Dr. Ravi Prabhu has been appointed as World Agroforestry's interim Director General.

Prof Getachew Engida, Board Chair of The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) Board of Trustees, made the announcement and stated that the board is pleased to have Dr Prabhu lead in delivering solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges.

“We are pleased to have Dr Prabhu at the helm to help us deliver urgent and effective solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental and development challenges.”

For Dr. Prabhu, he pledged to fulfill expectations and responsibilities, as well as to use every precious second available to leap forward in a meaningful, innovative, and constructive manner.

“Thinking ahead to the responsibilities that you have entrusted me with, I intend to do my utter best to fulfil and exceed expectations and the responsibilities entrusted to me,” said Dr Prabhu to staff.

“I fully intend for my role to be meaningful, innovative and constructive – we must use every precious second available to leap forward, he added.

Dr. Prabhu has 20 years of experience in multidisciplinary research and action in forested landscapes with organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme, CGIAR, and CIFOR.

In 2005, he received the Queen's Award for Forestry at Buckingham Palace for his work on sustainable forest management criteria and indicators.

He became Deputy Director General of ICRAF in 2012, and he has served on numerous international initiatives and committees.

Dr. Prabhu received his professional degree as well as his doctorate in forestry from the University of Goettingen in Germany.

He succeeds Prof Tony Simons, who was recognised by the Board, Management and staff for his tremendous leadership and significant contributions to ICRAF during his 28 years of service.

Among his accomplishments is his leadership role as CIFOR-ICRAF Executive Director in the visionary collaboration with CIFOR on the merger of the world's premier forestry and agroforestry research institutions.

Tony was reminded of the incredible social dimensions that enrich life at CIFOR-ICRAF during a series of farewell events and celebrations this week.

He said at the end of his 28-year tenure that, the brilliance, utility, and worthiness of CIFOR-ICRAF work and impact are logically supported by investors and beneficiaries; however, the real treasure of the institute resides in the dedication and linkages of CIFOR-ICRAF staff and delivery partners.

CIFOR-ICRAF anticipates Tony's continued dedication and new forms of collaboration as it seeks solutions to global challenges.