The African Forest Forum, AFF held its 19th session of the Governing Council in Kenya,April 25-26, 2024.
The session was the first for AFF’s new executive secretary Professor Labode Popoola who took over from Professor Godwin Kowero few months ago.
The hybrid session reviewed and updated the Constitution of the institution and mapped the way forward to keep AFF activities more vibrant. The session also elected a new board chair and vice to replace the outgoing chairs.Professor Mahamane Larwanou was elected to replace outgoing Professor Macarthy folabi Oyebo,while the vice chair Sebastian Malele was also replaced. The session was also characterised by a send forth party for outgone executive secretary Professor Godwin Kowero . AFF Governing Council accordingly is one of the organizations governing bodies. According to organization’s structure, AFF works through it’s members and secretariate.
The Governing Council, the Executive Committee, and the Secretariat are the key organs of the Forum. There are also committees of the Governing Council: the Executive Committee, the Technical Support Team (TST) to Raise the Profile of Forestry, the Working Group on Climate Change, the Task Force on Resources Mobilisation, and the Finance Committee .
The Governing Council and its committees have been established with specific purposes and also have terms of reference to guide their work.
According to a press release from the organization, the governing council session for this year will be in a hybrid format, both online and in sitting deliberations. A farewell party for the outg executive secretary has also been planned.
It should be recalled that the African Forest Forum is an association of individuals with a commitment to the sustainable management, wise use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources for the socio-economic well-being of its peoples and for the stability and improvement of its environment.
It provides independent analysis and advice to national, regional and international institutions and actors, on how economic, food security and environmental issues can be addressed through the sustainable management of forests and trees.