, conserving biodiversity, and building sustainable livelihoods. The “GLF Africa 2024 Hybrid Conference: Greening the African Horizon,” held in Nairobi and online by the Global Landscapes Forum […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1488,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[35],"class_list":["post-1994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","tag-global-landscapes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1994","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1994"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1994\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1995,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1994\/revisions\/1995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1994"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1994"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1994"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}