AFF works through its members and the Secretariat. Networking through electronic media is the main mechanism for exchanging information, ideas and views. The Members’ Forum, the Governing Council, the Executive Committee, and the Secretariat are the key organs of the Forum. There are also committees of the Governing Council: the Executive Committee, the Technical Support Team (TST) to Raise the Profile of Forestry, the Working Group on Climate Change, the Task Force on Resources Mobilisation, and the Finance Committee. The Governing Council and its committees have been established with specific purposes and also have terms of reference to guide their work.

The AFF has regular mechanisms for information exchange, decision-making and interactions. The Governing Council and its committees hold electronic and virtual meetings as the situation and agenda may require.

In executing its projects, programmes and activities the AFF will employ one or more of the following approaches:

• Constitute permanent and ad hoc task forces, think tanks and committees mainly from among its membership to analyse and give advice on specific issues, problems and potentials.
• Commission experts and institutions to carry out studies and research tasks to generate knowledge in general or for specific institutions and organizations on request.
• Organise workshops, seminars and conferences, as and when appropriate.
• Be represented at relevant international and regional meetings on forests.
• Initiate and implement pilot projects, normally in collaboration with African and/ or other partner institutions.
• Issue reports, publications and other relevant material emanating from its work.
• Provide a systematic information base on forests and trees in Africa, and a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for developments relevant to these resources.