Reforestation and landscape restoration as means of combating climate change are now high on the agenda of many governments and organizations, especially in the wake of COP21 in Paris. Close cooperation between businesses and investors is needed to meet this challenge and to develop plantation forestry into a stable and sustainable business that will be beneficial to all involved. The opportunities for all stakeholders are huge.

A number of projects are already in place, and initiatives such as AFR100 are demonstrating a strong commitment, but the pace and scale of operations is still far too low to reverse forest loss.

The successful creation of new forests requires close, long-term commitment and cooperation between all parties. It is for this reason that we are hosting the working conference Forests for the Future: New Forests for Africa on March 16 and 17, 2016 in Accra, Ghana.

The challenge of reforestation goes far beyond simply planting trees. Its impact on the planet and its inhabitants is far greater. The far-reaching implications of the topic under discussion will be reflected in the conference program and a number of best practices in reforestation will be shown and discussed. We are proud to announce that one of our keynote speakers will be the Honorable Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Presentations will be held from all parties involved in reforestation, from local landowners, to government officials and NGO’s, and from plantation companies to financial institutions. In addition best practices of successful reforestation projects will be presented.

  • Nii Osah Mills, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana

  • January Makamba, Minister of Environment, Tanzania

  • Honorable Mr. Kofi Annan, Chairman, Kofi Annan Foundation, 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997 – 2006) and Nobel Peace Laureate (2001)

  • Sean DeWitt, Director, Global Restoration Initiative, World Resources Institute

  • Hans Lemm, CEO, Kilombero Valley Teak Company

  • Paul Hol, CEO, Form International

  • Dr. Tineke Lambooy LL.M., Professor Corporate Law and CSR, Nyenrode Business University

  • Wanjira Maathai, Chair of the Board, Green Belt Movement

  • Petri Lehtonen, Deputy Managing Director, Indufor

  • Nanno Kleiterp, CEO, FMO

  • Esben Brandi, Head of Timber Investments, Quantum Global