FORESTRY CONGRESS AT ARGENTINA

I travelled to Argentina in 2009 to attend the Second International Forum on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). I gave the Keynote Address on ’Agro-biodiversity Heritage Sites, From Hotspots to Happy Spots.’ The GIAHS Forum was part of the World Forestry Congress which was being held in Buenos Aires. I also addressed the Forestry Congress and spoke on the need for ensuring that forests are preserved for posterity. It was a useful visit and the discussion with the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner — a delightful lady whose husband had also been the President earlier — was a very fruitful one. She had great regard for IUCN and was impressed that I had been President of IUCN from 1984 to 1990.