At COP30, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) played a key role in advocating for the importance of sustainable tropical forest management (SFM) as a critical solution to climate change. ITTO’s participation on 18 November was marked by a series of high-level discussions and technical sessions that underscored the value of sustainably managed tropical forests in meeting global climate and development targets. The organization’s contributions highlighted tropical forests as essential to climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
ITTO’s Executive Director, Sheam Satkuru, addressed the high-level segment of COP30, expressing her appreciation for Brazil’s decision to place tropical forests “at the core” of the conference. She reinforced that tropical forests are indispensable to addressing climate change, supporting biodiversity, and fostering climate-smart bioeconomies that benefit over 1.6 billion people worldwide. Ms Satkuru also stressed that sustainable tropical forest management brings a wide array of benefits, from carbon storage and climate resilience to poverty reduction and livelihoods.
In her speech, Ms Satkuru called for a paradigm shift in how sustainable forest management is perceived. She emphasized that sustainable harvesting should not be equated with deforestation. Instead, she urged that investments be directed towards those who responsibly manage tropical forests, with a strong focus on creating sustainable markets for legal timber. “Funding should flow to those who sustainably manage tropical forests,” she said, advocating for stronger domestic, regional, and international value chains for legal wood products.
ITTO also highlighted the potential of sustainable wood construction in addressing climate change. The organisation, as a co-lead of the Sustainable Wood for Sustainable World (SW4SW) initiative, contributed to the COP30 side event “Building for Forest & People: Delivering Resilient and Responsible Building Solutions”. The event, organized by Built for Nature, focused on the construction sector’s significant carbon footprint, which accounts for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The discussions underscored the importance of transitioning towards sustainable building materials, including wood.
Austria’s Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Norbert Totschnig, highlighted the role of forest-based bioeconomy solutions, while announcing the 2026 Vienna Global Summit on sustainable forest-based bioeconomies. ITTO’s Ms Satkuru reinforced the need for wider adoption of sustainable wood in the construction sector, noting that it offers both climate and development benefits. She pointed to the 2.8 billion people lacking adequate housing and the 1.65 billion living in extreme poverty across the tropics, underscoring the urgency of expanding access to sustainable finance and affordable timber-based construction.
The event also saw the introduction of the Principles for Responsible Timber Construction, a key part of the Plan to Accelerate Building for Forests. Ms Satkuru urged for a shift in perceptions, where wood construction is seen not just as a trend but as a vital, climate-smart, and bio-based solution. She also highlighted the importance of capacity-building and supportive policies that encourage the use of diverse tropical timber species.
At COP30, ITTO also participated in discussions about wildfire prevention in tropical regions. Ramon Carrillo, ITTO Projects Manager, introduced a new toolkit developed to assist tropical countries in managing wildfires. This resource aims to improve wildfire resilience by providing a comprehensive platform for integrated fire management. The toolkit is designed to support tropical landscapes in areas where wildfires are a growing threat, and it complements FAO’s Global Fire Hub initiative. The session explored the role of local leadership, national strategies, and financing needs to prevent and manage wildfires effectively.
ITTO’s engagement at COP30 also extended to the major forest basins of the world. At a panel organised by the French Development Agency (AFD) and Expertise France, ITTO’s Finance and Administrative Officer, Simon Kawaguchi, discussed the importance of deepening the implementation of sustainable forest management. The panel reviewed progress since the Glasgow Declaration on Forests and explored ways to strengthen forest governance and enhance collaboration with the private sector. ITTO reaffirmed its commitment to preventing deforestation through practical, on-the-ground actions, underscoring its role in implementing over 1,400 projects to date that promote zero deforestation.
On the sidelines of COP30, ITTO also met with the Brazilian Forest Service (BFS) to discuss further cooperation on sustainable forest management. A key topic of discussion was Brazil’s new Tropical Forest Forever Facility, launched at the conference. The BFS and ITTO agreed to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration, particularly around forest restoration and sustainable management practices.
In conclusion, ITTO’s participation in COP30 highlighted the importance of sustainable tropical forest management as a crucial tool in addressing global climate challenges. Through its leadership in forest-based value chains, wildfire resilience, and sustainable wood construction, ITTO reinforced its commitment to fostering innovative partnerships and financing mechanisms that can support sustainable forest management on the ground. As the global community continues to confront climate change, the role of tropical forests in mitigating its effects and promoting sustainable development cannot be overstated.
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