Jamaica elected to chair LACFC

Jamaica: Jamaica has been elected as the next chair of the Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission – LACFC for the tenure of two years. This was at the 32nd LACFC meeting held virtually from September 6 to 10, 2021.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Department and Conservator of Forests – Ainsley Henry, will serve as the President of LACFC during the two years. Jamaica was elected as unopposed.

Jamaica is hosting the biennial meeting of LACFC, which draws together experts and regional decision-makers of various nations for discussions on, among other things, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on forests and communities and post-pandemic recovery efforts.

In his address during Monday’s opening session, the Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change – Pearnel Charles Jr., outlined the country’s dedication to improving the regional forestry industry.

Following the statement, he added that “Jamaica continues resolute in its commitment to sustainably manage our forest resources for the advantage of present & future generations. We are looking forward to hearing from and sharing with all the member nations so that together, we all can develop a regional forestry industry which will be better equipped to safeguard our people and our nations from the devastating impacts of climate change.”

This forum is being aided by the Food and Agriculture Organization – FAO of the United Nations organisation.

The LACFC was established in the year 1948 as an FAO statutory body with the aim to provide member nations with a technical and political forum to discuss & further analyse issues related to forests, as well as their contribution in the sectors such as – food security, sustainable food production in the region, and also the conservation of natural forest resources.

In addition, the island country has 72,824 cases of the COVID-19 mutant, while a total of 1,646 individuals lost their lives to the deadliest mutant.