ITTO’s engagement at UNFF21

International forestry stakeholders gathered at the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests to advance international cooperation on forests, biodiversity, climate and sustainable development. © Raditya Satyoputra

The twenty-first session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21) brought governments, international organizations, major groups and leaders together at the UN Headquarters in New York to strengthen implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030 and accelerate progress toward the Global Forest Goals (GFGs). As the UN’s principal forest policy platform, UNFF continues to contribute to international cooperation on forests, biodiversity, climate and sustainable development in close collaboration with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) and others.

At UNFF21, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) showcased its active role in multilateral forest policy and governance through plenary engagement, high-level side events and bilateral diplomacy. As the only treaty-based intergovernmental organization focused on the sustainable management of tropical forests, ITTO emphasized practical implementation, legal and sustainable trade and partnership-driven solutions.

ITTO reinforces multilateral cooperation

In her official intervention, ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru emphasized ITTO’s commitment to the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, the Global Forest Goals and other agreements, whilst urging delegates to recall their commitments to the International Tropical Timber Agreement (2006), amongst others.

“As an active member of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) and the only treaty-based intergovernmental organization with a mandate on the sustainable management of tropical forests, we fully support and welcome international efforts convened through multilateralism, collaboration and cooperation,” she said.

Ms Satkuru highlighted ITTO’s practical contributions through technical expertise, on-the-ground implementation and support for legal and sustainable timber trade, livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and climate action. She also announced upcoming initiatives that would benefit all members, including the updated ITTO-IUCN biodiversity guidelines and an innovative toolkit for tropical forest fire management (adaptable to non-tropical forests), both to be launched later this year.

Supporting global mangrove action

ITTO played a key role in Indonesia’s side event, Mangroves Without Borders: Strengthening the Global Network of the World Mangrove Center (WMC). The event and ITTO’s intervention, along with other speakers, positioned mangroves as critical nature-based solutions for climate resilience, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Drawing on ITTO’s extensive field experience, Ms Satkuru highlighted projects in Indonesia, the Philippines, Panama and Benin, while reaffirming ITTO’s commitment to support the WMC as an Advisory Team member and global knowledge partner.

Calling for pragmatic action at the CPF side event

At the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) side event, Ms Satkuru delivered a strong call for practical solutions, stressing that global forest goals require economic realism alongside conservation ambition.

“We must move beyond merely demanding halts to deforestation; tangible economic incentives and sustainable trade mechanisms for developing nations are imperative in the quest towards the GFGs and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030,” she said.

She urged stronger legal supply chains, technology transfer and an end to institutional “fragmentation,” calling on forest organizations to stop “squeezing each other out” and instead align around real, on-the-ground, tangible impact and results. 

From forests to skyscrapers

Together with the Korea Forest Service (KFS), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNFF, ITTO organized the side event Empowering Sustainable Timber Value Chains: Bridging Market Intelligence and High-Value Utilization.

The event highlighted how sustainable timber value chains—from legality verification and market intelligence to engineered wood, wood in construction and timber skyscrapers—can link responsible forest management with climate-smart development. Speakers from Guatemala, ITTO, Malaysia, Sweden and the Republic of Korea emphasized that legal and sustainable harvesting supports conservation, livelihoods and low-carbon bio-economies.

Bilateral meetings

On the sidelines, ITTO held bilateral meetings with Brazil, the CBD Secretariat, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sweden, Switzerland, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Ghana and several others, focusing on the need to strengthen cooperation on sustainable tropical forestry, biodiversity conservation and trade, amongst other matters.

A strong implementation-focused presence

Despite rather fraught discussions during the UNFF21 meetings itself, many expressed the hope that opportunities can be optimized through stronger collaboration and cooperation, although several matters remain to be resolved. Financial constraints are hard-hitting for all involved, and many, including the ITTO, are exploring alternative means of achieving institutional objectives. 

Throughout UNFF21, ITTO reinforced its role as a practical, agile, strategic and solutions-oriented institution that bridges sustainable forest management, trade, biodiversity, and inclusive development. ITTO’s active engagement highlighted that achieving global forest goals will require stronger partnerships, reduced fragmentation, and alignment of sustainability with economic opportunity.