The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the world’s largest knowledge platform on sustainable land use, has appointed co-founder Kamal Prawiranegara as its new Director. The announcement was made on 10 September 2025, a few months before COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
He is a seasoned leader with two decades of experience in multilateral collaboration, he previously served as the Forum’s Deputy Director. He succeeds John Colmey, who continues as Senior Strategic Advisor and Senior Director at CIFOR-ICRAF. An Indonesian national, Prawiranegara, 44, is based at the GLF headquarters in Bonn, Germany, within the offices of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).
His appointment ensures continuity but also signals renewed momentum for the Forum’s mission: creating productive, equitable, and resilient landscapes through both scientific and traditional knowledge. Prawiranegara’s priorities include scaling up Global South initiatives on socio-environmental justice, community-led climate action, and nature-based finance.
This direction is particularly significant for African nations such as Kenya, where CIFOR-ICRAF has its World Agroforestry headquarters in Nairobi. Under Prawiranegara’sleadership, GLF is expected to expand support for African-led projects on food security, gender equality, and climate resilience. By strengthening both South–South and North–South cooperation, he aims to connect grassroots actors with policymakers, scientists, and investors, unlocking resources that can accelerate Africa’s green transition. >
Prawiranegara will lead the GLF team at COP30, where he intends to spotlight community driven climate solutions and sustainable finance. His leadership is expected to amplify Africa’s voice in global climate discussions while creating practical pathways for countries like Kenya to benefit from new partnerships, funding opportunities, and shared expertise.
According to Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officerof CIFOR-ICRAF and Director General of ICRAF, Kamal brings a “unique and rooted understanding” of the challenges facing ecosystems, making his leadership vital for advancing sustainable landscapes worldwide.
With its growing community spanning 175 countries, the GLF under Prawiranegara promises to ensure that African nations not only participate in shaping global climate solutions but also reap direct benefits for their landscapes and livelihoods.
Founded in 2013, the appointment isGLF first leadership change and Prawiranegara reaffirms its commitment to the Global South.
