Eduardo Rojas Briales re-elected as PEFC International Chair

20 November 2024 PEFC system news

The PEFC General Assembly has re-elected Eduardo Rojas Briales as PEFC International Chair for another three-year term.

A forestry expert and former Assistant Director-General for Forestry at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Eduardo has brought extensive experience and expertise to his role over the last three years.

In his first term as Chair, the PEFC Alliance developed the PEFC 2030 Strategy, and saw seven national standards achieve PEFC endorsement, including the first regional systems and Trees Outside Forests standards.

"PEFC has experienced three intensive years, during which it faced a number of unexpected challenges and transformations, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the selection of a new Secretary General after a long tenure,” said Eduardo Rojas Briales, reflecting on his first term.

“Despite these challenging circumstances, PEFC’s presence has grown significantly across all continents, and we have gained new members. We have made progress at regional level and explored new approaches like the design of a new member-driven 2030 Strategy, and expanded efforts in development and fundraising,” he continued.

Eduardo also highlighted PEFC's enhanced presence on the international stage, particularly at the EU level.

“The presence at the EU-level both of staff and members has been strengthened. We achieved recognition from the European Commission as a reliable certification organisation, for example in relation to RED II. We have prepared thoroughly for the entry into force of the EUDR, and have strengthened our international presence at events such as the World Forestry Congress, IUFRO Congress, COFO/FAO, and are moving forward our engagement with Indigenous Peoples.”

“The strategic selection of locations for our annual meetings and General Assemblies –Dublin, Vancouver, Paris, and Ho Chi Minh City scheduled for 2025 – has helped us increase our global presence," he concluded.

Looking forward to the coming tenure, Eduardo highlighted the need for continued progress and a long-term strategic focus.

“A long-term strategic perspective is needed as the challenges and opportunities that forests and forestry face are extremely diverse and complex,” he explained.

“Ensuring the global dimension of PEFC is crucial in this sense, as well as consistent support to our members. Almost no other organisation globally has the network, mandate, and commitment that PEFC has.”

Re-elected and departing Board members

The General Assembly also welcomed Thomas Schenker to the PEFC International Board. Dradjad Wibowo, Fatimah Mohammad, and Sara El Kadri were re-elected as Board members.

We said goodbye to Gerald Pfiffinger, who has been on the Board since 2017, as well as Brian Kernohan, Chair of the PEFC SFM Working Group and Esa Härmälä, member of the PEFC Nominations Committee.