Ecosystem Restoration

Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative

Background

At its twelfth meeting, in October 2014, in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted Decision XII/19 on ecosystem conservation and restoration. In this decision Parties reaffirmed the need for enhanced support and cooperation to promote ecosystem restoration efforts of developing countries, noting that not enough progress has been made to reduce habitat loss and to promote ecosystem restoration.

Recalling Decision XI/16 on ecosystem restoration and the Hyderabad Call for a Concerted Effort on Ecosystem Restoration, Parties and other Governments, intergovernmental organizations and other relevant organizations were invited to plan, coordinate and implement a set of concerted actions, among other, to develop a coherent framework for ecosystem conservation and restoration.

To this effect, Parties welcomed the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) developed by the Korea Forest Service of the Republic of Korea, in cooperation with the Executive Secretary of the CBD. The Initiative as described in UNEP/CBD/COP/12/INF/19 aims to support ecosystem restoration activities the convention in line with Decision XI/16 and other relevant initiatives, to contribute to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets 5, 14 and 15.

What does FERI do?

FERI directly supports developing country Parties as they operationalize national targets and plans for ecosystem conservation and restoration within the framework of the Strategic Plan and Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

Through a series of regional capacity building workshops, and background information provided, FERI will allow countries to identify best practices and exchange experiences including challenges and opportunities to contribute to planned activities related with forest ecosystem conservation and restoration objectives.

Activities

2014
  • Korea Forest Service participates in conservation/restoration workshops; Korea hosts one
  • October: FERI launched at COP12, welcomed by Parties in Decision XII/19

2015
  • March: FERI MOU signed between KFS and SCBD; FERI meeting of partners
  • May: FERI Side event at UNFF11 with Columbia, Ghana and Brazil
  • August: SER congress, two symposia on FLR including FERI
  • September: Side event on FLR at WFC
  • October 5-9: First FERI capacity building workshop for West Africa in Ghana
  • December: UN agencies co-host restoration event- Global Landscapes Forum

2016
  • March 14-18: Second FERI capacity building workshop for Latin America in Colombia
  • May: FERI side event on progress at CBD SBSTTA 20
  • November: Reporting on progress to CBD COP 13, and global FERI meeting
  • June 27 - July 1: Third FERI capacity building workshop for selected subregions of Asia in Thailand