The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) has named Elizabeth de Carvalhaes as its new president. De Carvalhaes, who is president of the Brazilian Tree Industry, will serve as president 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 charge of this group of leaders,” says De Carvalhaes.

De Carvalhaes was elected at the ICFPA’s annual meeting, which was recently held in Washington. 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 Washington-based 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,” says 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,” says 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 more than 90 percent of global paper production and half of global wood production.