ITTO and UNU sign MOU to strengthen collaboration on tropical forest governance and sustainability
2025/04/17
ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru and UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala sign an MOU on 17 April 2025 at the UNU headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, to advance tropical forest governance and sustainability. Photo: UNU
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.
UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala showing ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru around the UNU headquarters in Tokyo. Photo: UNU
The MOU outlines a framework for cooperation between ITTO and UNU through joint research, policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and awareness-raising initiatives. Areas of collaboration include tropical forest governance, restoration, sustainable forest management, and the development of science-based policy and education initiatives. Both organizations will also explore joint activities related to capacity building, inter-agency coordination, and engagement with international fora.