Dendrochronology, the study of tree rings, is one of the least developed scientific fields in Africa. However, it has recently gained momentum. In response, the African Tree Ring Network (ATRN) was launched to promote tree ring research and foster a vibrant network of dendrochronology experts across the continent, while ensuring that this knowledge is effectively transferred to policymakers. ATRN now has members from 32 countries and continues to expand rapidly.

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Workshop Objective

The main objective of this workshop is to facilitate knowledge exchange and deepen our understanding of how African forest ecosystems function in the face of climate change. We will also address emerging research questions and challenges related to forests, forest ecosystems, and associated scientific fields across the continent. By bringing together African and international tree ring scientists, as well as experts in wood anatomy, stable isotopes, artificial intelligence, and ecological modeling, this workshop aims to promote an integrated assessment of forest management, restoration, and global change ecology to help build resilient ecosystems.

Expected Outcomes

1. Take stock of the development of tree ring science on the continent, including methodologies and available facilities;
2. Consolidate the use of tree ring-based data within the scientific community and beyond, particularly in the fields of forestry, agroforestry, climate change, paleoecology, and ecosystem modeling;
3. Identify critical knowledge and capacity gaps related to climate, ecology, and the environment, and propose programs and initiatives that address these needs in the African context;
4. Develop a policy brief to promote the use of tree ring science in African universities and research centers, ensuring the transfer of this knowledge to policymakers.

The workshop will be hosted by CIFOR-ICRAF at the ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 28-29. Limited funding is available from PAGES to support a small number of early-career African scientists. To reach a wider audience, the workshop will be fully hybrid, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions, and presentations from both invited and selected participants.

For those interested in participating in person and presenting their work, please register and submit your abstract. Abstracts should be no more than 400 words, excluding presenter contact details. Applicants seeking travel support should also submit a one-page CV and a list of publications related to tree rings.

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Objectives

• Bring together partners working on the GGW to share lessons, updates and capacities to enhance information and knowledge sharing, collaboration and action.
• Enable a dialogue between regional programs supporting the GGW to improve communication, enhance synergies, and reduce overlap.
• Reflect on land health in the region and the implications in terms of policy, interventions and monitoring priorities.
• Launch the Great Green Wall Regional Support Programme (GGW RSP) and recognize the role of knowledge and innovation.
• Highlight GGW activities in Senegal, discuss the new GGW Initiate Strategy and Implementation plan for Africa and identify investment and enterprise opportunities.

The annual conference on research in tropical and subtropical agriculture, natural resource management and rural development (Tropentag) addresses a broad range of issues and provides a unique opportunity for various stakeholders with interdisciplinary perspectives to come together and inspire each other.

It is organized together by the universities of Berlin, Bonn, Göttingen, Hohenheim, Kassel-Witzenhausen, ZALF e.V., Ghent University, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, BOKU Vienna, and the Council for Tropical and Subtropical Research in co-operation with the GIZ Fund International Agricultural Research (FIA).

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Sustainable agriculture development requires a shift towards climate and agroecological approaches that promote regenerative climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource use, and equitable decision-making.

The Agroecological TRANSITIONS program, supported by the EU, advocates for climate and agroecological transitions by addressing several challenges. The program has three projects: investigating holistic metrics to assess food and agricultural systems and guide policy and investment decisions; exploring public-private incentives and innovative pathways for sustainable practices; and developing digital tool innovations to support farmers and extension practitioners assess performance.

TRANSITIONS’ Inclusive Digital Tools (ATDT) Project looks at how digital resources can boost inclusivity and empower farmers in co-creating sustainable practices. ATDT has evaluated digital resources for technical advice and performance assessment to understand how they support agroecological transition. Regional partners and teams have developed and tested digital tools to support agroecology in Vietnam for rice and in Brazil for livestock. As the ATDT project comes to a close this year, we seek to exchange ideas with a wider group of organizations and stakeholders actively working with digital resources. Through this work and the parallel projects on metrics and public-private incentives, the TRANSITIONS projects aim to improve food security, minimize negative ecological impacts, and foster climate-informed agroecological transitions in LMICs.

Purpose

In this interactive workshop, we will advance understanding of opportunities and challenges to scale climate and agroecological transitions using digital resources. The objective is to share knowledge and exchange ideas among leaders and experts in this area on the following topics:

• Climate and agroecology indicators in digital tools
• Principles for digital inclusion of smallholder farmers
• Digital tool design for co-creation
• Incentives and pathways to scale digital tools for climate & agroecological transitions

Panelists will highlight how digital tools can support farmer agency and negotiate top-down and corporate influence in digital tool design. How digital tools can best serve farmer needs through co-creation of knowledge and avoiding the pitfalls of current digital tool business models driven by non-farmer interests will also be discussed. We will discuss how aligning metrics, policy, incentives, and digital tools can help integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into agroecological practices and technical advice.

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Agenda

Digital tools for an agroecological transition?

Speaker

Lini Wollenberg

University of Vermont & The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT

Co-creating agroecology practices for livestock in Brazil: Solis

Speaker

Violaine Laurens

Regional Manager – Digital Solutions, Solidaridad Latinoamérica

Vertically integrated digital performance assessment for the 1 Must Do 5 Reductions in Vietnam

Trang Vu/Katie Nelson, IRRI

Leveraging digital traceability tools for agroecology transitions

Speaker

Fancisco Hidalgo

Socio-environmental researcher, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT

Q&A

Facilitator

Sandhya Kumar

Agroecology TPP Scientific Coordinator

Metrics for holistic assessment in digital tools

Speaker

Mary Crossland

Livelihood systems associate scientist, CIFOR-ICRAF

Principles for socially inclusive digital tools for smallholder farmers

Speaker

Kyle Dittmer

Research Analyst, Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT

Q&A

Facilitator

Panel: Will this work? What will it take?

Speakers

Oliver Oliveros

Coordinator, Agroecology Coalition

Alesha Miller

Chief Strategy Officer, Digital Green

Facilitator

Sandhya Kumar

Agroecology TPP Scientific Coordinator

Plenary discussion: Q&A, Priorities for a digital agroecology transition

Facilitator

Lini Wollenberg

University of Vermont & The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT

Concluding statements

Speaker

Christophe Larose

European Commission

Background and context

The escalating climate crisis poses an existential threat to Asia, and particularly to Southeast Asia. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events and shifting agricultural patterns are already disrupting economies and livelihoods across the region. The urgency to transition towards a green economy is not merely a matter of environmental responsibility; it is a fundamental economic and social imperative. Without immediate and concerted action, the region risks irreversible damage to its natural resources, infrastructure and human capital, undermining decades of development progress.

Amidst these challenges lies a transformative opportunity. The shift to a green economy can unlock new engines of growth, innovation and resilience. Investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and circular economies can create millions of jobs, spur technological advancement, and enhance competitiveness in the global marketplace. Moreover, green growth can strengthen social safety nets, reduce inequality, and improve public health outcomes. The transition to a green economy is not a burden, but a strategic investment in a prosperous and sustainable future for Asia.

Southeast Asia’s tropical countries face unique vulnerabilities and opportunities in the pursuit of green growth. Their rich biodiversity, abundant renewable resources and growing consumer markets provide fertile ground for green innovation. However, the region also grapples with rapid urbanization, infrastructure deficits and varying levels of development. A nuanced understanding of these complexities is essential for designing effective policies and investments. This session will facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration and the development of tailored solutions that address the region’s specific needs and aspirations.

Objectives

1. Promote land-based sector collaboration between national and subnational governments in tropical areas heavily impacted by climate change;
2. Share lessons learned from Indonesia and Viet Nam on inclusive and integrated development of green economic growth plans;
3. Demonstrate alternatives to single commodity sustainability standards through jurisdictional sustainability as part of a common but differentiated responsibility. 

Contact person: Tikah Atikah, t.atikah@cifor-icraf.org.

Agenda

An introduction: Why green growth planning initiatives are needed

Speaker

Sonya Dewi

Director of Asia, CIFOR-ICRAF

Lessons learned from green growth planning and implementation in Indonesia

Speaker

Andree Ekadinata

ICRAF Indonesia Program Director, CIFOR-ICRAF

Towards sustainable oil palm: From green growth strategies to actions

Speaker

Regina Ariyanti

Head of Regional Planning Agency South Sumatera Selatan Province

Green economic growth in Lam Dong Province, Viet Nam

Speaker

Do Trong Hoan

Senior Scientist, CIFOR-ICRAF Viet Nam

Sustainability report: Towards jurisdictional approaches

Speaker

Jarot Indarto

Director for Food and Agriculture, Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas)

Discussion (Q&A)

Session wrap up

In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Great Green Wall countries, women provide the essential labour force and are central to food systems. Women, including rural dwellers, play an important role in agro-sylvo-pastoral production, thus sustaining livelihoods and socioeconomic development in the region. Despite the adverse effects of climate change, and the gendered challenges they encounter in securing access to and control over productive resources, public leadership and assets, women still operate in various fields related to land restoration, agroforestry value chain entrepreneurship, climate activism and green business. They represent the building block of development programmes such as the Great Green Wall (GGW) Initiative being implemented in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. Recognizing their huge potential, the Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PA/GGW) has launched the Women’s Green Platform to further harness women’s contributions to the initiative. National agencies for the GGW are also setting up coalitions to improve civil society organizations’ participation. However, challenges remain in the operationalization of these platforms, and in ensuring effective participation of other women’s and youth organizations in the GGW Initiative. 

The objective of the webinar is to highlight the critical role of women in the environment sector, and discuss how their potential can be unlocked and mobilized for the realization of the GGW Initiative. 

The webinar is part of a series of virtual engagements within the framework of the Knowledge for Great Green Wall Action (K4GGWA) programme.

The K4GGWA programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It aims to enable sustainable land management and livelihoods in support of the Great Green Wall Initiative and to accelerate progress towards its objectives.

The webinar will showcase impactful women’s success stories in land restoration, activism and green businesses through keynotes, videos and a high-level panel discussion. Beyond networking and cross-learning, the webinar is expected to raise the profile and concerns of women in the GGW, and influence the African Union, GGW officials, decision makers, donors and development practitioners towards better collaboration in, financing of, and support for women-led initiatives, particularly those involving rural women.

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Agenda

Session 1: Setting the scene

Introduction to the webinar: Rationale and key objectives

Poll 1

Session 2: The critical role of women in land restoration in the GGW

Brief introductory PowerPoint presentation based on a literature review and GGW documents

Session 3: Keynote speech: Women’s leadership voices

What is needed to enhance the contribution of women in addressing environmental challenges and climate change, including in the GGW?

Speakers

Kessen Fatoumata Tall

Land Manager, Policy Advocate, and Co-Writer of the Award Winning Movie “Timbuktu” Mauritania

Keïta Aïda M’Bo

President of ONG ENERGIA Mali – Gender and Sustainable Energy; Consultant for the Women Green Platform, Mali

Showcasing women’s success stories across the GGW countries

• in land restoration
• agroforestry production and product value chain development/businesses
• campaigning, awareness raising and advocacy including in climate action, adaptation and mitigation (experiences participating in COPs and global events, and in membership of the Women’s Green Platform, etc.)

Speakers

Sawadogo Martine

Deputy General Director, BIOPROTECT, Burkina Faso

Emem Umoh

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Women in Nature Conservation Organization (WINCO), Nigeria

Successful Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA) in ecosystem restoration in Northern Ghana

Speaker

Gloria Adeyiga

CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG)/Bangor University

Session 4: Dialogue between women leaders and the high-level panel to discuss ways forward

High-level panel discussion

Panellists:

• M. Gottmann Niclas, Directorates-General International Partnerships (DG-INTPA), European Commission
• Thiam Sekhoudia, Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall (PAGGW)
• Reem Ahmed, Sudan National GGW Agency
• Nathalie Palogo/Ouédraogo, NGO Tree Aid Burkina Faso
• African Union
• Others (TBC)

Speakers

Wafa Sirelkhatim Mahmoud

NGO Zena for development, Sudan

Hadizatou Hamidou

President of Jupem-Aimane national NGO, Niger

Moderator

Rokiatou Traoré

Founder and Executive Manager of Herou Alliance Moringa

Session 5: Closing

Poll 2

Closing remarks

Background

Achieving carbon neutrality is a goal that demands global cooperation and collective effort. Mangrove forests, a vital component of blue carbon ecosystems, are renowned for their exceptional carbon sequestration capabilities, which are 3-5 times greater than those of temperate forests. The Indo-West Pacific region including East Asia is where the most diverse mangroves grow naturally, and its distribution area is gradually expanding and migrating with climate change. Elsewhere on the Korean Peninsula, is located in the northernmost subtropical climate area of East Asia and impacted by the Kuroshio Current in the Western Pacific Ocean, the distribution of subtropical plants has been consistently observed. Currently, two species of semi-mangrove, Hibiscus hamabo and Paliurus ramosissimus, are already thriving habitats in coastal areas, with their distribution and range expanding incrementally. A recent predictive study was conducted to demonstrate the possible expansion of this distribution of subtropical plants in East Asia, as well as the merits of propagating non-native mangroves in Korea as a climate change solution. If deemed successful, an opportunity would be opened for sharing these solutions with other stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific who may want to adopt their own local implementations of similar solutions as part of a wider regional climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy. Although there are no mangrove forests in Korea, several mangrove restoration projects are underway through Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities in select countries in Asia, and Korea Forest Service is expanding international forest cooperation to respond to climate change and achieve carbon neutrality.

Our current project focuses on evaluating the potential for success of propagating non-native mangrove species in order to enhance carbon absorption in coastal areas. We are aiming to build an interdisciplinary research foundation for mangrove forestry by encouraging increased between international and local organizations. Below is a summary of our research goals and plan:

Research goals

1. Evaluate the possibility of introducing mangroves and their location-specific characteristics.
2. Develop propagation techniques and build a foundation for major mangroves.
3. Assess mangroves’ carbon-uptake capabilities and work towards developing a standard valuation method of their net environmental contributions.

In addition to our ongoing research activities, we are excited to organize a practical workshop in Korea that bring together experts, researchers, and stakeholders involved in mangrove restoration. This workshop will specifically focus on new projects related to restoration and carbon dynamics within the realm of natural science.

Objectives of the workshop

• Knowledge sharing: Present findings from our current research and learn from international experience, emphasizing restoration techniques and carbon dynamics.
• Collaborative network: Establish a robust network for future research collaboration and project implementation, focusing on restoration and carbon dynamics.
• New research brainstorming: Facilitate brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas and practical training on mangrove restoration and management techniques.
• Conduct hands-on training: Provide hands-on training sessions to local practitioners and researchers on the latest ecological data analysis techniques. 
• Joint summary literature: A written resulting from these collaborations, combining both natural- and social-science disciplines that provides possible next steps for public policy development around sustainable mangrove ecosystem management.

Expected outputs

• An international research network: Establish a knowledge-exchange and collaboration for carbon dynamics and restoration research, specifically focusing on mangrove forest ecosystems and their interplay with biodiversity.
• Share insights and collaborative research opportunities: By bringing together diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers and practitioners, the event creates opportunities for building partnerships, initiating joint projects and fostering ongoing collaboration.
• Addressing social issues and solutions: The workshop serves as a platform to address social issues related to blue carbon. Discussions and presentations will focus on identifying challenges, sharing innovative solutions and exploring policy measures that promote the sustainable management and conservation of blue carbon ecosystems.    
• A joint scientific paper: As a post-workshop long-term goal, engage participants in collecting contributions for a scientific paper that combines the knowledge and expertise of their respective communities on the topic of sustainable mangrove ecosystem management. This article will reflect an interdisciplinary approach of the combined natural and social sciences to offer both practical and relevant recommendations to the policy community.

Hosted and organized by

Supported by

In parallel with socio-economic development, provinces within the Mekong Delta were the first ones in Vietnam to sign commitments with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector, developing an action roadmap to realize the emission reduction commitments mentioned in the National Voluntary Commitment. However, to achieve the goal of reducing emissions and fulfilling the mission of ensuring food security for the whole country, the Mekong Delta is facing many difficulties: population pressure and climate change effects are increasing, the requirements of the market are becoming more and more demanding, and fluctuations in product prices are affecting people’s lives. Further, there is a lack of synchronization in policy mechanisms and inter-sectoral coordination to reduce emissions in the entire product supply chain; at present there is a focus on only single agricultural industries. In addition, the lack of clarity on the definition of a low-emission food system as well as limited databases and scientific evidence on solutions for low-emission food systems in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta have led to difficulties for policymakers, and stakeholders in the effective implementation of policies and operations. At the same time, Vietnam recognizes there is a need to ensure food security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Mekong Delta region, not only as a national policy, but also as Vietnam’s contribution to stabilizing food security and politics globally.

Agenda

Delegate registration

Opening remarks

NLU Leadership

What is the low-emission food system? Current situation, opportunities and challenges for Vietnam

Speaker

Pham Thu Thuy

CIFOR-ICRAF; Environment Institute – University of Adelaide

Current situation and orientation for development of a low-emission food system in the Mekong Delta

Speakers

Phan Tai Huan

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Kha Chan Tuyen

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Low-emission rice production system – lessons learned and future orientation

Speaker

Ong Quoc Cuong

Senior Associate Scientist – Climate Change, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Coffee break

Exchanges between journalists and experts

Moderator

Kha Chan Tuyen

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Closing

NLU

The media can play a significant role in shaping public opinion on environmental policy and can influence the process of policy formulation and implementation in areas such as the blue carbon market. However, journalists in developing countries such as Vietnam often face difficulties in reporting about the high-integrity blue carbon market due to language barriers and lack of access to trusted information.

With the support of UBS, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), in close collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, the University of Adelaide and GAIN+ are running a project to improve the quality and quantity of reporting on the high-integrity blue carbon market in Vietnam. Through an in-person workshop for Vietnamese journalists, we hope to strengthen the capacity of local reporters and media outlets to produce and disseminate evidenced-based analysis and information on this topic.

Agenda

Delegate registration

Welcome speech

NLU Leadership

Update on the current situation and development trend of the carbon market/forest carbon in the world

Speaker

Pham Thu Thuy

CIFOR-ICRAF; Environment Institute – University of Adelaide

Basic concepts of the forest carbon market, carbon from coastal ecosystems, policy updates on the forest carbon market in Vietnam, opportunities and challenges

Speaker

Vu Tan Phuong

Vietnam Forest Certification Office/Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Vietnam

Coffee break

Q&A with experts

Welcome speech

NLU Leadership

Advantages, difficulties and lessons learned when reporting on the forest carbon market in general and carbon from coastal ecosystems in particular

Speakers

Pham Thu Thuy

CIFOR-ICRAF; Environment Institute – University of Adelaide

Nguyen Tuan Viet

GAIN+

The status of mangrove ecosystems and blue carbon in the Mekong Delta

Speaker

Vien Ngoc Nam

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Coffee break

Discussion, Q&A

Conclude

Speaker

Tang Thi Kim Hong

Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta play an important role in adapting to and mitigating climate change, improving socio-economic development and ensuring livelihoods and well-being for coastal communities. However, in the context of population growth, climate change is taking place more and more rapidly. Thus, because of changes in domestic and foreign markets, in the needs and tastes of users regarding products related to mangroves, and in the processes of economic transition, social development and land resource management, mangrove forests are under great pressure. In order to build a low-emission economy that both ensures livelihoods for coastal communities and meets environmental goals, it is necessary to undertake a lot of analysis and evaluation around policies, techniques, finance and society with the participation of the people. Scientific information on the development and evaluation of the effectiveness of multi-sectoral economic development models related to mangroves plays an important role in the process of formulating and developing appropriate policies, programmes and projects, but they are few in number, scattered and not comprehensive.

In order to address this knowledge gap, University of Adelaide, CIFOR-ICRAF and Nong Lam University co-organise a national workshop which brings policy makers and practitioners to discuss about the opportunities and challenges for sustainable mangrove-based businesses in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

Agenda

Delegate registration

Welcome and opening remarks

NLU Leadership

Opening remarks

Australian Embassy and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Vietnam

Vietnam’s current status, policies and priorities on climate change and roadmap for building economic development models for mangroves in the Mekong Delta

Representative of the Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Mangrove changes and future projections – and knowledge gaps that need to be studied

Speakers

Vien Ngoc Nam

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Vo Quoc Tuan

Associate Professor, Can Tho University

Assessing mangrove-based economic development and livelihood models in the Mekong Delta – and issues that need to be studied

Speakers

Nguyen Phu Hoa

Associate Professor, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Nguyen Van Trai

Lecturer, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Climate change adaptation roadmap: a collaborative approach to building strategic solutions to strengthen resilience to climate change

Speaker

Seona Meharg

Integration scientist, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Coffee break

Q&A and roundtable discussion

Moderators

Tang Thi Kim Hong

Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, Nong Lam University (NLU)

Pham Thu Thuy

CIFOR-ICRAF; Environment Institute – University of Adelaide

Conclusion

NLU

Lunch