ITTO highlights impact of its projects in Latin America at TEC anniversary event

At a lecture delivered to the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, ITTO Projects Manager Ramon Carrillo shared how ITTO supports countries in Latin America through technical assistance, capacity building, on-the-ground projects, and knowledge sharing. © Tecnológico de Costa Rica

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) showcased the impact of its work in Latin America during an online lecture delivered as part of the 55th anniversary celebrations of the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC).

Ramon Carrillo, ITTO Projects Manager, presented a lecture titled “The impact of ITTO projects in Latin America” to students, faculty and forestry professionals, highlighting the Organization’s nearly four decades of experience promoting sustainable tropical forest management and legal timber trade.

Welcoming participants, TEC representatives underscored the importance of the event as part of a week-long programme marking the anniversary of the School of Forest Engineering, bringing together academia and international partners to reflect on key contributions to sustainable development.

In his presentation, Mr Carrillo provided an overview of ITTO as an intergovernmental organization established under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), with 76 member countries representing about 80% of the world’s tropical forests and 90% of the global trade in tropical timber.

He emphasized ITTO’s core message that sustainable timber production is not synonymous with deforestation. “The main drivers of deforestation are changes in land use, such as agricultural expansion, mining and infrastructure development,” he explained, noting the importance of promoting legal and sustainable forest management practices.

Mr Carrillo highlighted several ITTO-supported initiatives across Latin America, including:

• Timber traceability systems in countries such as Ecuador, Guatemala and Panama, which improve transparency, support law enforcement and enhance efficiency for forest operators;
• Integrated fire management projects in Guatemala, Panama and Peru, which combine early warning systems, community engagement and restoration strategies; and
• Forest landscape restoration and value-added production, aimed at strengthening forest-based economies and improving livelihoods.

He also presented examples of ITTO’s work in Costa Rica since the country joined the Organization in 2015. These include projects to strengthen forest value chains, promote sustainable forest management, enhance the competitiveness of commercial reforestation, and unlock the potential of secondary forests.

These initiatives have generated practical tools, such as silvicultural manuals, financing models, regulatory improvements, and marketing strategies, to boost domestic timber use and innovation in wood products.

“ITTO projects are designed to adapt international guidelines to national circumstances,” Mr Carrillo noted, emphasizing the Organization’s role in supporting countries through technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

The session also highlighted emerging opportunities, including growing interest in forest landscape restoration and carbon-related financing, while acknowledging increasing competition for international funding.

The event concluded with an interactive discussion, during which participants explored future collaboration opportunities, including project development in areas such as bioenergy and restoration.