Delegates gather for the XIV World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa

Over 3 000 delegates from across the world gathered in Durban ICC during the opening of the XIV World Forestry Congress, a global event which is held every six years and it was the first time that this gathering took place on African soil.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, said they have assembled political leaders, policy makers, industry, academics, students and civil society organisations with the reason to engage in a wide ranging set of discussions on issues impacting on the forestry sector.
“I am confident that South Africa will be far richer for this experience and that the proceedings from this congress will make a significant mark on the global policy agenda in terms of ensuring sustainable forests and indeed a future for our planet,” he said.

Zokwana explained that he was very pleased by the engagement of youth from all the continents. “As they really are our future hope and I am certain that their involvement bodes well for the implementation of the changes which this congress identifies must take place to ensure a sustainable future for children and future generations. For South Africa, our tree planting efforts should also be seen as part of our redressing the inequalities of our past.

” We have since embarked upon a number of initiatives aimed at the greening of our townships through the efforts of government, NGOs and corporate support,” he said.

He clarified that the potential is clearly there to expand such programmes by tenfold and more, and it is his sincere hope that one of the lasting legacies of this Congress will be a more comprehensive campaign to bring about the greening of our townships with trees which will change the character of our townships, bring shade, nutrition and all the associated benefits of trees to our communities.