Global Conversations, Local Impact

PAMSA participation at International Forest Sector Engagements

Sector leaders gather in New York

In early May 2025, global forest sector leaders convened in New York for a series of high-level meetings, including the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) CEO Roundtable, and the 66^th Session of the Advisory Committee on Sustainable Forest-Based Industries (ACSFI).

Jane Molony attended these sessions as well as a UNFF side event hosted at the United Nations headquarters. Here she addressed sector challenges, key achievements, and the role of the forestry industry in supporting South Africa’s G20 Initiative on the Bioeconomy.

Introducing AI to the global forest agenda

PAMSA made a forward-looking contribution by introducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a topic for the ACSFI and FAO Forestry Division to explore further. Mark Chan Yan of Yokogawa demonstrated the transformative role of agentic AI in improving productivity and efficiency. For example, this could include monitor process variables in real-time but also learn from past performance to refine operations over time. It is not limited to pulp and paper mills; the entire forest products value chain can harness the opportunities. Chan asserted that AI should be embraced and responsibly managed, not feared.

The analogy – “AI as a sandwich, with humans on either side” – resonated strongly with attendees. In response, the ACSFI Executive Committee intends to maintain a watching brief on AI developments.

Keeping South Africa’s G20 bioeconomy initiative on the map

With no officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) or the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) present, Jane also took the lead in reporting on South Africa’s progress with the G20 Initiative on the Bioeconomy. Launched by Brazil in 2023, this initiative is now being expanded under South Africa’s leadership. The 10 guiding principles for a sustainable bioeconomy are being aligned with existing frameworks globally.

You can access the presentation here.