Held in conjunction with the UN climate talks, Forest Day 6 this year saw 800 participants from 87 countries discuss how an integrated landscape approach for resource management has the potential to assist with global challenges such as food security and climate change.

CIFOR Forests News provides a summary of presentations and discussions at the event, including the need for strong social and biodiversity safeguards and private sector engagement in the UN-backed REDD+ scheme.

During the discussion forum, titled: Drivers of deforestation: Exploring regional differences and new patterns, Meine van Noordwijk from the World Agroforestry Centre outlined the difficulties associated with defining forests. He emphasised how the drivers of deforestation are more important than deforestation rates, saying “we need to know the direction of the bus, not just the speed”.

Scientists, researchers, activists, representatives from non-governmental and indigenous people’s organisations and the private sector attended Forest Day 6 which is co-hosted by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) of which the World Agroforestry Centre is a member.

Read the full story: Living Landscapes: Summary of Forest Day 6