Simon Rietbergen, a globally respected forestry expert whose career spanned four decades, has died at the age of 65. He was widely recognized for his dedication to protecting the world’s most vulnerable forests, with a profound focus on Africa.
Rietbergen’s work was defined by a core principle: conservation efforts must support, not undermine, the communities that depend on forests for their survival. He advocated for progressive strategies that balanced ecological health with human well-being.
Born in The Hague, Netherlands, he pursued his passion for the environment through academic study, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in tropical forestry from Wageningen University. His professional journey took him to some of the world’s most prominent environmental and development institutions.
He held senior forestry positions at the International Institute for Environment and Development in London, the World Bank in Washington D.C., and the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Switzerland. His career later included a role with the Prince’s Rainforest Project in London, and he concluded his service as a senior forestry expert at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome.
Colleagues remember Rietbergen not just for his technical expertise, but for his exceptional leadership. He excelled at managing complex, multi-national projects, combining strategic policy engagement with a supportive and good-humored management style that boosted team morale.
One of his final and most significant accomplishments was the launch of the $150 million Great Green Wall initiative in July 2025. This ambitious, African-led project aims to restore a 5,000-mile band of vegetation across the Sahel to combat deforestation and land degradation. Rietbergen spent years leading and coordinating teams across eight nations to bring the initiative to fruition.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, their three children, and his two brothers.
