How is sustainable forest management nature positive?

At the Global Nature Positive Summit, ITTO showcased how sustainable tropical forests and legal and sustainable timber value chains contribute to a nature-positive future. © Miwa Inoue/IFSAQ

How is sustainable forest management nature positive?

This was the question that the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and its partners explored at the Global Nature Positive Summit, held in Kumamoto, Japan, from 14–15 July 2026, where they showcased how sustainable tropical forest management and legal and sustainable timber value chains contribute towards a nature positive future.

The Summit brought together 2,725 participants and concluded with the adoption of the Kumamoto Declaration, endorsed by 85 organizations, including 40 corporations. The strong private sector participation underscored the growing recognition that businesses have a critical role in achieving the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) ahead of CBD COP17.

Sustainable forest management delivers nature-positive outcomes

Covering nearly half of the world's forests, tropical forests are indispensable for conserving biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and supporting millions of people who depend on them for their livelihoods. Sustainable forest management is inherently a nature positive approach by ensuring forests continue to provide environmental, social and economic benefits, while maintaining their ecological integrity.

ITTO’s side event “The co-benefits of tropical forests: nature-based solutions to circular bio-economies" opened with remarks from Jennifer Conje, ITTO Director of Forest Management, on how sustainably managed tropical forests and demand for legally and sustainably sourced tropical timber create incentives to conserve forests, strengthen livelihoods and maintain healthy forest ecosystems, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in promoting sustainable forest management across tropical forest countries.   

Deputy Director of the Forestry Agency of Japan, Mr Eiji Tanimura, acknowledged ITTO's long history of promoting sustainable forest management in the tropics and Japan’s close collaboration with ITTO as the host government. He reiterated Japan’s commitment to forests and forestry, highlighting the new strategy that the Forestry Agency of Japan is unveiling, which shows a revitalized focus on forest products and engagement with the private sector.

The event convened a panel of experts from WWF Japan (Mr Shinichi Kawae, Conservation Director), PEFC International (Mr Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy), Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. (Ms Junko Kikuchi, Head of Sustainability Design Office)  and Japan's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (Dr Ronald C. Estoque, Senior Researcher) who discussed how science, certification, responsible supply chains and community engagement can work together to jointly achieve environmental, social and economic goals, and a bio-circular economy.

Timber construction as a nature positive climate solution

ITTO also contributed to a side event organized by Sumitomo Forestry and Built by Nature, which explored how legal and sustainably sourced timber can transform the built environment while supporting climate and biodiversity goals.

Following the screening of the documentary Our Future: Built by Nature – Unlocking Timber's Role in Net-Zero Construction, more than 90 participants joined a panel discussion featuring Ms Jennifer Conje, ITTO Director of Forest Management, alongside representatives from Sumitomo Forestry, Built by Nature, Japan's Forestry Agency and PEFC International.

Ms Conje highlighted that sustainably managed tropical forests and the legal and sustainable trade in tropical timber can generate positive outcomes for both people and nature when supported by effective governance, enabling policies, and responsible markets.

She emphasized the need to raise public awareness and build a stronger, more unified voice among stakeholders on the environmental, social, and economic benefits of choosing legal and sustainable wood over more carbon-intensive materials, particularly in the construction sector. She also called for improved metrics and greater standardization across nature reporting frameworks to better recognize the value of sustainably sourced timber products, while underscoring the important role of public procurement policies in driving demand for legal and sustainable wood.

Ms Conje further noted that, despite the many benefits forests provide for climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods, the forest sector continues to receive only a small share of global climate finance. She stressed the need to unlock greater private sector investment through innovative financing mechanisms to help close this funding gap and scale sustainable forest management.

Panelists promoted the use of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, and examined the role of certification systems, innovation and cross-sector partnerships in scaling up the use of wood globally as a practical, nature positive climate solution.  

Inspiring the next generation of forestry leaders

Recognizing that a nature positive future depends on the next generation, ITTO participated in activities that engaged both young professionals and school children.

At a youth-focused side event organized by the International Forestry Students' Association Kyushu Local Committee (IFSAQ), Ms Paula Sarigumba, ITTO Communications and Outreach Officer and former IFSA member, shared how student engagement helped shape her professional journey in forestry and international cooperation. The session encouraged young people to move beyond environmental awareness and become active contributors to sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

ITTO also organized "Folds of the Forest: Celebrating Tropical Biodiversity Through Origami," an interactive workshop for 44 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Kumamoto City. Led by renowned origami artist Mr Kaito Nagayama of the ORIST Origami Club at the University of Tokyo, the workshop introduced children to tropical forest wildlife through the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, combining creativity with environmental education. The students also visited the ITTO booth to explore the importance of tropical forests and why conserving them is essential, including their critical role as habitats for wildlife.

Showcasing ITTO's work and building new partnerships

Throughout the Summit, ITTO welcomed visitors to its exhibition booth in the Nature Tech exhibition area, where participants explored the organization's work on sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, climate action and legal and sustainable timber value chains.

ITTO also participated in promotional activities for GREEN×EXPO 2027, with Mr Simon Kawaguchi, Finance and Administrative Officer, joining the official promotional event alongside representatives from other participating organizations.

The Summit provided valuable opportunities to network with government agencies, businesses, research institutions and international organizations working to advance nature positive solutions.