PANEL DISCUSSIONS
12 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Topic:
Whole of Society Talks @COP30 | Session 4
Inclusion in Action: Real Money. Real Action. Real Impact.
- Time: 10.00 am - 11.30 am (GMT-3)
- Location: Climate Funds Pavilion (between France, Finland & Sweden), Blue Zone
As the current Chair of Global Environmental Facility-Civil Society Organisation Network, Faizal in this panel discussion laid out a bold vision: at least 10% of GEF-9 resources should go directly to communities as well as enhance the engagement of CSOs across the entire portfolio. He argued that tokenism must give way to tangible participation — through roles in project monitoring, co-design processes, and dedicated funding streams.
He also announced the CSO Network’s intent to track and report inclusion progress throughout GEF-9, creating an accountability mechanism from civil society itself.
More details on this session here: Inclusion in Action at COP30: Real Money. Real Action. Real Impact. – GEF CSO Network
12 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Topic:
Local Actions for Regional Strategies: Implementing ASEAN Frameworks for Peatland Management and Haze Control
- Time: 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm (GMT-3)
- Location: ASEAN Pavilion (B45, Blue Zone)
GEC Director Mr Faizal Parish facilitated the session and shared key elements related to addressing transboundary haze pollution and mobilizing stakeholder support to implement the AIF-HFSLM.
The session highlighted:
- Strong affirmation of ASEAN’s commitment to haze-free and sustainable peatland management.
- Showcasing of national and regional initiatives that demonstrate clear progress for haze prevention and sustainable peatland management.
- Emphasis on the need for technical and financial partnerships to elevate implementation of AIF-HFSLM, APMS, and NAPP.
- Recognised IFAD’s continued support and potential for deeper collaboration with ASEAN countries.
- Recognised the importance of integrated, community-inclusive approaches to peatland protection and fire prevention.
Key next steps include ASEAN’s continued commitment to sustainable peatland management and haze mitigation through the APMS, NAPP, and AIF-HFSLM. AMS. Representatives from ASEAN Member States and partners presented concrete progress and proven approaches, reinforcing the need for coordinated action and increased investment to achieve a haze-free and climate-resilient ASEAN.
The event was co-organised by Directorate of Peatland Ecosystem Protection and Management, The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Indonesia, ASEAN Secretariat, Global Environment Centre (GEC) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
17 November 2025 (Monday)
Topic:
PEATLAND BREAKTHROUGH: From Evidence to Action
- Time: 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm (GMT-3)
- Location: Nature Hub Pavilion
At the panel discussion, hosted at the Nature Pavilion, Mr Faizal highlighted practical solutions such as paludiculture and carbon credits for peatland restoration, emphasizing the importance of enabling policy and finance to unlock sustainable peatland management at scale.
The session reinforced the central message: the science is clear, and action cannot wait. He joined a panel of experts including Dr. Franziska Tanneberger (Greifswald Mire Centre), Ms Cinthia Soto (Wetlands International), Dr. Moritz von Unger (Silvestrum Climate Associates) to discuss the Peatland Breakthrough’s vision for scaling peatland action worldwide and highlighted wise use solutions such as paludiculture that deliver wide-ranging benefits for climate, biodiversity, and water resilience. The discussion also demonstrated how carbon markets can help finance peatland restoration, while acknowledging the challenges that must be addressed to ensure integrity, equity, and long-term impact.
OFFICIAL SIDE EVENT
17 November 2025 (Monday)
Topic:
PEATLAND BREAKTHROUGH: A Global Call to Unlock the Power of Peatlands
- Time: 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm (GMT-3)
- Location: Room 1 (Blue Zone)
This milestone event saw the launch of the Science-Based Framework for Global Peatland Targets and Guiding Principles, and marked the formal opening of the Peatland Breakthrough’s endorsement process, inviting both governments and non-state actors to join the global effort and align their actions with the new targets and principle. Mr Faizal moderated one of two interactive roundtables at this event which encouraged high-level dialogue and concrete collaboration.
Speakers included Mr. Manuel Pulgar Vidal (Champion of the CBD Action Agenda), Mr Coenraad Krijger (Wetlands International), and Dr. Franziska Tanneberger (Greifswald Mire Centre), alongside senior government representatives from Germany (HE Mr Jochen Flasbarth), Indonesia (Prof. Dr. Haruni Krisnawati), Uganda (Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi), Peru (Ms Romina Caminada), Zimbabwe (Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, acting on behalf of Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu) in their capacity as Convention of Wetlands (Ramsar) COP 15 Presidency, and Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in their capacity as UNCCD COP16 Presidency.