The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has announced that Zandra Martinez from Oaxaca, Mexico, has been appointed as the chairperson of the International Board of Directors for the FSC.
Martinez’s connection with FSC spans over 20 years, where she has held various roles in the organisation in the communications area, as a staff representative, and acting head of the communications unit. And since 2019, she has served on the FSC International Board of Directors and has played a role in shaping the FSC Global Strategy 2021-2026. She has also contributed to several governance processes in Latin America.
According to FSC, Martinez has a passion and commitment for human rights, small communities, and indigenous groups. In Oaxaca, she supports the Colectivo para la Ciudadanía de las Mujeres, (Collective for Women’s Citizenship) by advising policy development processes for women fighting for political justice and rights. She also advises the Women Network for Peace. Most recently, since early 2021 she has been working as a development adviser in Guatemala with the GIZ-German Civil Peace Service.
“Our forests are under significant pressure, and we are running against time,” commented Martinez. “At this moment, as the climate change crisis deepens, the land-use pressure is threatening forests and their biodiversity, and when human survival itself is at risk, we need to demonstrate that FSC is a relevant and fundamental tool for resilient forests and the crucial role they play in climate and biodiversity protection. The coming year will be when we need to prove and build on our promise.
“I will keep our work focused on achieving our 2021-2026 Global Strategy and strengthening FSC as an organisation of excellence and service. We have a mission and vision to guide us, the human values to trust, and the resources to make it possible. I look forward to serving as your global chairperson and welcome your concerns, criticisms, perspectives, ideas and support.”
Martinez’s terms of office will run from 1 Jan-30 Dec 2022. She will also be supported by Janne Näräkkä and Per Larsson as vice chairs, and by Ivone Satsuki Namikawa as the treasurer.
