ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will deliver a speech at the opening of the XIV World Forestry Congress that holds from 7-11 September 2015, in Durban, South Africa.
Hosted in Africa for the first time, the XIV World Forestry Congress, brings together the global forestry community, including government organizations, NGO, private companies, scientific or professional bodies, forestry societies, and individuals with personal interest, to review, analyse and define a vision and strategies for the sustainable future of forests and forestry.
The conservative management and sustainable use of forest resources being a top priority for the AU Commission Chairperson, she will discuss the critical importance of sustainable management of forest resources both for sustainable development and managing climate change.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma will encourage the conference delegates to come up with recommendations that will provide further insights and opportunities into the Sustainable Development Goals and the anticipated global agreement on climate change at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), landmark global agreements to be concluded by the end of this year.
Other high level delegates expected to speak at the opening conference include a H.E Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, HE Senzeni Zokwana, Minister of Agriculture of South Africa, HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium, Special Ambassador to the FAO for forests and the Environment, Dr. Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the FAO, and Mr Edward Senzo Mchunu, Honourable Premier of the Kwazulu-Natal Province in South Africa.
The World Forestry Congress (WFC), an initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, has been held every six years since 1926. It is an avenue for mobilizing the international forestry community to assess and analyse critical issues relating to forest use and discuss ways of addressing and solving problems; in addition to forming new partnerships.
The four day event, scheduled to last from the 7 -11 of September, will take place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. It will begin with cultural performances intended to highlight the vast and rich cultural heritage of host nation, South Africa.
