Technical Session · IV
Part - I
Forests for the Future: A Dialogue on Forest Protection & Restoration
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Date
Sunday, 20th September 2026
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Time
12:30 PM – 02:00 PM
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Venue
Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India

About the Session

It addresses critical challenges such as climate change, deforestation, and land-use shifts by exploring legal frameworks, policy mechanisms, and modern monitoring tools. The session features a detailed presentation on ADB's Model Forest Act initiative to demonstrate modern governance and community- led forest management strategies. It aims to foster cross-sectoral collaboration to establish a shared vision, priority actions, and a measurable roadmap for future forest conservation and governance.

Sub Topics

01

Restoring forest, reviving ecosystems: The Model Forest Act initiative

The objective is to present the key features, guiding principles, and implementation approach of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s Model Forest Act initiative, highlighting its role in modernizing forest governance, promoting sustainable forest management, strengthening community participation, conserving biodiversity, and aligning national legal frameworks with emerging environmental and climate priorities.

02

Protecting forests in a changing world: governance, conservation and climate resilience

The objective is to examine emerging threats to forests, including climate change, biodiversity loss, forest fires, land-use change and unsustainable resource extraction. Discuss effective legal, institutional and policy mechanisms for forest protection. Explore technology, scientific monitoring and satellite-based tools for preventing forest degradation. Promote cooperation among governments, judiciary, local communities, indigenous groups and other stakeholders.

Part - II

Reflections

This session intends to discuss the way forward, set goals, & create a road map for the future. The objective is to develop a shared vision and strategic roadmap for advancing environmental law and governance by identifying priority actions, strengthening regional cooperation, fostering institutional partnerships, and establishing measurable goals for future collaboration and implementation.

Programme

Time
Programme
12:30 pm to 12:35 pm

Arrival of dignitaries & welcome

12:35 pm to 12:45 pm

Opening remarks by Chair

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra

Judge, Supreme Court of India

Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra
Part - I
12:45 pm to 1:00 pm

Presentation on ADB's model forest act initiative

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin

Chief Justice, National High Court of Brazil, Superior Tribunal De Justica (STJ)

Antonio Herman Benjamin
1:00 pm to 1:10 pm

Protecting forests in a changing world: governance, conservation and climate resilience

Hon'ble Ms. Justice Nicola Hope Pain

Judge, Land & Environment Court of NSW

Nicola Hope Pain
1:10 pm to 1:20 pm

Forests as engines of a green economy: financing, livelihoods and sustainable forest-based development

Ms. Mio Oka

Country Director, India Resident Mission, South Asia Development, Asian Development Bank

Mio Oka
Part - II
1:20 pm to 1:30 pm

Setting the goals and creating a road map

Ms. Patricia Kameri-Mbote

Director, UNEP

Patricia Kameri-Mbote
1:30 pm to 1:40 pm

The way forward for the future

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Karen Zarikyan

President, Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia

Karen Zarikyan
1:40 pm to 1:50 pm

Key takeaways of the conference

Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.K. Singh

Judicial Member, National Green Tribunal

Justice S.K. Singh
1:50 pm onwards

Closing remarks by Chair

Conference emblem
Vote of thanks
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM Lunch
Kindly be seated one hour prior to the commencement of Valedictory Session