Forestry offers pathway for sustainable future, says Executive Director at conference

ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru delivers her keynote address on the opening day of the International Conference on Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests. Photo: R. Carrillo/ITTO

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 6 March 2024: ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru said in her keynote address at the International Conference on Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests that sustainable forest management in the tropics provides a viable way forward for the planet.

The two-day conference, attended by about 200 experts, officials and stakeholders from Malaysia and around the world, is exploring the nexus between forestry and sustainable development towards establishing a holistic strategy for conserving the long-term vitality of tropical forests.

Ms Satkuru said forests, especially tropical forests, are critical for dealing with global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty.

“The effective implementation of sustainable forest management (SFM) in the tropics has never been more pressing,” she said. “Sustainably managed tropical forests and associated legal and sustainable timber supply chains are vital for ensuring the longevity of tropical forests while addressing forest and biodiversity conservation and responsible production and consumption.”

Ms Satkuru said the sustainable harvesting, processing and trade of tropical timber and other forest products serve many purposes, such as supplying consumers worldwide, contributing to local and national economies, and enhancing the value of tropical forests—a key factor in reducing forest conversion to other economic land uses.

“When sustainably managed, tropical forests are healthy, productive and renewable ecosystems and contribute nature-based solutions to global challenges,” she said. Moreover, sustainable forest management is essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and most of the Sustainable Development Goals.

In her address, Ms Satkuru presented on trends in tropical timber production and trade between 1990 and 2020, based on an ITTO report to be released later this year, and outlined the work ITTO is doing to promote legal and sustainable timber supply chains and sustainable wood use.

In summing up, Ms Satkuru said sustainable forest management in the tropics, forest-based enterprises, and international tropical timber trade are means for adding value to tropical forests by contributing to the environment, economies and livelihoods.

“It is critical to dispel the misconception that harvesting in a tropical forest leads or contributes to deforestation,” she said. “Timber, when sourced, processed and used legally and sustainably, is a renewable, carbon-storing and recyclable material—a cornerstone of sustainability.”

The conference features speakers from academia, the private sector, government and non-governmental organizations. In addition to her keynote address, Ms Satkuru moderated a session on the theme, “Climate-smart SFM—What are the options?”

Download the conference e-booklet below.

Presentations of the conference can be accessed here.

Read a related article published in The Star newspaper on 11 March 2024.