Faith, Nature and Community: Delivering Biodiversity through the Al Mizan Forest Programme
Hosted by Islamic Help at the Faith Hub, Blue Zone, CBD COP17 (Yerevan, Armenia).
Protecting biodiversity requires partnerships that bring together science, communities and shared values. The Al Mizan Forest Programme is an innovative collaboration between Islamic Help and WWF-Pakistan that demonstrates how faith-inspired values can strengthen community participation in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Inspired by Al Mizan – A Covenant for the Earth, the programme combines scientific conservation with principles of environmental stewardship rooted in Islamic tradition. Working alongside local communities, the initiative supports ecosystem restoration, conservation zoning, habitat connectivity, agroforestry, freshwater conservation and environmental education, while encouraging active participation from young people, volunteers, educators and faith leaders.
This side event will explore how values-informed approaches can help accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by fostering local ownership, strengthening partnerships and inspiring long-term care for nature. Speakers will share practical lessons from the partnership between Islamic Help and WWF-Pakistan and discuss how faith communities can become effective partners in conserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems and supporting resilient communities.
The session offers a practical model that can be adapted by governments, civil society organisations and faith communities seeking inclusive and community-centred approaches to biodiversity conservation.
Speakers
Kamran Shezad, Bahu Trust
Rab Nawaz, WWF Pakistan
Taimur Ashfaq, Youth Educator
Moderator
Emma Cooper, Islamic Help