Current participants (SC94)

Kyrgyzstan	Somalia	Argentina	Sri Lanka	Indonesia	Nepal
Ethiopia	Colombia	The Gambia	Pakistan	Kenya	Tanzania
Nigeria	Ghana	India	Bangladesh	Namibia	Armenia
Brazil x2	Thailand

94th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUKN International Short Course on Restoring the Green: Sustainable Principles and Practices in Forest Restoration

Duration: 16 August – 20 September 2026

Participants and Countries Represented: 

Mr Sarykul Alchynbaev 
Country: Kyrgyzstan 
Employing Institution: Environmental Public Foundation TOLESFOR Manas, Jalalabad Oblast 
Current Position: Executive Director 
Short description of current position: I lead the organization’s strategic mission to conserve the walnut forests and biodiversity of the Western Tian Shan region in Kyrgyzstan. My role involves high-level project management, fundraising, and representing the foundation in international dialogues. 
Academic Background: Educational Management (M.Sc.) 
 

Ms Khadra Hassan Ali
Country: Somalia 
Employing Institution: Somaliland Road Development Agency Pepsi, Hargeisa 
Current Position: Head of Development and Management 
Short description of current position: As Head of Development and Management at Somaliland Road Development Agency, I’m responsible for making sure that projects are environmentally sustainable, the infrastructure is climate resilient and for building staff capacity through training and professional development. 
Academic Background: Disaster Risk Management and Food Systems Resilience (M.Sc.) 

 

Ms Alejandra Noelia Altamirano 
Country: Argentina 
Employing Institution: Asociación Educacionista La Fraternidad 
Current Position: Agricultural Engineer 
Short description of current position: Responsible for the multiple modality native forest conservation  and sustainable management plan. 
Academic Background: Environment (M.Sc.) 

Ms Sukhitha Meththayana Ranasinghe Denipalle Arachchillage 
Country: Sri Lanka 
Employing Institution: Urban Development Authority Sri Lanka, Urban Development Authority Battaramulla 
Current Position: Town Planner and Assistant Director (Town Planning) 
Short description of current position: I serve as Assistant Director (Town Planning) at the UDA, contributing to statutory plans and zoning regulations. I integrate ecosystem protection, green infrastructure, and climate adaptation into planning, using GIS- based analysis to support resilient and sustainable urban development. 
Academic Background: Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis (M.Sc.) 
 

Mr Ahmad Fajarusshidiq 
Country: Indonesia 
Employing Institution: Study Centre for Social, Economy and Culture Simpang Baru, Kec. Tampan, Kota Pekanbaru, Riau 
Current Position: Strategic Planning Specialist – Policy and Multi-Stakeholder Coordination 
Short description of current position: Supports strategic planning, policy development and multi-stakeholder coordination on rural development, land use and community livelihoods in Riau Province. Key responsibilities include mapping environmental and socio-economic issues, facilitating consultations with government and community actors, and integrating peatland restoration, climate resilience and sustainability priorities into regional plans and programms. 
Academic Background: Plant Science (M.Sc.) 
 

Ms Anupa Ghimire 
Country: Nepal 
Employing Institution: Division Forest Office, Kathmandu, Hattisar Kathmandu 
Current position: Forest Officer 
Short description of current position: Coordinate and consult with the Divisional Forest Officer on the approved annual program and formulate an annual program by incorporating the annual plan of the Forest Office into the forest-related plans requested from the local level and submit it to the concerned body. 
Academic Background: Forestry (B.Sc.) 

Mr Yemane Werede Hailu
Country: Ethiopia 
Employing Institution: Ministry of Industry Addis Ababa 
Current Position: Head, Capacity Building and Coordination Department 
Short description of current position: Leads capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and coordination initiatives at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Industry. Key responsibilities include strengthening institutional and technological capacities, coordinating government, development and industry stakeholders, and aligning green manufacturing 
and environmental restoration priorities with national industrial- 
development policies and strategies. 
Academic Background: Biotechnology (M.Sc.) 

Ms Jenny Julianna Jimenez Velandia 
Country: Colombia 
Employing Institution: E3 Ecología Economía y Ética Bogota 
Current Position: Consultant – Land Coalition / E3 Asesorías (Forest and Land Restoration Advisor) 
Short description of current position: Independent consultant supporting sub-national government in the analysis of forest degradation drivers, land-use governance, and forest restoration planning, contributing to monitoring frameworks, stakeholder coordination, and evidence-based decision-making. 
Academic Background: Environmental Sciences / Natural Resources Management and Development (M.Sc.) 

Mr Ebrima Jonga 
Country: Gambia 
Employing Institution: Department of Parks and Wildlife Management (DPWM) Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Banjul 
Current Position: Wildlife Conservation Officer 
Short description of current position: Wildlife Ranger involved in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, habitat restoration, ecological monitoring, and community engagement across protected areas in The Gambia, contributing to climate resilience and sustainable natural resource management. 
Academic Background: Public Administration (B.Sc.) 

Mr Muhammad Awais Khan 
Country: Pakistan 
Employing Institution: Wildlife Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Office of Chief Conservator Wildlife, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 
Current Position:  Ranger / Sub-divisional Forest Officer Wildlife 
Short description of current position: My basic responsibilities include: management of protected areas, developing and implementation of conservation strategies, maintenance and restoration of natural habitat, monitoring of forest sites ensuring protection and conservation of forest and wildlife. 
Academic background: Forestry and Wildlife Management (M.Sc.) 

Mr Isaac Mainye Mariera 
Country: Kenya 
Employing Institution: County Government of Nyamira Nyamira 
Current Position: Director Environment and Natural Resources 
Short description of current position: Leads the strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation of environmental management, Climate action and sustainable. Provides leadership in promoting green transition initiatives, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and environmental compliance 
Academic background: Biology Natural Resources, Ecology, Management and Conservation (M.Sc.) 

Mr Peter Ernest Mkilindi 
Country: Tanzania 
Employing Institution: Southern Tanzania Elephant Program Iringa 
Current Position: Protection Coordinator 
Short description of current position: Coordinating and implementing forest protection projects with protected area stakeholders. Key responsibilities include supporting training and utilizing novel conservation technologies, and strengthening initiatives for communities in conservation and environmental management. 
Academic background: Sustainability and Environmental Policy (M.Sc.) 

Mr Kingsley Omobhude 
Country: Nigeria 
Employing Institution: Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Abuja 
Current Position: Senior Hydrologist 
Short description of current position: A Senior Hydrologist plans and leads hydrological studies, manages water  resource projects, analyzes climate and watershed data, advises on sustainable water use, supports policy decisions, and coordinates teams and stakeholders to improve water security and resilience. 
Academic background: Civil and Environmental Engineering (B.Sc.) 

Ms Esi Boatemaa Quansah 
Country: Ghana 
Employing Institution: Department of Food and Agriculture Kumasi, Ashanti Region 
Current Position: Regional Crops Officer / Senior Agricultural Officer 
Short description of current position: A senior agricultural and crops officer, in charge of providing technical expertise for crop production and development, climate smart agriculture, farm demonstrations on agro-forestry in Ashanti Region. 
Academic background: Soil Science (M.Sc.) 

Ms Basanti Sarangi 
Country: India 
Employing Institution: Orissa State Volunteers and Social Workers Association (OSVSWA) Bhubaneswar, Orissa 
Current Position: Program Manager (Sustainable Development and Research) 
Short description of current position: Leads the planning and delivery of multi-district agricultural and rural 
development programmes in Odisha. Key responsibilities include coordinating government, research and community stakeholders; supervising field implementation and adaptation trials; quality ensurance, monitoring and documentation; and supporting the uptake of climate- 
resilient, resource-efficient practices 
Academic background: Rural Development (M.Sc.) 

Mr Nahin Mahfuz Seam 
Country: Bangladesh 
Employing Institution: BRAC BRAC Centre, Dhaka 
Current Position: Deputy Manager, Environmental Sustainability 
Short description of current position: Deputy Manager, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change Programme at BRAC. I work on integrating environmental safeguards across climate change adaptation, mitigation, and forest restoration initiatives, supporting project design and planning through implementation and monitoring. 
Academic background: Development Studies (M.Sc.) 

Ms Justina Penoshili Shilulu 
Country: Namibia 
Employing Institution: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Ombalantu 
Current Position: Senior Forester 
Short description of current position:  A Senior Forester is responsible for the management, protection, and sustainable use of forest resources. The role includes planning and implementing forestry programmes, supporting community forestry initiatives, preventing and controlling veld fires, enforcing forestry laws 
Academic background: Integrated Environmental Science (B.Sc.) 

Ms Arpine Sukiasyan 
Country: Armenia 
Employing Institution: Public Awareness and Monitoring Center Yerevan 
Current Position: Environmental Expert (Climate, Water, Energy) 
Short description of current position:  I am an environmental expert at Public Awareness and Monitoring Center NGO, leading projects on climate change, sustainable development and sectoral initiatives in water, energy, and agriculture. I engage in international trainings and conferences promoting green and restorative practices. 
Academic background: English and German Languages (Others) 

Ms Amanda Roberta Vergani Pettenazzi 
Country: Brazil 
Employing Institution: São Paulo State Prosecutor's Office Bauru, São Paulo 
Current Position: Technical Scientific Analyst 
Short description of current position:  Responsible for technical opinions and reports to support institutional  action on environmental protection, climate change, prevention and accountability for environmental damage, and monitoring restoration and compliance measures. 
Academic background: Genetics and Improvement of Plants; Specialization Geoprocessing (M.Sc.) 

Ms Natali Vilas Boas Silveira 
Country: Brazil 
Employing Institution: IMAFLORA - Instituto de Manejo e Certificação Florestal e Agrícola Piracicaba, São Paulo 
Current Position: Senior Coordinator of Forestry and Restoration Projects 
Short description of current position:  Senior Coordinator for Forestry and Restoration leading nature-positive restoration and ARR initiatives in Brazil. Lead due diligence and safeguards for carbon projects under IFC PS and CCB, coordinate multi-stakeholder implementation, and deliver high-integrity restoration outcomes. 
Academic background: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development (M.Sc.) 

Ms Kullarat Wisoottanawit 
Country: Thailand 
Employing Institution: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation – DNP Chatuchak, Bangkok 
Current Position: Forestry Officer, Professional Level 
Short description of current position:  I am a forestry professional officer based at the regional headquarters in Chiang Mai, responsible for coordinating tourism, recreation, and conservation management for 15 national parks under our jurisdiction in line with the National Park Act B.E. 2019 
Academic background: Global Environment Policy / Conservation Science (M.Sc.)