About Us

Our History

The idea of a setting up a global platform to protect and promote these trees was first raised at the 1st International Conference on Frankincense and Medicinal Plants in Muscat in 2018. A year later the World Congress of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (WOCMAP) in Cyprus held a special session dedicated to Frankincense and Myrrh. This brought together scientists, businessmen and activists from many parts of the world.

The delegates recommended creating a global platform devoted to the Boswellia and Commiphora as a focal point for the collection and dissemination of information on these two globally important genera.

Protecting and promoting the wonders of Frankincense.

The Platform Would Include:

New Scientific Discoveries

Trade Patterns and Market trends

Conservation Needs

Industrial Activity

Highlight

The scientific, commercial and cultural importance of frankincense and myrrh and the challenges faced by these trees and their harvesters
Information on tree status and populations, their forest environments, and the challenges they face.
Best practices on sustainable propagation and regeneration of the trees.

Our Activities

Promote

Greater national, regional, and international collaboration between business, academia, individuals, and organisations
The set-up of local grassroots trade and advocacy groups relating to species conservation and sustainable use
Research and development into novel value-added products with an emphasis on local manufacture.
Information on the status, pattern and volume of trade in these products globally

Disseminate

Improved methods of recording and tracking trade from trees to market.
Information on current and future legislation affecting these products nationally and internationally.
Help stakeholders improve harvesting and trade practices to ensure a sustainable long term future for the trees.

“It is against this background that the Global Frankincense Alliance, a non -profit making organisation was launched in early 2020.”

GFA

The Purpose of Our Board

The GFA has an advisory board consisting of eminent scientists in the field of frankincense and myrrh. The purpose of the Board is to:

Help develop the GFA action plan and policy.
Ensure GFA maintains an objective, ethical, impartial position vis a vis its stakeholders
Review submissions sent to GFA to post onto the website to ensure they are truthful, accurate and non-commercial
Agree on the allocation and use of GFA funds and recommend contribution levels

Meet The Team

Professor Dr Ahmed Sulaiman Al-Harassi

Professor of Organic Chemistry, Vice Chancellor of Research and Graduate studies, University of Nizwa, Oman

Professor Frans Bongers

Professor of Tropical Forest Ecology, Wageningen University, Netherlands

Mr Josef Brinkmann

Research Fellow, Medicinal Plants and Botanical Supply Chain at Traditional Medicinals, Inc, USA

Dr Anjanette deCarlo

Chief Sustainability Officer, Aromatic Plant Research Centre, USA

Professor Sebsebe Demissew

Professor of Plant systematics and Biodiversity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Executive Director, Gullele Botanic Garden. Member of the Royal Society

Professor Ben-Erik Van Wyk

Professor of Botany, University of Johannesburg, RSA

Professor Amadé Ouédraogo

Professor of Tropical Plant Biology and Ecology, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso