Africa: Kenya to Host Forestry Meeting Next Week
By George Okore
NAIROBI---Stakeholders in forestry gather in Nairobi next week to discuss latest interventions in research and exchange of knowledge on sound forestry management.
The meeting running from June 25-29, 2012, is organized by International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) in association with Forestry Research Network of Sub-Saharan Africa (FORNESSA). The meeting will also celebrate first Regional IUFRO-FORNESSA Congress together with ITTO-AFF Forest Policy Day in Africa. It will be attended by research organizations, policy makers, research agencies and the media.
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Director Dr Ben Chikamai says the meeting, convened under the “Forests and Trees: Serving the People of Africa and the World” will discuss forestry resources in Africa, essential in people’s lives and fulfill important role in national and local economies and in environmental quality. The meeting aims to support and strengthen forestry research in order to contribute to the conservation, sustainable management and utilization of forest resources in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“It comes at a time when forests in Africa are of special importance because of their central role for people's wellbeing. Quality research in forestry and related fields need to continue providing the scientific knowledge for conservation and sustainable management of forest resources. The important event will further stimulate and enhance the scientific cooperation with forest researchers and organizations in Africa”, says Dr Chikamai.
The Congress will highlight research that puts relevant information in the hands of forest communities, forest managers, policy makers, the private sector and civil society. The specific themes to be covered will include Forests and Climate Change, Forests and Water, Forest Policy, Governance and Trade, Forest Biodiversity and Conservation and Agroforestry, Energy and Food Security.
The meeting will galvanize Africa’s voice and opinion as the continent seeks to mobilize resources for sustainable use of forestry and other natural resources.
“The meeting is of very great importance to Africa, coming as it does at time when sustainable use and conservation of forestry is high on the development agenda”, says Africa Forest Forum (AFF) Executive Secretary Professor Godwin Kowero.
Mr. Gideon Gathaara- the conservation secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of forestry and Wildlife says the first IUFRO-FORNESSA Regional Congress will provide unique opportunity to stimulate and enhance scientific cooperation among forest researchers and organizations in Africa. Mr Gathaara says the congress will provide a platform for African forest scientists, forest managers and policy makers and their colleagues from other parts of the world to share and exchange information and experiences on critical issues affecting forest and wildlife resources in Africa.