ITTO highlights its support for private sector at IWPA convention

From developing smallholder teak production and markets for all kinds of tropical timber to co-organizing international business conferences, ITTO is providing wide-ranging and far-reaching support for the tropical timber sector embracing sustainability. © Tetra Yanuariadi/ITTO

From developing smallholder teak production and markets for all kinds of tropical timber to co-organizing international business conferences, ITTO is providing wide-ranging and far-reaching support for the tropical timber sector embracing sustainability.

This was the message delivered by ITTO Director of Trade and Industry, Mohammed Nurudeen Iddrisu, at the 70th World of Wood Convention, held by the International Wood Products Association (IWPA) in Colorado Springs, United States on 17–19 March 2026.

In a presentation on international perspectives and support to the private sector in tropical timber trade and markets, Dr Iddrisu highlighted ITTO’s programme to build legal and sustainable supply chains (LSSCs), a cornerstone of its strategy to ensure industry is producing and sourcing tropical timber responsibly.

The LSSC programme includes, for instance, ongoing and completed ITTO projects to promote sustainable wood use in the domestic markets of countries including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam, with activities including strengthening policies and production capacity and raising awareness among consumers.

Dr Iddrisu also pointed to ITTO’s flagship teak project, under implementation in six countries with support from the Government of Germany, to improve the production of high-quality timber from smallholder plantations. The project supports LSSCs also through international cooperation and innovative finance, benefiting both businesses and local communities.

Networking and knowledge

International cooperation, with the private sector as a key stakeholder, is also a focus of ITTO’s support for networking and knowledge exchange and a key to realizing the goals of the LSSC programme.

Dr Iddrisu spotlighted the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF), an annual event co-hosted by ITTO and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of Macao SAR, China (IPIM), which brings together hundreds of industry and policy leaders to foster collaboration and exchange. This is another significant activity under the ITTO LSSC Programme. The next GLSTF will be held in Macao SAR on 22–23 September 2026.

ITTO is also encouraging transparency and efficiency in markets for trade in sustainable tropical timber through the Global Timber Index (GTI). Launched in 2022, the GTI platform issues monthly reports on timber sector trends in key countries as well as efforts to promote sustainability.

Dr Iddrisu also discussed ITTO’s pioneering work in timber traceability, including the development of a smartphone app that calculates log volumes using photographs, and the activities of the ITTO Trade Advisory Group (TAG), a platform for private sector and governments’ consultation on trade and market issues.