The theme of the 2017 Tana Forum (www.TanaForum.org) - Natural Resource Governance in Africa - is both timely and relevant given the centrality of natural resources in Africa's quest for sustainable development. The Forum’s Secretariat has prepared a summary document as well as 5 rich infographics (http://APO.af/atPZR2) providing an overview of what can be expected at the Forum next year. The Tana Forum has identified five resource challenges - extractives, land, water, the seas, and forests and biodiversity - to debate why the exploitation of these resources is increasingly a source of tension and violence.

Furthermore, the Tana Forum has announced a new Tana Board (http://APO.af/tkwyd4) consisting of experts, private sector actors, politicians and academics from a wide range of sectors and regions. Among other notable individuals, the new board features former Malawian President Dr. Joyce Banda and former UN Special Envoy to Syria Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi. President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chairperson of the Board since its inception in 2012, will continue in this important role for another year in order to create a smooth transition for the incoming leadership team.

The transformation of the Forum into the Tana Foundation is another major development. This new status will allow more flexibility and adaptability in the organisation of this ever-growing annual event as well as a range of other activities in the security field. For instance, the Annual University Essay Competition (http://APO.af/zByDpv) fosters voices from young scholars across the continent and includes them in the informal, accessible and candid discussions Tana is best known for. The competition is open to African nationals enrolled at recognised universities around the continent.