Ismaili community commits to planting one million trees for sustainability

The Shia Ismaili Muslim Community has announced the launch of its "Roots for Change" campaign, a global tree-planting initiative aimed at planting one million trees worldwide, thereby reinforcing a collective commitment to climate action globally.

The bold campaign, a partnership between two international initiatives of the Ismaili Community, Global Encounters and Ismaili CIVIC, aims to foster environmental stewardship and sustainability. The initiative will mobilise volunteers across over 20 countries in celebration of the 2025 Global Encounters Festival that will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The initiative reflects Ismaili CIVIC's long-standing tradition of service and contributes towards the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) 's commitment to achieve net zero by 2030.

Rooted in Islamic values, the campaign underscores the responsibility of environmental stewardship and the duty of all of us to protect God's creation for our future generations. This initiative plants trees and ensures the programme's sustainability, long-term community engagement, particularly among the youth, and environmental impact.

Notably, Ismaili CIVIC Bangladesh and Global Encounters Bangladesh have played vital roles in supporting the global initiative. With the support of their implementation partners, the It's Humanity Foundation has pledged to plant 5,000 trees throughout Bangladesh between now and 2026. This local effort significantly contributes to the global goal, strengthening the campaign's reach and impact within the region.

Ismaili CIVIC is a global programme under which members of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community worldwide unite to render voluntary service to improve the quality of life in the communities in which they live, regardless of faith, gender, or background. Since its inception in 2021, Ismaili CIVIC has engaged over 250,000 volunteers across 39 countries, participated in over 5,000 activities, and collaborated with almost 1,500 partners through efforts in environmental stewardship, community health, interfaith engagement, poverty alleviation, and several other thematic areas. To date, Ismaili CIVIC has helped plant over 4.5 million trees.

Global Encounters (GE), established during the Diamond Jubilee of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, unites communities through transformational experiences that advance pluralism, cultivate youth leadership and talent, and strengthen bonds across cultures and borders. It's

Festival, dedicated to inspiring engagement and excellence in talent, will be held in Dubai from 20- 27 July, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and will bring together 4,000 artists and athletes from 22 jurisdictions, and over 3,000 volunteers from around the world.