Representatives of the German government (BMZ, BMUB) will join leaders from UN Environment, the World Bank and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) to announce the launch of a five-year partnership with the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the world’s largest sustainable development platform involving all sectors (government, NGOs, private sector, civil society, media, youth, indigenous people).

Speakers will include Barbara Hendricks, Federal Minister, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Germany; Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Deputy Director General, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany; Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment; Karin Kemper, Senior Director for the Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, World Bank and Robert Nasi, Director General, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

The press conference is scheduled to take place at the World Conference Center Bonn, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 2, 53113 Bonn on December 19 at 12:30 p.m., on the first day of the two-day Global Landscapes Forum. The event will be covered by international media and live-streamed through a number of media outlets

The Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) launched the first Wangari Maathai Award in 2012 to recognize the impact of this extraordinary Nobel Prize laureate from Kenya who championed forest issues in her country and globally. In 2017, the CPF will award another individual for her/his outstanding achievements for forests. The winner will receive a cash prize of USD 20,000 along with international recognition of the outstanding contributions to preserve, restore and sustainably manage forests and to raise awareness of the key role forests play in supporting local communities, rural livelihoods, women and the environment.

This year’s Wangari Maathai Award Ceremony will be held on December 20 at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony will be hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the Global Landscapes Forum held at the World Conference Centre in Bonn. Mr. Hiroto Mitsugi, Assistant Director-General FAO of the United Nations will address the audience on this occasion, after which the announcement of the winner will be made.

Nominations will be reviewed by an international jury of renowned personalities, who will take into consideration key elements like empowering women, youth and civil society; fostering social commitment; promoting networks; and improving the valuation of forests in society.

A press conference will be held immediately after the announcement.