Mr Birger Solberg is professor in forest economics at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). He was appointed the first Director General of EFI (1993-96), and has been member of the Executive Board of IUFRO (1995-2000), the Board of EFI (2000-2004) and the Board of NMBU (2002-2010). His main research interest is in bioeconomic modelling, econometrics, use of forests for climate mitigation and biodiversity protection, international trade, climate change issues related to forest sustainability, and the interplay between forest economics and policy.