AIFM recognized by FAO among the world’s forestry champions

To mark its 80th anniversary, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched a global call for nominations to recognize the World Forestry Champions – exemplary initiatives contributing to sustainable forest management, food security, and the transformation of agrifood systems.

Among the laureates of this global recognition, the International Association for Mediterranean Forests (AIFM) was distinguished for its long-standing commitment to sustainable and participatory management of Mediterranean forests and the promotion of local knowledge, through two flagship projects:

• 🌳 RESTOR’MED FORESTS Morocco and Lebanon – for the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of Mediterranean forests, with the support of Morocco’s Agence Nationale des Eaux et Forêts (ANEF)and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture.

• 🌿 RESCOM – for strengthening the resilience of Mediterranean ecosystems for the benefit of local communities, through the implementation of Nature-based Solutions, under the coordination of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium (CMB), with the support of the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation, and the French Development Agency (AFD).

This recognition highlights AIFM’s ability to bridge science, public policy, and local action in support of integrated Mediterranean forest management.

AIFM took part in the FAO Global Technical Recognition Ceremony, held in Rome on 15 October 2025, during the World Food Forum.

This distinction further strengthens AIFM’s legitimacy as a key Mediterranean actor and opens new perspectives for the development of innovative regional projects, such as those currently carried out within the Interreg Euro-MED (StrategyMedFor, RENFORCE) and Next MED (SIMMER) programmes.

“This recognition from FAO highlights the relevance of our approach: a participatory, science-based forest management serving territories and local communities.”
— The AIFM Team