Sustainable Development Goals
Main SDG introduction
World leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a historic UN conference in September 2015. The SDGs call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, thereby recognizing that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies to build economic growth, address social needs, tackle climate change and ensure environmental sustainability.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the sustainable management of productive forests in the tropics, and a sustainable tropical timber trade, can help in meeting future wood demand and achieving the SDGs. ITTO is empowered to promote the expansion of international tropical timber trade from legal and sustainable sources. It is perfectly placed, therefore, to assist countries in their efforts towards all the SDGs, especially SDG 1 (“No poverty”), SDG 12 (“Responsible consumption and production”), SDG 13 (“Climate action”) and SDG 15 (“Life on land”). Some of the ways it is doing this are outlined below.
Select one or multiple SDGs below to see ITTO’s contributions towards achieving them.
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Photo: R. Carrillo/ITTO
ITTO promotes sustainable tropical forest management by:
- Building sustainable forest management capacity in tropical countries through the implementation of field projects.
- Providing a forum for policy dialogue on conserving and sustainably managing, using and trading tropical forest resources.
- Developing policy guidelines on sustainable forest management, forest conservation and the restoration of degraded tropical forests for uptake by countries.
- Working with partners in government, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, civil society and the private sector to improve forest management, conserve biodiversity and improve local livelihoods.
- Strengthening expertise in tropical forestry through its Fellowship Programme, which has enabled about 1400 young forestry professionals to increase their skills.
- Jointly implementing projects with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to conserve biodiversity in productive forests.
Related ITTO contributions for the selected Sustainable Development Goal(s)
(102 results found)
Regional timber trade and industry leaders convene in Costa Rica for ITTO’s Trade and Markets Day
Sustainable cities and communities Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land
Against the lush tropical backdrop of Costa Rica, regional leaders in forestry, trade, and sustainability gathered for the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Trade and Markets Day on 04 April 2025, co-hosted with the Cámara Forestal Madera e Industria (CFMI). The event served as a vital platform for discussing transformative trends in tropical timber trade, from regulatory shifts to
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Experts discussed non-detrimental findings for timber species listed in CITES Appendix II
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
From April 1–3, 2025, experts from ten Latin American countries gathered at the Radisson Hotel in San José for a regional workshop focused on the development of non-detriment findings (NDFs) for CITES-listed timber species. The event, held under the framework of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), marked a key milestone in promoting the
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Ant eggs for dinner: celebrating trees and food security on the International Day of Forests
Zero hunger Life on land
For Kongpool Boonyoung, the community forest near his home in Thailand’s mountainous north is like an emergency food bank, an insurance policy in case of hard times.
“If something like COVID-19 happens again, we could survive in the forest for a while,” Boonyoung says. “If I had to live in Bangkok or another big city, it would be difficult to make a living without More
“If something like COVID-19 happens again, we could survive in the forest for a while,” Boonyoung says. “If I had to live in Bangkok or another big city, it would be difficult to make a living without More
On World Wood Day, ITTO sees sustainable timber driving the bioeconomy transition
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land
Pick any global nature-based sustainability challenge and, chances are, you will find that wood is part of the answer.
Forests are crucial sequesters, stores, and sinks for climate-heating carbon. Forests are also key reservoirs and refuges for biodiversity. They provide water, food, livelihoods, and protection from disasters for many millions of people, and their wood is an essential More
Forests are crucial sequesters, stores, and sinks for climate-heating carbon. Forests are also key reservoirs and refuges for biodiversity. They provide water, food, livelihoods, and protection from disasters for many millions of people, and their wood is an essential More
ITTO Executive Director's video message for the International Day of Forests 2025
Life on landVideo Message by Ms Sheam Satkuru
Executive Director, International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
International Day of Forests 2025: Forests and Foods
The ITTO offers its warmest congratulations to everyone who is active and works in the sustainable forestry sector. The International Day of Forests 2025 highlights the essential connection between forests and More
ITTO project in Mexico spotlighted by Diario de Yucatán
Life on land
An ITTO project to strengthen the economy of four rural communities in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula through the sustainable use of tropical forest resources and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge has attracted prominent media coverage.
The Diario de Yucatán, a Mexican regional daily newspaper, published an article on the project in February, illustrated with numerous More
The Diario de Yucatán, a Mexican regional daily newspaper, published an article on the project in February, illustrated with numerous More
ITTO reports slump in trade in most tropical wood products in 2023, with further uncertainties ahead
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 5 December 2024: Trade in most tropical wood products declined significantly in 2023 in response to a slowdown in economic growth in most consumer economies, a cost-of-living crisis caused by inflationary pressures, and a slowdown in China’s property sector, according to a report presented on day 4 of the 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council.
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ITTO forest fire projects spark learnings to inform policy
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Completed projects in Indonesia and Peru have provided valuable insights on forest fire management and will inform new guidelines on tropical forest fire management, according to an evaluation of the projects presented at the 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council, which convened on its third day today. Both projects were funded by the Government of Japan.
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Tropical timber trade group wants ITTO to do more to champion tropical timber
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
With wood producers worldwide reeling from skyrocketing shipping costs and the tropical timber sector suffering from negative consumer perceptions, the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) called on ITTO today to focus on rebuilding demand for tropical timber by communicating the “tremendous progress” producers have made on timber traceability, legality and sustainability.
In a statement More
In a statement More
Deforestation regulation draws more discussion
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
The new European Union Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which has been subject to considerable discussion in previous sessions of the International Tropical Timber Council, also received attention today as part of the Council’s Trade and Market Day.
CIFOR-ICRAF Chief Operating Officer Robert Nasi presented on the implications of the EUDR for the tropical timber trade. He said the More
CIFOR-ICRAF Chief Operating Officer Robert Nasi presented on the implications of the EUDR for the tropical timber trade. He said the More
Civil society group calls for more support for communities and women on forest landscape restoration
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
ITTO should accelerate support for community-led implementation of its Guidelines for Forest Landscape Restoration in the Tropics to increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts and ensure that communities benefit from them, the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) said in a statement today.
The statement was issued during a CSAG-hosted panel discussion on restoration strategies and More
The statement was issued during a CSAG-hosted panel discussion on restoration strategies and More
Tropical timber trade group wants ITTO to do more to champion tropical timber
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: With wood producers worldwide reeling from skyrocketing shipping costs and the tropical timber sector suffering from negative consumer perceptions, the Trade Advisory Group (TAG) called on ITTO today to focus on rebuilding demand for tropical timber by communicating the “tremendous progress” producers have made on timber traceability, legality and sustainability.
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Deforestation regulation draws more discussion
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: The new European Union Deforestation Regulation, known as EUDR, which has been subject to considerable discussion in previous sessions of the International Tropical Timber Council, also received attention today as part of the Council’s Trade and Market Day.
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Civil society group calls for more support for communities and women on forest landscape restoration
Responsible production and consumption Climate action Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 3 December 2024: ITTO should accelerate support for community-led implementation of its Guidelines for Forest Landscape Restoration in the Tropics to increase the effectiveness of restoration efforts and ensure that communities benefit from them, the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) said in a statement today.
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Council chair challenges members to focus on common purpose as political uncertainties escalate
Responsible production and consumption Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Yokohama, 2 December 2024: The Chair of the International Tropical Timber Council, Anna Tyler from New Zealand, has encouraged ITTO members to present a united front during the 60th session of the Council, which started here today, and to focus on the crucial importance of sustainably managed tropical forests and the role ITTO can play.
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Shaping the Future of Tropical Forests: The 60th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council
Industry, innovation and infrastructure Responsible production and consumption Life on land Partnerships for the goals
The International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) is set to convene for its landmark 60th session, taking place from December 2 to December 6, 2024, in the vibrant city of Yokohama, Japan. This milestone event promises to be a pivotal gathering for member countries, industry and civil society representatives, and those dedicated to sustainable tropical forest management and timber trade.
Why More
Why More
ITTO gears up for UNFCCC COP29 to elevate tropical forests in global climate action
Climate action Life on land
Sustainably managed tropical forests and legal supply chains can be essential in fighting climate change and supporting a circular economy. These forests serve as carbon sinks, while sustainable wood offers a renewable, low-carbon alternative to more polluting materials. Sustainable management also boosts forest and community resilience to climate impacts by enhancing productivity, conserving biodiversity,
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Timber markets in Brazil and China pick up in September
Sustainable cities and communities Responsible production and consumption Life on land
31 October 2024: The timber sectors in Brazil and China showed signs of recovery in September, according to the latest edition of the Global Timber Index (GTI) Report, released today. The ITTO-supported GTI tracks the performance of the timber sector in diverse pilot countries.
The GTI indices for Brazil (52.3%) and China (54.2%) were above the threshold of 50% in September (up from 44.5% and More
The GTI indices for Brazil (52.3%) and China (54.2%) were above the threshold of 50% in September (up from 44.5% and More
Boosting Thailand’s Domestic Wood Consumption: ITTO’s Collaborative Effort with Thailand and Japan
Responsible production and consumption Life on land Partnerships for the goals
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken global markets, including tropical timber trade. Like many other countries, Thailand saw a significant decline in international demand for timber and its prices. In response to this challenge, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Forestry Agency of Japan have promoted a key solution: boosting Thailand's domestic consumption of wood and wood
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CBD COP16: The Collaborative Partnership on Forests launched The Forest Factor
Life on land Partnerships for the goals
Cali, Colombia, 27 October 2024: As the global community unites this week at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) to advance the global biodiversity goals, the Forest and Water Day on October 25 spotlighted the critical importance of conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing our forests and water ecosystems. These efforts are
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