AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock Elected ICFPA President

Ambassador José Carlos da Fonseca Junior and Ms. Heidi Brock at the ICFPA Annual Meeting on July 21, 2024 at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome.

July 29, 2024 - The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) has announced Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), as its new President. Joining her in leadership is Mr. José Carlos da Fonseca Junior, Director of International Relations of The Brazilian Tree (Ibá), who has been appointed as ICFPA Vice President.

Ms. Brock and Mr. Fonseca will serve for a two-year term.

The ICFPA leadership election was held during ICFPA's Annual Meeting, which saw participation from delegates across 12 national forest and paper associations representing 26 countries worldwide.

ICFPA's Annual Meeting also coincided with the 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO 27) and 9th World Forestry Week, bringing together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions, and advise on future strategy and action.

Brock previously served as ICFPA Vice President from 2022 to 2024. She succeeds Jori Ringman, Director General of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi), who previously held the ICFPA Presidency.

"The ICFPA is a leading voice for the global forest sector with a long-standing commitment to advancing sustainability," Brock said. "Our industry and the sustainable products we manufacture are essential to the world and critical to the circular economy. Through innovation and collaboration, we make meaningful impact that adds up to a better planet."

Brock continued, "I look forward to working alongside José Carlos da Fonseca Junior and ICFPA's members as we continue to advance our collective sustainability leadership into the future. I also want to recognize the steadfast leadership of Jori Ringman who reinforced the value of ICFPA membership as a collaborative organization in our efforts to address important global policy conversations and deepen partnerships."

The ICFPA serves as a forum of global dialogue, coordination and co-operation. Currently, the ICFPA represents 16 pulp, paper, wood and fibre-based associations that encompass 27 countries, including many of the top pulp, paper and wood producers around the world.

SOURCE: ICFPA