Katherine Sierra (USA)
Vice President, Sustainable Development, World Bank; Chair, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (The Philippines)
Chair, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Founder and Executive Director, Tebtebba Foundation; and Convenor, Asian Indigenous Women's Network
Rudy Rabbinge (The Netherlands)
Dean of Wageningen Graduate Schools, Wageningen University and Research Centre; Chair, Science Council of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.
Ernesta Ballard (USA)
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Weyerhauser Company
There is no doubt that the world’s forests will play a significant role within any global strategy to address climate change. Just what this role will be is yet to be decided.
The range of issues and perspectives regarding forests and climate change are as many and as varied as the stakeholders. Many of these stakeholders are involved in the UN Conference of Parties and are currently engaged in discussions on emission reduction and adaptation strategies, targets and timeframes.
Forest Day will provide a platform for discussion among decision makers and a broad cross-section of scientists, academics, entrepreneurs and other interested parties, in order to help shape the global forest agenda.
The Opening Plenary will involve a distinguished panel of forest-related experts to introduce some of the key issues and to encourage further exploration of these issues through the assortment of interactive forums, presentations, workshops and poster sessions that are available throughout Forest Day.