The 2025 IMFN Global Forum will highlight the link between forest health, climate change, and community development.
From May 26 to May 30, 2025, experts from over 30 countries will gather in Kemptville, Ontario, for the 2025 International Model Forest Network (IMFN) Global Forum, a major event dedicated to discussing forest landscape restoration and its integration with local community needs. Organized by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) and the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA), the forum will provide a platform for delegates to address the environmental and societal benefits of forests. Up to 200 delegates representing over 60 Model Forests are expected to attend.
The 2025 IMFN Global Forum will serve as a hub for forest professionals, policymakers, and local leaders to share knowledge, assess challenges, and plan strategies for sustainable forest management in the coming years. This event is significant as it aligns with the global goals of forest restoration outlined in the Bonn Challenge and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aiming to restore millions of hectares of degraded land.
The 2025 IMFN Global Forum is structured around three main objectives:
- Decision-Making by the IMFN Assembly: Delegates will discuss and decide on critical forest management issues.
- Strengthening Collaboration: The forum will foster cooperation between Model Forests and other global initiatives focused on sustainable land use.
- Raising Global Awareness: The forum aims to increase the visibility of the IMFN and its members’ work in global forest policies, contributing to advancing international goals like those set by the UN and Bonn Challenge.
One of the most anticipated outcomes of the 2025 IMFN Global Forum is the potential for creating new funding mechanisms for forest restoration projects, which could help scale efforts to restore degraded forests worldwide.
The 2025 IMFN Global Forum will offer a full agenda, including regional governance meetings, workshops on climate knowledge consolidation, and field tours to explore local restoration efforts. These activities will provide delegates with hands-on experiences and lessons on landscape governance and sustainable practices.
In addition to these key meetings, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to learn from the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s decades of experience in forest management. This forum will highlight how local and global efforts are intertwined, offering a unique chance to see first-hand how the EOMF balances community needs with forest health.
The Kemptville Campus is home to one of the most respected Model Forests in the world, with its forest areas fully certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This certification guarantees that sustainable forestry practices are being followed, making it a perfect example for the 2025 IMFN Global Forum’s discussions on best practices in forest restoration and conservation.
The 2025 IMFN Global Forum will emphasize how the health of our forests is deeply tied to human well-being. Forests provide vital ecosystem services such as clean water, air, and habitats for biodiversity. They also support local economies, providing jobs in eco-tourism, sustainable timber production, and carbon sequestration efforts.
This gathering will highlight the urgent need to restore degraded forests while ensuring that the communities in or around these areas can benefit from the restoration efforts. Properly managed forests can increase food security, improve water quality, and provide sustainable sources of income for local people.
See also: All the Major Climate Events of 2025
As the world faces the growing threats of climate change and forest degradation, events like the 2025 IMFN Global Forum are crucial for driving forward meaningful restoration efforts. By sharing knowledge, forging partnerships, and setting clear objectives, the forum will be a milestone in the global effort to restore our planet’s forests and ensure that they continue to provide for future generations.
The discussions and decisions made at the 2025 IMFN Global Forum could help shape the trajectory of forest restoration projects worldwide, making it an essential event for anyone interested in sustainable environmental practices and policies.
