More than 100 forestry scientists, educators and policymakers from Russia and Tanzania met in Dar es Salaam last week to establish a new Centre of Excellence for Forest Science and Education, the latest in what has been a strong emphasis by both nations to grow economic ties.
The conference, the culmination of months of collaboration between the Russian and Tanzanian research community, unveiled a joint strategy for research, training and policy reform. Deputy Chairman of St. Petersburg’s Committee on External Relations and Head of Foreign Economic Cooperation Nizami Mamishev officially opened the Centre, hailing the partnership as a model for marrying cutting-edge science with on-the-ground forest management.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation, Siima Salome Samson Bakengesa of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism unveiled enhanced protocols for sustainable harvesting; Jared Elly Otieno of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency showcased advanced remote-sensing techniques for real‐time resource monitoring; Greyson Zabron Nyamoga from Sokoine University of Agriculture quantified the economic value of ecosystem services—carbon storage, water regulation and pollination—and Chelestino Peter Balama of the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute detailed measures used to protect 10,000 native plant species.
In further sessions, Russian and Tanzanian experts tested Russia’s carbon-accounting models on Tanzania’s vast woodlands, compared community-based stewardship approaches and identified policy levers to scale successful innovations. The summit concluded with the adoption of a shared research agenda on sustainable yields, ecosystem valuation and local engagement, underpinned by planned student and faculty exchanges and seed funding from both governments.
Organisers say the Centre of Excellence will accelerate joint breakthroughs in forest science, boost the global competitiveness of Russian and Tanzanian specialists and transform forests into engines of sustainable economic growth and environmental resilience.
- To learn more about Tanzanian forests and the role that ecosystem services and wood production can play in growing its economy, click here for Wood Central’s exclusive coverage.
