Promoting sustainable wood for livelihoods, carbon storage, and industrial development

ITTO participated in a recent forum to review practical approaches to advancing sustainable wood production within the broader framework of sustainable forest management. © ITTO

Forests remain central to global policy discussions, underscored by their prominence at the COP30 climate conference held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025. 

Building on this momentum, ITTO participated in a recent webinar convened by the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS) to review practical approaches to advancing sustainable wood production within the broader framework of sustainable forest management. 

Moderated by ITTO Projects Manager Tetra Yanuariadi, the discussion brought together experts from around the world to share national experiences. Speakers emphasized the need for stronger collaboration across the timber sector to unlock opportunities and support the international forest product trade.

The forum reflects a growing shift in how forests are perceived in global policy conversations: no longer framed solely as ecosystems, they are increasingly seen as strategic assets capable of uplifting livelihoods and driving circular bioeconomies. 

Sustainable wood use within sustainable forest management

Opening the session, UNFF Director Juliette Biao acknowledged progress has been made implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests, while stressing that further efforts are needed to achieve the Global Forest Goals. 

Sustainable forest management (SFM), highlighted as a key enabler of nature-based solutions, is at the heart of both the Strategic Plan for Forests and ITTO’s mandate. By ensuring that forests continue to provide renewable resources, SFM supports the livelihoods of millions worldwide. Within this framework, sustainable wood use (SWU) has emerged as a pathway to align economic development, industrialization, and climate commitments.

ITTO’s contribution to advancing sustainable wood use

Promoting sustainable wood use is central to ITTO’s activities. Through its project work funded by the Government of Japan, the Organization has supported member countries in strengthening domestic markets for wood and wood products, generating employment, and fostering value-added industries. 

Completed projects in Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam have demonstrated how increased domestic wood use can stimulate economic activity and support industrial development. Ongoing projects in countries such as Malaysia and India are further advancing these efforts by building capacity, refining marketing strategies, and strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks. 

In addition to advocacy through formats such as the Sustainable Wood for Sustainable World (SW4SW) initiative, the ITTO Legal and Sustainable Supply Chains Programme (LSSC) and the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF), ITTO has enhanced collaboration with partners to host forums and events exploring aspects of the bioeconomy and SWU at multilateral forums such as Asia-Pacific Forestry Week and COP30, including engaging with the private sector. 

Country experiences and practical approaches

Several experts from ITTO member countries illustrated how SFM and SWU are being implemented into practice.

Brazil’s experience underscored the role of data and innovation for the promotion of SWU and SFM. Clarisse Elizabeth Fonseca Cruz (Brazilian Forest Service), described how digital platforms such as the SNIF database and the national registry of public forests are improving transparency and strengthening forest governance. Other mechanisms including the National Forest Development Fund and the Forest Products Laboratory, are contributing to NTFP production, supporting value addition, and expanding opportunities for women and Indigenous Peoples. 

Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo (Roving Ambassador, Gabon), called for stronger alignment between global policy processes and Congo Basin countries. She highlighted Gabon’s progress in establishing a legal framework for sustainable forestry and becoming the first country in the region to operationalize a national certification system. These efforts have supported employment, strengthened climate resilience, and helped ensure long-term forest stewardship.

Other speakers discussed approaches to public communication and awareness building. 

Georg Rappold (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental and Climate Protection, Austria)  pointed to the importance of public perception. While awareness of ecosystem services is high among the Austrian public, the economic contributions of forests remain less well understood, despite supporting more than 440,000 jobs in the country. National and international initiatives, including the recent Country-led Initiative held in Vienna, aim to bridge this gap and promote the forest-based circular bioeconomy and SWU. 

Song Hee Nam (Korea Forest Service) emphasized the importance of addressing public perceptions of logging in the Republic of Korea. Building trust requires clear communication about the benefits of sustainable forest management and wood use. Initiatives such as the SW4SW play a key role in promoting informed understanding of SWU and its contributions to rural livelihoods, industry development, and carbon storage.

Canada’s experience, presented by Kate Lindsay (Forest Products Association of Canada), highlighted the value of forward looking frameworks. The country’s engagement in the Montréal process helped establish criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management that continue to underpin certification systems and industry standards. Public awareness efforts have also contributed to a more balanced understanding of forestry, including its contributions to the bioeconomy and role in mitigating wildfires. 

Expanding opportunities in the forest-based bioeconomy

Forests already provide multiple goods and services which have significant economic impacts for producing countries, a connection that was central to the theme of the recent International Day of Forests 2026, “Forests and Economies.”

Sven Walter (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), noted that a recent FAO report estimated that the forest sector employed 42 million people globally in 2022, including 11 million women. With exports of wood, pulp and paper products reaching USD 486 billion in 2024, demand for forest-based goods is expected to continue rising. At the same time, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) offer important opportunities to diversify income sources and generate employment, particularly in the Global South. 

Wood-based construction is a particularly promising avenue. Greater use of wood in the built environment can reduce emissions, support innovative design, and advance circular economy principles, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions across Asia and Africa. 

Expanding awareness and uptake of sustainable wood use remains essential to diversifying trade in tropical timber and forest products. By promoting legal wood sourced from sustainably managed forests, ITTO continues to reinforce its commitment to a resilient and inclusive forest sector.