The Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum 2024 (GLSTF 2024), which is co-hosted by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR (IPIM), and organized by the Secretariat of the Global Green Supply Chains Initiative (GGSC), was successfully held on 11-12 September, at the MGM COTAI, Macao SAR, China.

The GLSTF 2024 included a main forum, four specialized sub-forums, two side meetings, and a B2B matching conference, focusing on the deep integration across the entire industry chain, from upstream resources to downstream markets. The Forum brought together industry leaders and experts to explore the sustainable development of the supply chain and share best practices. It attracted 800 guests from over 40 countries and regions, including representatives from international organizations, governments, timber industry associations, and enterprises.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Ho Iat Seng, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Zheng Xincong, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., and Sun Xiangyang, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, along with ministerial-level delegates from countries such as the Central African Republic, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of the Congo and Peru.

Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, said in his speech that GLSTF, the first international conference on the timber industry held in Macao, is an integral part of the International Tropical Timber Organization’s (ITTO) efforts to promote the establishment of a legal and sustainable supply chain.

In her video address, Executive Director of ITTO Sheam Satkuru urged all sectors of society to support the development and improvement of a sustainable global timber supply chain amidst challenges and uncertainties.

A host of international collaboration outcomes and action plans for multinational co-operation were released during this year’s forum, including:

Research findings on the Global Timber Index (GTI) and blockchain technology, supported by IPIM and ITTO, implemented by GGSC, and involving higher education institutions in Macao, were presented at the Forum. The GTI Platform is now up and running, with three new pilot countries, two additional industry indices, and the provision of training and business matching services. Moreover, the Blockchain-based Timber Tracking System (BTTS) has been successfully tested and will focus on technology upgrades and the development of a standardised system to further encourage international co-operation and innovation.

A consensus was reached to launch the “Action Framework for Promoting Legal & Sustainable Timber Supply Chains”. A series of demonstration actions such as  “Green Finance and Green Supply Chains (GF&GS) Integration Action Plan”, and the “Demonstration Action of Collaboration on Central Africa-China Timber Industrial Clusters and Parks” were also launched, so as to build a new business ecosystem and supply chain model and to provide green financial incentives for certain enterprises and parks.

A string of business matching sessions and displays were also organised during the event. An overseas exhibitor commented that their participation in the display and the business matching sessions yielded significant outcomes, and they successfully established initial connections with potential partners during the event.