Appointment of Florence Palla as Chair of the Scientific Council

A Committed Expert for Central African Forests

Florence Palla is a trained biologist, specializing in forests and biodiversity, with field experience in more than ten Central African countries. She plays a central role in several major initiatives, including the Central African Forest Observatory (OFAC), a COMIFAC tool dedicated to producing and disseminating reliable data on forest ecosystems. She also contributes to the work of the Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB), the FAO working group on forest degradation and the FRA process, as well as the PANGEA initiative, which promotes sustainable and equitable management of tropical forests.

“Preserving tropical forests first means understanding them: collecting, structuring, and analyzing robust data is the key to guiding informed decisions and inventing sustainable solutions for future generations.” Florence Palla

A mission of coordination and scientific representation

As Chair of the Scientific Council, Florence Palla will be responsible for:

• Representing the Council before the Steering Committee of the OFVi initiative,
• Organizing and leading the meetings of the Scientific Council, in collaboration with the secretariat.

This strategic role will strengthen the scientific contribution to the implementation of the initiative’s objectives, which aim to preserve the environmental integrity, biodiversity, and carbon stocks of tropical forests and wetlands, particularly in the tropical forest basins.

Par cette nomination, l’initiative One Forest Vision affirme sa volonté de s’appuyer sur une gouvernance scientifique rigoureuse et indépendante, fondée sur les meilleures connaissances disponibles. Le parcours de Florence Palla témoigne de sa capacité à faire dialoguer science, politiques publiques et acteurs de terrain. Sa vision éclairée sera un atout précieux pour guider l’action de l’initiative dans les années à venir.

A Scientific Vision in Service of Tropical Forests

Through this appointment, the One Forest Vision initiative reaffirms its commitment to rely on rigorous and independent scientific governance, based on the best available knowledge. Florence Palla’s career reflects her ability to bridge science, public policy, and field actors. Her enlightened vision will be a valuable asset in guiding the initiative’s action in the years to come.

We are delighted to count on her leadership and experience to address the crucial challenges of tropical forest preservation, in the service of present and future generations.