The global timber industry is currently facing increasingly complex challenges and uncertainties. Multiple factors, including geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices and logistics costs, frequent trade disputes, evolving regulatory requirements, declining market demand, and weak global economic recovery, are placing growing pressure on timber supply chains worldwide.
Against this backdrop, stakeholders across the global timber sector need to strengthen cooperation and jointly explore new approaches and solutions that can adapt to emerging trends and changing circumstances.
The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)’s Legal and Sustainable Supply Chains (LSSC) Programme integrates government systems, private sector initiatives, financial resources, and capacity-building efforts. Through a comprehensive and coordinated approach, the programme aims to establish legal and sustainable timber supply chains.
In collaboration with the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) and the Global Green Supply Chain Initiative (GGSC) Secretariat, ITTO supported the organization of the first Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) in Macao in November 2023, focusing on measures to improve the legality and sustainability of timber supply chains.
The 2026 Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF 2026) will be held on September 22–23, 2026, in Macao, China. The forum will further strengthen GLSTF as an annual cooperation platform and promote the development of legal and sustainable timber supply chains worldwide.
I. Objectives of GLSTF 2026
The 2026 Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum aims to further enhance connections, cooperation, and dialogue among stakeholders in the timber and wood products industry.
The forum will promote the adoption of sustainable forest management practices and legal and sustainable timber supply chains, supporting the lawful and sustainable utilization and trade of timber products within a stable, transparent, and predictable business environment.
It will also contribute to global sustainable development and climate change mitigation efforts.
II. Date and Venue
Date:
September 22–23, 2026
Venue:
Galaxy International Convention Center, Macao, China
III. Organizers
Co-organizers:
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM)
Organizer:
Global Green Supply Chain Initiative (GGSC) Secretariat
The specialized parallel forums will be jointly organized by ITTO, IPIM, the GGSC Secretariat, and partner organizations.
IV. Forum Structure
The forum consists of:
1. Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (Main Forum)
2. Four Specialized Parallel Forums
3. Sustainable Timber Exhibition
4. Other Business Activities and Side Events
V. Theme and Topics
The theme of GLSTF 2026 is:
Innovation and Transformation — Exploring New Pathways Toward a Resilient and Sustainable Global Timber Industry
The main forum will focus on:
- The global timber industry amid changing international conditions
- Building supply chain resilience through industrial and trade transformation
- Innovation-driven pathways for sustainable development of the timber industry
The specialized forums will be jointly organized by ITTO, IPIM, GGSC, and partner organizations, covering the following themes:
- Timber legality and sustainability
- Sustainable timber resources, markets, and trade
- Market trends and industrial development of furniture and home furnishing sectors
- Green finance, innovation mechanisms, and solutions
Sustainable Timber Exhibition and Additional Activities
During the forum, the Sustainable Timber Exhibition will also be held, featuring approximately 30 exhibition booths.
The latest achievements, including the Global Timber Index (GTI) and the Blockchain-based Timber Traceability System (BTTS), will be presented during the event.
Additional activities, including business networking events, B2B matchmaking meetings, and side events, will also be organized according to participants’ needs.
The forum is expected to attract 700–800 representatives from:
- Global timber companies and trading enterprises
- Industry associations
- Governments
- International organizations
- Research institutions
- Other relevant stakeholders
The main forum will provide simultaneous interpretation services in:
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
The four specialized forums will provide simultaneous interpretation services in:
- Chinese
- English
- French
CTWPDA & WWF Specialized Forum 2
The China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) will jointly organize Specialized Forum 2.
Under the theme:
Digital Intelligence Empowerment and Innovative Development
The forum will focus on:
Resources, Markets, and Trade
It will explore how domestic and international enterprises can work together to build a sustainable timber trading system and promote high-quality development of the timber and wood products industry amid a changing global political and economic environment.
Date:
Morning of September 23, 2026
Venue:
Galaxy International Convention Center, Macao, China
Main Topics of Specialized Forum 2
1. Global Timber and Wood Products Market Trends in Key Regions
The forum will focus on:
- Characteristics of China’s tropical timber market
- European market access requirements, including EUDR
- Tropical timber supply and processing policies in Africa
- Opportunities and challenges for Southeast Asian timber processing industries
Experts and industry leaders will analyze the impact of global economic conditions, geopolitical developments, and changes in international trade patterns, while discussing future market trends.
2. Transformation and Innovation Practices in Resources, Markets, and Trade
The forum will share corporate transformation and innovation cases related to resources, markets, and trade.
It will explore applications of:
- Digital and intelligent technologies
- Green finance
- Innovative business models
The goal is to support the timber industry’s transition from traditional models toward sustainable and higher-value development, while helping enterprises respond to global supply chain changes.
3. Building Efficient Collaboration Across the Timber Industry Chain
The forum will focus on the application of:
- New products
- New technologies
- New business models
- New concepts
in the fields of resources, markets, and trade.
The discussion will explore ways to enhance technological capabilities, increase product value, strengthen supply chain resilience, and improve competitiveness in products and services.
Key Discussion Topics
- Current Situation and Characteristics of China’s Tropical Timber and Wood Products Market
- Sustainable Timber Supply Chain Management in Europe — Understanding EUDR
- African Tropical Timber Supply, Processing Policies, and Market Conditions
- New Global Trade Landscape — Opportunities and Challenges for Southeast Asian Timber Processing Industries
- Corporate Transformation and Innovation Practices in Resources, Markets, and Trade
- Digital Technologies Empowering High-Quality Development of the Timber Industry
- New Product Launches: Emerging Market Trends, New Consumption Patterns, and New Technologies in the Timber Industry
Participants
The specialized forum welcomes representatives from:
- Government departments
- Industry associations
- Consulting organizations
- Research institutions
- Forest owners
- Log suppliers
- Sawn timber suppliers
- Timber traders
- Logistics companies
- Financial institutions
- Downstream enterprises, including:
- Flooring manufacturers
- Wooden door manufacturers
- Wood-based panel producers
- Furniture manufacturers
- Media organizations
Registration
Please scan the QR code below to register.
Ma Siran
Phone / WeChat: 18810966598
Zhao Lantu
Phone / WeChat: 13671117212
Liu Shumin
Phone / WeChat: 17813122873
Han Jinghua
Phone / WeChat: 15584633095
We look forward to welcoming you and working together to open a new chapter of high-quality development for the global timber industry.
