Dear IUFRO Meliaceae Working party: Below is another press release from IUFRO 2019, regarding the draft statement emphasizing commitment to forest research to counter global threats. Regards, Sheila Ward ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: IUFRO Headquarters &lt;office(a)iufro.org&gt; Date: Fri, Oct 4, 2019 at 5:52 PM Subject: [IUFRO Div 5] Press Release - Scientists Pledge to Speed up Efforts to Counter Global Forest Threats To: Dear Reader of IUFRO News &lt;div5(a)lists.iufro.org&gt; <http://www.iufro.org/> * International Union of Forest Research Organizations * Press Release - Scientists Pledge to Speed up Efforts to Counter Global Forest Threats (Curitiba, 4 October 2019) At the 25th IUFRO World Congress there is common understanding regarding the critical role that forests, trees and forest products play for the future of the planet. Participating scientists have repeatedly expressed their strong commitment to step up efforts and collaboration in support of the UN’s 2030 Global Development Agenda, its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and related international processes. In order to give forest science a stronger voice and ensure that the contributions of forest science towards overcoming serious threats to forests such as climate change are better heard, the following statement has been drafted. Everyone who supports this pledge can sign it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Support-the-Forest-Science-Pledge --------------------------------------- Forest Science for Future *XXV IUFRO World Congress, Curitiba, Brazil, October 2019* PDF for download <http://www.iufro.org/fileadmin/material/events/iwc19/iufro-forest-science-pledge-2019.pdf> Over 2500 scientists from 92 countries assembled at the International Union of Forest Research Organizations’ 25th World Congress to discuss the plight of the world's forests. This first IUFRO Congress in South America allowed a specific focus on this region of the world rich in forest resources. Deforestation and climate change were identified as two of the most pressing problems worldwide. The IUFRO World Congress offered a unique opportunity to share evidence-based knowledge across disciplines and continents, to discuss the state of the forests, the challenges and consequences, and possible solutions. As a result, we recognise urgent issues and advocate for the knowledge of forests provided by the global IUFRO network to mobilize forest science for a sustainable future. We commit to accelerate our own efforts to *provide knowledge and practical solutions* *To foster good land management for water and wildlife; To prevent deforestation and to repair damaged landscapes; To supply wood products that have a lower carbon footprint than alternatives; and To enable forests to fulfil the physical and spiritual needs of society.* We reiterate the calls by the global youth to "listen to the scientists", and recognise the need for the science community to speak up in new ways to highlight the fundamental role science and technology must play in finding effective, economically viable solutions. --------------------------------------- *Media contact: *Gerda Wolfrum, International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), wolfrum(a)iufro.org The *International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)* is the only worldwide organization devoted to forest research and related sciences. Its members are research institutions, universities, and individual scientists as well as decision-making authorities and other stakeholders with a focus on forests and trees: https://www.iufro.org/ --------------------------------------- *You are receiving this message, because you are an IUFRO member or officeholder or have registered for one of our web-based email distribution lists. * *IUFRO Headquarters, Marxergasse 2, 1030 Vienna, Austria.* *Imprint: https://www.iufro.org/legal/ <https://www.iufro.org/legal/>* _______________________________________________ IUFRO Mailing List To post a message to all list members, send email to: div5(a)lists.iufro.org List info and Archive: http://www.iufro.org/science/iufro-mailing-lists/overview/