11.12.2025

Webinar: Stronger inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in Arctic forest governance 11 Dec 2025

Event

How can Indigenous rights, traditional land use, and respect for Indigenous Knowledge be integrated into biodiversity goals? Join our webinar to hear policy recommendations and case studies from Sápmi as well as North America.

Talvinen metsämaisema Koilliskairassa. Lumikinosten keskellä kulkee puro, jota reunustavat kapeat havupuut. — Koilliskaira wilderness. © Aino Lipsanen

The Indigenous Knowledge and Arctic Forests (IKForest) project (syke.fi) by the Finnish Environment Institute and the Ministry of the Environment examined how Indigenous Peoples contribute to forest protection and restoration in the context of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The project included four case studies from across the Arctic: The Laponia World Heritage Site in Sweden, voluntary forest protection initiatives by the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation and Snowchange Cooperative in Finland, Torngat Mountains National Park in Canada and The Hoonah Native Forest Partnership program in Alaska.

The project’s findings will be presented in a public English-language webinar on December 11, from 14:00 to 15:15 (EET). Authors of the report, Inka Musta and Aslak Holmberg (Luontoa Oy), will share key results and policy recommendations. In addition, representatives from Arctic states, Indigenous organizations, and NGOs will provide commentary.

The event will be held in English and is open to all. Registration is required by December 9 via this link (syke.fi).

Programme:

14:00 Opening words
14:10 Presentation of the project report “Indigenous Knowledge and Arctic Forests"
14:40 Commentaries on the report
15:00 Discussion and audience questions
15:10 Concluding words
15:15 End of the webinar