The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development held an international conference entitled “Forests for Future Generations” on 11 and 12 June 2013 in Berlin. The objectives of the conference were fourfold:
1.    Promoting sustainable forest management in the tropics with its three dimensions of economic, social and ecological viability;
2.    Scaling up sustainable and legal wood products;
3.    Exploring options for alliances between public and private sector, and civil society;
4.    Increasing awareness among procurers and consumers that avoiding tropical timber is not the way to save tropical forests.

The conference was attended by more than 160 high-ranking decision makers from governments, civil society, private sector and universities. From Indonesia, Dr. Yetti Rusli, Ir. Helmi Basalamah and Pak Andi Daryanto, all from the Ministry of Forestry, Pak Agus Setyarso (SEKNAS-KPH) and Prof. Soeyitno Soedirman (University of Mulawarman) attended the conference. The delegation was accompanied by FORCLIME’s Programme Director, Mr. Rolf Krezdorn.

Mr. Dirk Niebel, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, welcomed the participants at the conference in his opening speech. For Indonesia, Dr. Yetti Rusli delivered a keynote speech entitled “Public and Private Responsibility for Sustainability” on behalf of Dr. Hadi Daryanto, Secretary General of the Ministry of Forestry.

Further information on the conference and presentations given during various sessions can be found on BMZ’s website