African Forest Forum (AFF) and FORNESSA supports the Nordic IUFRO World Congress bid

The African Forest Forum

The African Forest Forum is an association of individuals with a commitment to the sustainable management, wise use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources for the socio-economic well-being of its peoples and for the stability and improvement of its environment.

FORNESSA

The Forestry Research Network for Sub-Saharan Africa is a non-profit, non-governmental scientific organisation open to forestry and forest-related organisations and individuals. It embodies three sub-regional networks; the Association of the Forestry Research Institutions of Eastern Africa (AFREA) which has 10 member countries, the Forest Research Network of thé Conférence de responsables de Recherché Agronomique Africains (CORAF) which has 20 member countries and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which represents research institutions in the 14 SADC states. 

Collaboration between Africa and the Nordic countries

In view of the long and fruitful collaboration between Africa and the Nordic countries in forestry research and education, AFF and FORNESSA express their support for the Congress Organizing Committee in regards to expected outcomes applicable to Africa of the IUFRO World Congress 2024.

SIDA supports AFF

Sweden through the Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (SIDA) had over the years supported AFF and FORNESSA members and institutions in three main areas – capacity building, including institutional capacity and support for innovations. A large number of FORNESSA Scientists have acquired PhD from Sweden, and published journals on collaborative research projects with Swedish counterparts at SLU.

Sub-session on Nordic – African collaborations

In recent times a number of FORNESSA members have received sponsorships to participate in conferences and meetings using SIDA funds channelled through the African Forest Forum (AFF). They look forward to further enhance their engagement with the forest science community in Sweden and plan to use the IUFRO World Congress platform to jointly organise a sub-session on Nordic – African forest research collaboration which would include post-congress tours to Finland, Norway and Denmark, if the Swedish bid is successful.

Congress Organizing Committee

AFF and FORNESSA stand ready to support the Congress Organising Committee with their views if Sweden is selected to host the 2024 IUFRO Congress. Thus, the already strong Organizing Committee for the Nordic bid has gained a powerful reinforcement.

CONGRESS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE IUFRO 2024

Chair: Dr. Fredrik Ingemarson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

Secretary: Academy Forester Birgitta Naumburg, Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA)

Programme for low income countries: Prof. Godwin Kowero, African Forest Forum; Senior Specialist Jan Heino, Think Tank for International Forestry Issues (SIFI); Prof. Anders Malmer, SLU

Responsible for venue and PCO contacts: Senior Coordinator Karin Hornay, SLU

Responsible for sponsorships: CEO Marie Kofod-Hansen, KO form & text AB; CEO Gunilla Åkerlund-Öberg, GÖ Nöjesproduktion

Representative from the host city of Stockholm: Marketing Manager Karin Mäntymäki, StockholmConvention Bureau

Responsible for National Nordic and Baltic IUFRO groups and post-congress tours: Prof. Björn Hånell, SLU; Prof. Hans Fredrik Hoen, Norwegian University of Life Sciences; Dr. Adalsteinn Sigurgeirsson, Icelandic Forest Service; Prof. Dagnis Dubrovskis, Latvia Uni-versity of Agriculture; Prof. Remigijus Zalkauskas, Aleksandras Stulginskis Uni-versity; Prof. Hardi Tullus, Estonian University of Life Sciences; Prof. Eeva-Stiina Tuittila, University of Eastern Finland; Prof. Lauri Valsta, University of Helsinki; Dr. Niclas Scott Bentsen, University of Copenhagen; Dr. Ylva Dandanell, Linnaeus University

Responsible for in-congress tours: Secretary General Håkan Wirtén, World Wildlife Fund; CEO Carina Håkansson, Swedish Federation of Forest Industries; Expert Göran Andersson, Swedish Outdoor Association; Dr., Senior Advisor International Affairs Lennart Ackzell, Federation of Swedish Family Forest Owners; CEO Charlotte Bengtsson, Skogforsk; CEO Bengt Ek, Swedish Forestry Association; International coordinatorBjörn Merkell, National Forest Agency

Senior advisors: President Lisa Sennerby Forsse, KSLA; Dr. Björn Lundgren, SIFI and AFF

Representatives for the students: President Christian Syk, Swedish Forestry Student Union; Regional representatives for Northern Europe Darja Salonen and Kristjan Täll, International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA)

Representative from the Scientific Committee (SC)