Ibero-American Model Forest Network (RIABM)

The Ibero-American Model Forest Network (RIABM) links landscapes that are leaders in responsible forestry and natural resource management initiatives. It is a voluntary alliance between Model Forests of Latin America and  Caribbean and national government representatives from each member country. It is the first regional voluntary organization that groups 15 Central American, South American, Caribbean and Spanish countries to manage knowledge and share experiences of Model Forests in Ibero-America.

Model Forests are sustainable development territories that contribute to the realization of global objectives like poverty reduction and fighting climate change. Model Forests members seek to learn better ways for sustainably managing their landscapes, often creating local leadership strategies to coordinate activities related to protected areas, biological corridors, forest management, sustainable agriculture, rural tourism, access to microcredit, organic farming, watershed management and forest certification.

Projects undertaken by Model Forests contribute to community sustainability, climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation and forest restoration, therefore working towards global forest policy objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals. RIABM's 34 Model Forests comprise more than 31 million hectares in 15 countries throughout Ibero-America.

RIABM counts on the support of international organizations such as The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), The United Nations Food And Agricultural Organization (FAO), Canadian NGO CUSO International, The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

RIABM is one of six regional networks within the International Model Forest Network, along with the Mediterranean Network, the African Network, the Asian Network, the Russian and Northern European Network, and the Canadian Network.

The member countries of RIABM are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico and Spain.

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