The APFNet Board of Directors gathered in Manila, the Philippines on 27-28 April 2023 at the Seventh Meeting of the APFNet Board of Directors, which is the first face-to-face meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was held in a hybrid format with virtual participants connected via the Zoom video-conferencing platform. The meeting was organized by the APFNet Secretariat and hosted by the Forest Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines.

Photo 1 Dr Guan Zhi’ou, Chair of APFNet Board attended the Meeting

                                                        
Dr Guan Zhi’ou, Chair of the APFNet Board, opened and hosted some agenda items of the Board meeting. The Board appointed Dr John Innes, former Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, as the Vice-Chair. Dr Innes thanked the Board for its confidence and responded he would endeavour to support Dr Guan in moving the Board forward.

Photo 2 Entrusted by the Chair, Dr Innes, Vice-Chair of APFNet Board, hosted the rest of the meeting
During the meeting, the Board reviewed and approved the proposed APFNet work plan and budget for 2023 based on the introduction by Dr Lu De, APFNet Executive Director. The Board also approved the renewal of the Board member, Mr W.T.B. Dissanayake’s term for another three years. The meeting decided to host the Eighth Meeting of the APFNet Board of Directors in 2024 in Thailand.

Photo 3 Board Directors had a group photo at Hilton Manila after the meeting

In response to Board Directors’ suggestions on the agenda, the meeting had an inspiring and fruitful discussion on several topics: a. Efficiently involve the Board in APFNet projects and activities; b. Explore ways for APFNet fundraising; and c. Further, strengthen APFNet capacity-building programmes and respond to priority needs in the region, especially in South Asian and Pacific Small Island economies, etc.
 
On 27 April, Board Directors visited the Makiling Rainforest Park and Botanic Gardens on a field trip.