High-level outreach meetings in Japan

Activity list

Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Japan, H.E. Mr Ipo Gbolié Désiré Wulfran, visits ITTO Secretariat

2026/05/26

On Thursday, 21 May 2026, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) received an official visit from the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Japan, H.E. Mr Ipo Gbolié Désiré Wulfran.

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru met with the ambassador to discuss the longstanding partnership between ITTO and Côte d’Ivoire. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation and exploring opportunities to further expand collaboration.

Commissioner of GREEN x EXPO 2027 visits ITTO Secretariat

2026/04/14

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru received a courtesy call from Jun Shimmi, Commissioner of GREEN x EXPO 2027, on 13 April 2026.

Meeting with Yokohama residents shines light on ITTO’s on-the-ground impact

2026/04/14

On 9 April 2026, a group of 12 Yokohama residents, including a local women's group, visited the ITTO Secretariat to learn more about ITTO’s impact in its member countries.

ITTO and the Republic of Angola discuss expanded cooperation

2026/04/07

On 2 April 2026, ITTO held productive discussions aimed at expanding its cooperation with the Republic of Angola, as Mr. Cabral Laureano Neto, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Japan, visited the ITTO Secretariat to facilitate further growth in the ITTO–Angola partnership.

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru meets with Ms Magdalene Shirley Moi-he, Minister at the Embassy of Papua New Guinea in Japan

2026/02/17

On 17 February 2026, ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru held a cordial meeting with representatives from the Embassy of Papua New Guinea in Japan.

Ms Satkuru met with Ms Magdalene Shirley Moi-he, Minister, and Ms Martinez Wasuak, First Secretary, to discuss ITTO's work in Papua New Guinea. Discussions focused on overcoming challenges and strengthening cooperation between ITTO and Papua New Guinea.

Courtesy call with Mr Zentaro Kosaka, Director-General of the Forestry Agency of Japan

2026/01/29

On 29 January 2026, ITTO Executive Director, Ms Sheam Satkuru, met with the newly appointed Director-General of the Forestry Agency of Japan (MAFF), Mr Zentaro Kosaka. Ms Satkuru congratulated Mr Kosaka on his appointment and expressed appreciation for Japan’s and the Forestry Agency’s long-standing support for and collaboration with ITTO, particularly in project development and implementation, as well as joint participation in activities in Japan and internationally. Mr Kosaka reciprocated this appreciation, highlighting the strong and productive collaboration between the Forestry Agency and ITTO.

ITTO welcomes a delegation from the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia

2025/09/26

On 26 September 2025, ITTO welcomed a delegation from the Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia (TEAM) led by Organizing Chairman Mr Elby Tan. The visitors from TEAM met with ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru and ITTO Director of Trade & Industry Mohammed Nurudeen Iddrisu, where they engaged in discussions on legal and sustainable timber supply chains.

ITTO discusses sustainable forest management with visitors from the Republic of Korea

2025/09/16

On 11 September 2025 ITTO warmly welcomed visitors from the Republic of Korea to share insights on the promotion of sustainable forest management and timber utilization.

ITTO welcomed Mr Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Commissioner of the International Horticultural EXPO 2027 and Ambassador of the GREEN x EXPO 2027

2025/07/03

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has officially confirmed its participation in GREENxEXPO 2027 which will be held in the City of Yokohama from 19 March 2027 to 26 September 2027. ITTO is the first international organization to express interest in joining the event.

ITTO meets dignitaries from the Czech Republic

2025/06/30

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) had the pleasure to attend the reception on the occasion of the visit of H. E. Mr Petr Hladík, Minister of the Environment of the Czech Republic. ITTO representatives, Ms Sheam Satkuru (Executive Director), Dr Gerhard Breulmann (Director of Operations), and Dr Mohammed Nurudeen Iddrisu (Director of Trade and Industry) was received by H. E. Martin KLUČAR, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Japan, at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tokyo on 30 June 2025.

ITTO and UNU sign MOU to strengthen collaboration on tropical forest governance and sustainability

2025/04/17

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the United Nations University (UNU) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a significant step toward enhanced collaboration in addressing global challenges related to tropical forests. The signing ceremony, held at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan on 17 April 2025, brings together two organizations committed to advancing sustainable development in the tropical regions.

ITTO welcomes Mr Ryoichiro Orii, the newly appointed Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the City of Yokohama

2025/04/02

ITTO was pleased to welcome Mr Ryoichiro Orii, the newly appointed Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the City of Yokohama, to its headquarters on 2 April 2025. He was accompanied by Ms Shuko Chiba, Director of the Global Networks Division, and Mr Norio Tomioka, Executive Director of the Global Networks Department. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss ways to further strengthen the collaboration between ITTO and the City of Yokohama, particularly in the context of the Green X Expo 2027 and the upcoming ITTO Council Sessions in Yokohama.

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru meets with Japan’s Minister of the Environment to strengthen collaboration

2025/03/10

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru met with Honorable Minister Asao Keiichiro and senior officials from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment at its office in Tokyo, Japan, to explore avenues for deeper collaboration on shared global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification. Given the longstanding engagement between ITTO and the Japanese government, both parties agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in these critical areas, amongst others.

H.E. Mr Gustavo Makanaky, Ambassador of Colombia to Japan, visits the ITTO Secretariat

2025/02/21

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) was honored to host H.E. Mr. Gustavo Makanaky, Ambassador of Colombia to Japan, at its Secretariat. He was warmly received by the ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru, and their discussions centered on strengthening collaboration in sustainable forest management.

A key topic of discussion was the progress of the ITTO project PD916/21 Rev.2 (F): Pilot Sustainable Management Systems for Secondary Natural Forests in the Collective Afro-descendant Community Territory of the Bajo Calima Community Council, Municipality of Buenaventura, Colombia. This initiative aims to promote sustainable forest management while strengthening the livelihoods of local Afro-descendant communities through responsible resource use and conservation practices.

Strengthening sustainability: ITTO and APP explore collaboration for forest management

2025/02/06

Engaging with the forest industry is essential for driving innovation, implementing sustainable forest management practices, and tackling global environmental challenges. By fostering partnerships, we can accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).As part of its commitment to private sector collaboration, ITTO welcomed a delegation from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) to its headquarters on 6 February 2025. The discussions centered on advancing sustainability in forestry operations within the pulp and paper industry, highlighting shared priorities in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

Courtesy Call with Forestry Agency Director-General AOYAMA Toyohisa

2024/10/22

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru paid a courtesy visit to Mr AOYAMA Toyohisa, Director-General of the Forestry Agency, to express gratitude for the agency’s and the Japanese government’s continued support. The discussion focused on strengthening collaboration to promote the sustainable use of wood and the circular economy. Both parties also discussed support for ITTO’s upcoming 60th Council session and explored opportunities for cooperation in the 2025 Osaka Expo and the 2027 Yokohama Expo.

Kenyan officials visit ITTO Secretariat

2024/10/22

On 22 October 2024, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) hosted a delegation from a Kenya Forestry Service. During the visit, the delegation engaged in discussions on ITTO’s roles and functions, the process of becoming a member, and potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the development of timber traceability and timber grading systems, and also upcoming events such as IUFRO World Congress 2029 which Kenya is organizing. Representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Forestry Agency of Japan, MAFF, were also present. The exchange contributed to strengthening knowledge-sharing and fostering international cooperation in sustainable forestry.

Courtesy visit with JICA President

2024/05/28

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru paid a courtesy visit to JICA’s headquarters in Tokyo on 27 May 2024 to greet JICA President Dr Tanaka Akihiko and discuss continued collaboration between both organizations based on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in October 2022.

ITTO Executive Director meet with President of Soka Gakkai

2024/05/28

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru met with Soka Gakkai President Mr. Harada Minoru, on Friday 24 May 2024, for signing an agreement between the two organizations for a new project to be implemented in Benin entitled “Support for women’s groups with the restoration of forest landscapes in the departments of Ouémé and Zou, Benin”.

ITTO, JICA and tropical forest “superpowers” explore paths toward sustainable forestry

2024/05/22

ITTO underlined the importance of stepped-up investment and international cooperation to advance sustainable tropical forestry at a symposium on tropical forest conservation that brought together three “superpowers” of the sector.