On October 11, 2023, a symposium on the needs and difficulties of enterprises — themed "From Source to End: Pioneer Programme on China-Africa Green Supply Chains of Timber" and co-hosted by the Secretariat of Global Green Supply Chains Initiative (GGSC) and the Green Supply Chains Branch of China National Forest Products Industry Association — was successfully held in Zhangjiagang, China. More than 30 people attended the meeting, including representatives from Chinese-funded forestry enterprises investing in Africa, the Putian Chamber of Commerce in Zhangjiagang, Henan Qingfeng Home Furnishings Company, China Wood Protection Industry Association, Zhangjiagang Timber Trading Enterprises, the Secretariat of GGSC, and the Green Supply Chains Branch of China National Forest Products Industry Association.

At the meeting, GGSC Secretary General Luo Xinjian introduced the idea of "From Source to End: Pioneer Programme on China-Africa Green Supply Chains of Timber" from various aspects, such as the significance of the timber industry to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as the investment risk prevention of wood enterprises in Africa, the importance of timber legality to the operation of Chinese forestry enterprises in Africa, and green supply chain finance.

Representatives of participating enterprises introduced some relevant information regarding their units, including the use and demand situation of timber, their demand for legal and sustainable timber supply chains in Africa, etc.

At last, GGSC Senior Advisor shared the changing trends of international trade and the importance of building China-Africa green supply chains of timber to the sustainable development of enterprises.

Participants said that the meeting had given them a better understanding on investing in the African timber industry and believed that there are many opportunities but also various challenges in investing in Africa.

In particular, participants said that the meeting had raised their awareness of the importance of sustainable forest management in Africa and legal & sustainable timber trade. They also said that GGSC, as a global platform serving wood enterprises and supported by ITTO, would bring opportunities for enterprises in organizing multi-party cooperation to build China-Africa green supply chains of timber.

Therefore, they are willing to actively participate in the activities related to the “China-Africa Green Supply Chains of Timber” organized by the GGSC.