Tanzanian appointed ISC member

Dar es Salaam. A Tanzanian Environmental specialist, Dr Richard Muyungi, has been appointed a committee member of the Independent Steering Committee (ISC) of an international research firm, which deals with research programming on Forest Trees and Agro-forestry (FTA). The ISC oversees, at a strategic level the research programming, partnership engagement, delivery and effectiveness of research programme on forests, trees and agro-forestry.

Dr Muyungi – who confirmed the appointment in Dar es Salaam yesterday - is environmental advisor and he has worked in environment and climate change for more than 25 years. He has focused on international environmental and climate policy and governance processes under the UN, particularly the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the areas of climate finance, capacity building, adaptation and mitigation. (The Citizen Reporter)

He was the UNFCCC chairman of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) between 2011 and 2013, responsible for overseeing the scientific dialogue and inputs to support the implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes globally, including the translation of scientific information into policy actions at national level and enhancing the role of the forestry sector in addressing climate change through REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) Muyungi also has extensive experience at a national level, and at a continental African level.

Most recently he was appointed to manage environment and climate change at Tanzania’s National Power and Energy Company.

He holds a degree in agriculture from the Sokoine University of Agriculture, a postgraduate diploma in international relations from Reggio Calabria International Relations Institute, Italy, a master’s degree in environmental protection and management from the University of Edinburgh, UK, and a PhD in climate change from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The ISC consists of nine members. A majority of five members, including the chairman, are independent, appointed for a three-year term, renewable once. Three other members represent respectively the Lead Center, the CGIAR partners and the non-CGIAR partners.

The FTA Director participates ex-officio, with no voting rights.

Independent members are appointed by the Board of Trustees and selected in their individual capacity, and are not representatives of their respective governments, institutions or organizations. They

bring recognized, state-of-the-art scientific expertise in fields relevant to FTA, insights from diverse sectors (such as national agricultural research systems, development agencies, the private

sector, civil society, farmer organizations, etc.), and broaden the perspectives and views of FTA.