Save the date: 7-11 September 2015 - XIV World Forestry Congress

The Government of the Republic of South Africa, in collaboration with FAO, will host the XIV World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa, from 7 to 11 September 2015. For the first time the Congress is being held in Africa.

The World Forestry Congress is the largest and most significant gathering of the world's forest sector.

Held every six years, its objectives are to inform, orient and influence international action in forestry, to elevate the sector’s role in global development  and to project a new vision for the future. This XIV Congress will be crucial as the world will be entering a new development era with the post-2015 sustainable development goals.

Forests are essential to life on our planet. Sustainable incomes and livelihoods, mitigation and adaption to climate change, adequate supplies of fresh water, biodiversity in nature, human food security, material for shelter – none of these would be possible without forests.  Yet this life-sustaining resource is under unprecedented pressure from humanity, climate and competing socio-economic demands.  

The Congress will:

• clarify why it is so important to recognize forestry as an integral part of sustainable development – from local to national and international levels
• identify, analyze and raise awareness of the major issues facing the sector and propose new forms of technical, scientific and policy actions that will result in forests’ greater sustainability by linking sound policy to feasible practice
• serve as a key venue in 2015 for the world’s foresters – from decision-makers to local practitioners as well as sectoral partners – to share their knowledge and latest findings, in a forum that will allow for challenging, constructive and sometimes controversial debate, and  fostering of collaborative partnerships and networks
• provide a global showcase for the sector’s latest developments and innovations, using multi-media learning platforms to illustrate their practical applications and linkages
• ensure that critical issues are visibly addressed and that all key stakeholders, including young people, women and local communities have a voice.

Practical information:

The Congress welcomes the participation of people from all countries, regions and sectors, whether representatives of government or non-governmental organizations, private companies, academia scientific or professional bodies, forestry associations, local practitioners, or simply those who have a personal interest.

The Congress programme will be professionally and culturally rewarding, with a variety of sessions, events and dialogue, to ensure that all participants are engaged in defining a vision and strategies for the sustainable future of forests and forestry.

Preliminary information is available at www.fao.org/forestry/wfc/en. More details including registration, the programme, calls for papers and posters, etc., will be available at the main XIV Congress website that will be launched in March 2014.

We look forward to welcoming you in Durban!