Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Ecological Forestry Certification (AEFC), Nina Kokkonen, is stepping down from her position. The decision was made in mutual agreement between AEFC and Kokkonen. The duties of Interim CEO will be carried out by Doctor of Social Sciences Annukka Valkeapää. Under the leadership of the Board and Valkeapää, a process to recruit a new CEO will be initiated.
The association’s activities will continue as planned. During this year, the association will publish the national EverCover forest standards for both Finland and Estonia and is currently training its first auditors in accordance with the EverCover certification system.
“Our goal is to certify the forests of the first pilot clients during 2026”, says Chair of the Board Saija Kuusela.
“We are working with our partners to promote continuous-cover forestry and forest biodiversity, and we are actively developing new forms of cooperation,” Kuusela continues.
“My doctoral research clearly showed that Finns do not favour clear-cutting. I am very happy that soon it will be possible in Finland to buy wood that has been verifiably sourced from forests that have not been clear-cut,” says Annukka Valkeapää, Interim CEO of the association.
More information:
Board Chair Saija Kuusela
saija.kuusela@aeforest.org, tel. +358 40 132 1667
Interim CEO Annukka Valkeapää
annukka.valkeapaa@aeforest.org, tel. +358 40 551 5601