Held for the first time in Latin America, the 25th World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) officially began on Monday, September 30 in Curitiba, Brazil. Concerns with pressure on forests and how scientific research can help develop public policies were at the center of the discourse during the event’s opening ceremony at the Expo Unimed convention center. Focusing on the topic "Forestry Research and Cooperation for Sustainable Development," the congress is organized by IUFRO with the support of Embrapa and the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), as well as other partnering institutions. "Climate change and growth in the global population increase pressure on forest resources. These challenges are becoming increasingly complex, and cannot be overcome without cooperation between scientists from various regions and countries," said IUFRO president Mike Wingfield. IUFRO is a non-governmental and nonprofit entity which brings together more than 15,000 scientists from almost 700 associated organizations in 126 countries. According to Edson Iede, head of Embrapa Florestas, Brazil has a prominent position in the forest arena. “There are ten million hectares of planted forests. Over the past 30 years, the research sector has allowed us to become a reference in forest production, and we still have a vast area of natural forests. This congress permits the exchange of experiences and promotes integration of forest research, in Brazil as well as around the world," he said. For the governor of Paraná, Carlos Massa Ratinho Jr., this is a great opportunity for the state to receive the largest congress in the area of forest research. "Since the 1940s, Paraná has historically been dedicated to forest issues, in various areas and with significant amounts of research. We have large business groups that span everything from reforestation to the furniture sector, generating income and employment. The forest sector is very important for Brazil and countries around the world. This congress in Paraná only reinforces the potential of our state and Brazil for this global market," he added. Valdir Colatto, the director-general of the Brazilian Forest Service (SFB), represented Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply Tereza Cristina and highlighted public policies directed at the forest sector, such as Rural Environmental Registration (CAR), and concessions for forest use. "These are valuable instruments to bring about synergy between the research sector and the government, which is why this congress comes at a perfect time," he said. President of the National Supply Company (CONAB) Newton Silva Júnior also stressed the relationship between forest research and the formulation of public policy such as guaranteed minimum prices for social and biological diversity products (PGPM-Bio) and food purchasing programs that generate income for family farmers (PAA) "Forests can only be preserved when the people who live there are no longer hungry." Curitiba: green capital Curitiba, the city chosen to host the Congress, is known for its green agenda, a point highlighted by mayor Rafael Greca. The city, which is the capital of the state of Paraná, has 51 parks and 27 private natural heritage reserves (RPPNs). "This results in over 206 million square meters of solid green space containing forests, public squares, environmental preservation areas, and refuges. The United Nations (UN) has established a target of 36 square meters of urban green space per inhabitant; in Curitiba, this number is 60 square meters. The city has been home to a strong tradition in the forest sciences at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) since its creation in 1912. All of this makes Curitiba a reference for environmental preservation in Brazil. The presence of more than 2,500 scientists from more than 70 countries is an honor for the city." IUFRO 2019, by the numbers The Congress will run until Saturday, October 5, featuring five plenary sessions with world-renowned speakers, 20 sub-plenary sessions, 190 oral and poster sessions highlighting over 4,000 technical projects, and 23 technical tours, in addition to 30 side events and meetings. The programming spans five strategic themes: "Forests for People,” "Forests and Climate Change,” "Forests and Forest Products for a Greener Future," "Biodiversity, Environmental Services and Invasive Species,” and "Forests, Interaction with the Soil and Water." The schedule can be found at the event website, iufro2019.com. Follow the Congress on Social Media Instagram: @iufro2019 Facebook Youtube.com/embrapa Fotos: iufro.fotop.com.br