"CIFOR has a critical role to play in bridging the gap between research, policy and practice related to forests, food, climate change and sustainable development”.

These were the words of Peter Holmgren as he took up the position this week of Director General with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

Holmgren joins CIFOR from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) where he was Director of the Climate, Energy and Tenure Division. He replaces Frances Seymour who led the Centre from 2006.

CIFOR is a sister centre to the World Agroforestry Centre and the two collaborate on many projects around the globe, most significantly the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry.

CIFOR’s research focuses on building evidence for more informed and equitable decision making about the use and management of forests in less-developed countries. It is aimed at helping policy makers and practitioners shape effective policy, improve the management of tropical forests and address the needs and perspectives of people who depend on forests for their livelihoods.

“Evidence from global forestry and farm research are vital to decision-makers on the local, national and global levels. But the knowledge generated by researchers needs to target and respond to well-defined policy questions,” said Holmgren

Holmgren hails from Sweden where he received his doctorate in forestry later joining FAO to lead the Global Forest Resources Assessment then forest resources development and the Climate, Energy and Tenure division.

Read more on CIFORs website: New Director General takes helm of global forestry research center