Frances Seymour, Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), announced she will be leaving the organization in June 2012.
Seymour presided over six years of rapid growth at CIFOR, helping the organization boost its international profile and budget. During her time, CIFOR emerged as a key resource for policy-makers working to to develop the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) mechanism. CIFOR now convenes “Forest Day” alongside annual climate change negotiations to highlight the importance of forests in helping slow climate change.
In a statement, Seymour said she expected CIFOR to continue that role.
“CIFOR is committed to ensuring that forests stay high on the political agenda, and that decision-making that affects forests is based on solid science and principles of good governance, and reflects the perspectives of developing countries and forest-dependent people,” Seymour said. “I am confident that CIFOR’s next leader will bring new energy and perspectives to further ensure delivery on these commitments in the future.”
Seymour’s replacement has not be named.
CIFOR presently has about 200 staff, who, together with associates and consultants, are conducting forest-related research in some 20 countries.
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