Youth Assembly capacity development session: Strengthening youth roles in Integrated Land Use Planning and emerging issues

The World Food Forum (WFF)'s Youth Assembly, in collaboration with the Global Youth Caucus on Land and Desertification (UNCCD Youth Caucus), Save Soil and the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS), hosted a youth-led capacity development session on strengthening youth roles in Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP) & emerging issues.

Held virtually on 1 August 2025 , the event gathered over 150 youth leaders, young farmers, students and experts to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of ILUP  within agrifood systems, highlighting its role in promoting sustainable, inclusive and evidence-based land use decisions that address emerging challenges such as climate change, land degradation and tenure rights.

Bochola Sara Arero, a member of the WFF Youth Policy Board (YPB), opened the session and guided participants through an opening Zoom poll designed to test prior knowledge and spark curiosity about Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP).

Expanding the discussion, Feras Ziadat, Land and Water Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delivered the technical presentation on overview of FAO methodology of ILUP. He outlined the purpose and methodology of ILUP, highlighting how it differs from traditional land use approaches and stressing its role in inclusive decision-making, land degradation neutrality and climate resilience. His presentation also introduced participants to the nine steps of the ILUP process, from scoping and stakeholder mapping to monitoring and evaluation, underscoring how youth can be engaged at each stage.

The session then turned to youth-led presentations on emerging issues in land use planning on the ground, highlighting the cross-cutting challenges that must be embedded in every stage of ILUP. Vaibhav Pramodenair from the Save Soil movement emphasized the urgency of soil revitalization, noting that healthy soils and the right set of sustainable land management practices are central to combating land degradation. Building on this, Mahathi Aguvaveedi from the UNCCD Youth Caucus showcased agroecology as a powerful tool for sustainable land management, stressing its potential to strengthen resilience while ensuring food security and inclusive livelihoods. These insights framed the need for youth to view ILUP not just as a technical process but as an integrated approach that connects environmental, social and economic priorities.