Letter from the Chair of the Board
For over 25 years, CIFOR researchers have put science at the center of global discussions on forests and the people who depend on them. Through its unique strategy of rigorous science, capacity building, and engagement and outreach, CIFOR continues to raise the bar for tropical forest research worldwide.
In 2018, the center celebrated a quarter of a century of impact and engagement. This report puts the center’s achievements at the forefront, with timelines tracking organizational milestones and notable impacts on policy and practice in international, national and local arenas.
CIFOR continues to gain recognition for its research, analysis and outreach. Long-time Principal Scientist Daniel Murdiyarso was awarded the highest honor given by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) for his tireless work on wetlands. This was a timely award as CIFOR continued to put these overlooked ecosystems – and their major carbon-storing potential – in the spotlight.
More than 500 million people have been reached so far by the Global Landscapes Forum, which continues to evolve. Beyond key events in Nairobi, Kenya; Katowice, Poland, Washington, DC; and of course Bonn, Germany, the Forum maintained this enthusiasm through digital summits, the Learning Academy, publications, multimedia and Landscape News.
Throughout the year, scientists based at CIFOR’s headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia or at hubs in Lima, Peru; Nairobi, Kenya or Yaoundé, Cameroon advanced knowledge on topics ranging from climate change and gender to illegal logging to food security. CIFOR publications were downloaded nearly 1.5 million times, with over 10,000 citations and 350,000 Google book visits. Forests News now averages 60,000 page views per month, extending the reach of knowledge to new audiences around the globe.
In today’s increasingly challenging funding climate, CIFOR stands out as an innovative research center with a reach that extends well beyond that of similar-sized organizations. It has overcome several financial challenges in recent years, demonstrating its efficiency and resilience with an unwavering commitment to maintaining quality. CIFOR is the only CGIAR research center accredited for the EU 7 Pillars Assessment, and is the most advanced in getting accreditation with the Global Climate Fund.
The center maintained its leadership of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) – the world’s largest integrated collaborative research program on forests and trees – and strengthened its collaboration with the CGIAR Research Programs on Policies, Institutions and Markets (PIM), on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), and with other CGIAR centers.
As CIFOR transitions to a new chapter in its merger with World Agroforestry (ICRAF), we look forward to the work ahead that will create the world’s leading research organization for forests and agroforestry.
José Joaquín Campos Arce
Chair of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee
