XIV WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS

The XIV World Forestry Congress will be held from 7 to 11 September 2015 in the City of Durban

The World Forestry Congress (WFC) is the largest gathering on forests and forestry and is held at six-year intervals by a host country and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In 2015 the WFC will take place for the first time on African soil after South Africa was awarded the rights to host this prestigious event. The XIV World Forestry Congress will be held in Durban, South Africa from 7 to 11 September 2015, following the XIII WFC held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2009.

The congress serves as a platform where governments, academics, civil society, the private sector and people who have an interest in forestry come together to discuss and share information and knowledge on forests and forestry, and find ways of addressing key issues for sustainable development. The theme for the WFC2015 is ‘’Forests and People: Investing in a Sustainable Future’’.

The XIV World Forestry Congress aims to:

• clarify why it is so important to recognise forestry as an integral part of sustainable development – from local to national and international levels;
• identify, analyse 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, the exchange of experience and views, and the 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; and
• ensure that critical issues are visibly addressed and that all key stakeholders, including young people, women and local communities, are given a platform where the voice of the constituencies they represent will be heard.

Participation

Participation in the Congress is open to people from all countries, regions and sectors – public, private, educational, NGO and research. Participants may belong to a government organisation, NGO, private company, scientific or professional body, a forestry society, or attend in a personal capacity.

Registration is required and there is a fee. More information can be found on the registration page