WASHINGTON – The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) announced Elizabeth de Carvalhaes as its new president. De Carvalhaes, who is president of the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá), will serve in this capacity for the next two years.    

“The forest products industry has the potential to respond to many of the world’s needs, and I am honored to take change of this group of leaders,” said De Carvalhaes.

De Carvalhaes was elected at the ICFPA’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The meeting was attended by representatives from 18 ICFPA members associations, who discussed future activities, cooperation and sustainability-related issues. 

De Carvalhaes succeeds Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), who served as ICFPA president for the past three years.

“It has been a privilege to help the ICFPA continue its legacy of advocacy on important public policy issues for the global forest products industry,” said Harman. “In the past two years, we have expanded our advocacy reach with new and updated position statements and increased communications between national associations.”

“On behalf of the entire ICFPA, I would like to thank Donna for her leadership and guidance,” said De Carvalhaes. “I look forward to continuing to work with her to ensure a strong global forest products industry.”

The ICFPA represents more than 30 national and regional forest and paper associations around the world. Together, ICFPA members represent over 90 percent of global paper production and half of global wood production.

For more information about the sustainability of the global forest and paper industry, visit icfpa.org.