Welcome message

The World Agroforestry Centre and the United Nations Environment Programme are delighted to co-host the 2nd World Congress of Agroforestry in Nairobi, Kenya from 23-28 August 2009. As the human population increases from the present six to nine billion by 2050, the question arises: How will the world continue to feed itself with 21st century economic models and management regimes? To answer this, we must turn our attention to agriculture. Reversing environmental degradation, and investing in ecological infrastructure such as forests, trees in agricultural landscapes, soils and water bodies, is central to the Green Economy solution. So too, is managing such assets and the food chain more efficiently. After all, these are the natural inputs and infrastructure that are fundamental to agriculture.

Agroforestry has a key role in addressing the challenges of food security, while conserving the natural resource base upon which agriculture depends. The science and practice of agroforestry will offer useful directions in solving the problem of how to feed a growing population while protecting the environment. For some time now, we have also witnessed the enormous opportunity to diversify livelihoods and incomes via the emerging carbon markets. This includes the renewable energy sector, but also the growing prospect of smallholder farmers earning an income by conserving forests, practicing conservation agriculture and increasing tree cover on their farms - which sequester carbon.

If nations reach an agreement on the issue of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) during the Copenhagen climate change conference in December of this year, agroforestry will grow in strength as an option for opening up the carbon markets to smallholders, in addition to its role in poverty alleviation and sustainable agricultural systems.

The 2nd World Congress of Agroforestry is a highlight event for 2009. Its overall theme is Agroforestry, the future of global land use. The sub-themes are Food Security and Livelihoods; Conservation and Rehabilitation of Natural Resources; and Policies and Institutions. Researchers, educators, practitioners and policy makers from around the world will share new research ideas and experiences, explore partnership opportunities and establish or strengthen communities of practice.

The Congress will also provide a unique opportunity to link science to policy, through the symposia and the Policy Day dialogues. We can no longer afford for scientists to work in isolation and publish in journals with the hope that the results will be used by someone to make a difference on the ground. We need to maximise every opportunity to bring together scientists and policy makers so that research is relevant to policy, and policy decisions are informed by science. A number of field trips have been organized to ensure participants get practical insights into agroforestry practices on the ground.

We welcome you warmly to the United Nations Conference facilities in Nairobi, and look forward to an exciting and fruitful Congress which will advance agroforestry policies and practices to have a positive impact on food security, poverty alleviation,and stewardship of the global environment.