Investments in SFM, reforestation and restoration crucial for green economic development, says Executive Director

Massive investments are needed in the tropics in sustainable forest management (SFM), reforestation and forest restoration to efficiently cover the looming supply gap of timber and other harvested wood products —which could otherwise rise to several billion cubic meters per year by 2050— and to grow the green economy, according to ITTO Executive Director, Dr Gerhard Dieterle, speaking at a high-level forum as part of the Conference on Forest Rehabilitation in the Asia-Pacific Region underway in Beijing, China.

“SFM, efficient timber production, and a transparent and equitable timber trade are key to the development of green economies, conserving the world’s remaining tropical forests, and ensuring the ongoing provision of public goods and services. Moreover, investments in forestry would also open up opportunities for green economic growth and industrialization in other sectors”, said Dieterle.