International collaborative partnerships are
exemplified by efforts like this International Conference on Sustainable
Management of Tropical Forests, a joint effort between the International
Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the Sarawak Timber Association, the Forest
Department Sarawak and WWF-Malaysia.
It is undisputable that sustainable forest
management (SFM) and associated legal and sustainable timber supply chains are vital
for ensuring the longevity of tropical forests, addressing both conservation
and responsible consumption. This lies at the core of the ITTO: the
Organization’s dual – and mutually reinforcing – goals are to promote SFM and
legal and sustainable timber trade. As a Malaysian national and the ITTO’s
Executive Director, I am proud that my country has made great strides towards
achieving them and for my organization to have supported Malaysia in its
sustainability journey. ITTO has funded 44 projects in Malaysia since 1989, valued
at over USD 24 million. Currently, there are two ongoing projects in Sarawak’s
Upper Baram Forest Area.
Dispelling the misconception that sustainable
timber harvesting equates to deforestation is critical. Legal and sustainable timber
is recognized as an environmentally friendly, renewable, carbon-storing and
recyclable material – a cornerstone of sustainability. To fully achieve the
myriad benefits of forest conservation and sustainable use, much more
investment, coupled with sustainable financial mechanisms, is urgently needed.
I hope this conference will highlight this, while strengthening strategic
partnerships between governments, the private sector and civil society.
SFM and legal and sustainable supply chains
make significant contributions to climate-change mitigation and adaptation and
several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG
3 (good health and wellbeing), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 11
(sustainable cities and communities), SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 17
(partnerships for the goals).
I am confident that this conference will further guide
us towards a future in which SFM is a universal reality. Thank you for your
dedication and commitment to building a sustainable future together.
Sarawak Timber Association
(STA) is a key institution actively fostering collaboration between its
members, the government and international organisations to advance the timber
industry, ensuring policy alignment, market compliance, and sustainability
across both upstream and downstream activities in Sarawak.
In line with our
recognition of tropical forests’ crucial role in climate mitigation and
biodiversity conservation, promoting sustainable forest management (SFM) has
become an inherent mission of STA. STA
has committed significant efforts to promote sustainable practices and
responsible resource management, aiming to ensure the well-being of our forests
in the long term. Combined with a shared global concern for forest conservation
and environmental challenges, the organisation of this International Conference
is therefore timely. Against this backdrop, I warmly welcome all participants
to contribute to this crucial undertaking.
The Conference is a vital
platform for collaboration among policymakers, industry experts, and other stakeholders
to emphasise the importance of SFM for promoting good governance, environmental
conservation and social responsibilities. It covers diverse topics such as
tropical forest management, bioeconomy, net-zero initiatives, global market
trends, insights from various forest concessions, reduced impact logging,
climate-smart practices and challenges in the timber industry. It will also
explore various green financing options to support SFM practices, marking a significant
milestone in bringing together expertise and fostering a call to action.
Our goal is to explore effective
strategies for encouraging more permanent forests with sustainable tenure through
a paradigm shift in SFM supported by transparency and good governance in
licensing and reporting. For government bodies, environmentalists, socialists, non-governmental
organisations, timber industry or media alike, transparent consultation is key
to achieving a balanced win-win outcome that incorporate pragmatic measures.
With that, on behalf
of STA I extend my heartfelt appreciation to participants, speakers,
moderators, and partners for their invaluable contributions that have been
instrumental in ensuring the success of the Conference.
Click here for the presentation file.
With
great pleasure and enthusiasm, I extend a warm welcome to all distinguished
guests, speakers, and delegates to the International Conference on Sustainable
Management of Tropical Forests. I am honoured to be a part of this significant
event that brings together experts, researchers, and practitioners from across
the globe to delve into the critical issues surrounding the sustainable
management of our precious tropical forests.
Forest Department Sarawak takes immense pride in
being the key implementing agency dedicated to the conservation and sustainable
use of our state's rich forest resources. Through strategic initiatives,
innovative policies, and collaborative efforts, we strive to strike a delicate
balance between meeting the growing demands for resources and ensuring long-term
health and resilience.
This
conference serves as a pivotal platform for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and
best practices among global thought leaders in tropical forest management. In
an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the importance of
collaborative knowledge-sharing cannot be overstated. The diverse perspectives
and experiences brought forth by our esteemed speakers will undoubtedly
contribute to the development of holistic and effective solutions that
transcend geographical boundaries.
As we engage in fruitful discussions and forge
new connections, let us collectively reaffirm our commitment to the sustainable
management of tropical forests. By fostering cooperation and mutual learning,
we can amplify our impact and work towards a future where the delicate balance
between human needs and ecological preservation is maintained. May our
collective efforts pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for
our tropical forests.
Click here for the presentation file.
WWF-Malaysia has always been on a conservation agenda for the benefit of people and nature. The Sarawak Conservation Programme strategy is developed with inputs from partners and stakeholders from government agencies, private sectors, academia and local communities.
The conservation of forests is one of our key targets, and is aligned with the government’s policy to set aside 6 million ha Permanent Forest Estates and 1 million ha Totally Protected Areas.
One of our key work is helping the government to identify priority conservation areas, as a reference for sustainable land use planning which include the conservation of forests. Other work include the promotion and capacity building on High Conservation Values, wildlife surveys inside forest management units, and engagement with and empowerment of local communities. Community empowerment can equip affected stakeholders such as the communities, with the necessary and right knowledge to participate in sustainable forest management.
Conservation of forests and our natural resources require strong partnerships among all sectors. This international conference comes at the right time when efforts must intensify as we progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and 2050 Net Zero target.
The vast forests of Sarawak have crucial roles in Malaysia’s climate and biodiversity commitments, and I echo the efforts made by the Sarawak Government in keeping these forests.
Forests that are sustainably managed can bring in economic, social and ecological benefits. Above all, the function of forests in mitigating climate change impacts is of utmost importance. Therefore, all parties should adopt multifaceted and innovative approaches in the conservation of forests, aligned to these commitments, and to work ever more closely together.
As a member of the organising committee, WWF-Malaysia welcomes all speakers and participants to the conference and I wish you a fruitful engagement over the next two days.
Click here for the presentation file.
Ms Satkuru was appointed as ITTO’s
first female Executive Director at the 57th session of the International
Tropical Timber Council in December 2021.
Ms Satkuru has nearly 30 years of
experience in tropical forest policy and the wood products industry. She is a
specialist in international trade regulations, with strong skills and
experience in international negotiations, legal and policy analysis,
communications and public affairs. She has served as a technical expert, adviser and board member in several
capacities. She holds a Master in Corporate and Commercial Law degree from King’s
College, the University of London and was called to the English Bar in 1993.
A citizen of Malaysia, Ms Satkuru was ITTO
Director of Operations between October 2017 and January 2022 and was based in
Europe for Malaysia prior to joining the ITTO. Throughout her career, she has focused very
much on sustainable tropical forestry, linking the private sector and
communities, international policies and legal and sustainable international
trade in forest products/industries.
Richard is a third-generation forester that has been involved in a range of forestry operations and projects since the early 2000s. He brings a wealth of knowledge facilitating stakeholder engagement as well as technical and managerial experience running a commercial agroforestry syndicate in South East Australia and Laos. He has held various positions in a range of organisations over the last 15 years throughout the Asia Pacific focused on sustainable forestry and trade. For the last 9 years he has managed PEFC International’s South East Asia program. He is committed to developing feasible certification processes for forestry, especially including smallholders to meet international market requirements.
Title of presentation: PEFC’s climate-smart Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
Climate smart forestry
serves as the foundational pillar for achieving sustainable forest management. Such
as wood working industries,
manufacturing pulp, paper and other fibre-based products. Bio-energy industry with
a total turnover of over 520 billion euros (around 18% of the bioeconomy). Certified wood products under experienced and
international frameworks should be celebrated on their ability to Sequester CO2
by forest growth, Storage of the carbon of harvested circular Forest-Based
products and substitution replacing carbon-intensive and fossil-based materials
and energy with Forest-Based materials
Founded on stakeholder
consensus decision making, especially for smallholders, PEFC International is
known for its bottom-up approach to developing and endorsing national forestry
systems. PEFC services 48 national members and is the leading forestry
certification system globally, with 290 million hectares and over 20,000
companies certified.
For PEFC, an inclusive
approach is critical in developing international standards that balance the
three pillars of sustainability (environmentally sound, economically viable and
socially just) without excluding national and international systems respecting
countries sovereign capabilities. Through standards that are tailored to
national operating standards and become integrated into the carbon cycle.
This presentation will cover both compliance and
voluntary markets and their multiple mechanisms for synchronisation with the
ecosystem markets for continuous improvement to meet stakeholders' needs and
expectations implement sustainable forestry and provide access to trade for its
many global members
Lawrence Chia is currently the CEO of the Samling Group which have businesses in automobiles, properties, timber, infrastructure oil palm with operations in a number of countries globally and have more than 15,000 employees.
Since joining Samling 7 years ago , he has embarked on transforming the various businesses embedding ESG and Sustainability initiatives
Prior to joining Samling, Lawrence was the CEO of Deloitte China, and was a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) Executive Committee based in New York and DTTL Asia Pacific Executive Committee based in Hong Kong.
He is a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of the Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and also a member of the Malaysia Institute of Accountants.
Jason Hon received his doctorate degree from the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan and his MSc in Ecology from Aberdeen University, Scotland. He has worked in the field of conservation for almost 20 years. He has carried out camera trapping activities in various localities in Sarawak, including inside logging areas and oil palm plantations. In Sarawak, he has traveled extensively to various parts in the interior for work, and have worked with different communities in promoting communities’ involvements in managing natural resources, especially by encouraging and empowering their active participation in co-management and conservation of forests and wildlife habitats. Currently, he holds the position of Associate Director of Sarawak and Conservation Science, WWF-Malaysia and oversees the implementation of the programme, with a staff capacity of about 30 people. His roles include leading, overseeing and coordinating the design and implementation of WWF-Malaysia’s conservation strategies in Sarawak, aligned to local, national and transboundary conservation agenda, and WWF’s Global conservation outcomes; developing and maintaining strategic partnerships including project funding proposals; deploying capacity and creating program management and monitoring processes. He is also a member of the WWF-Malaysia Management Team; and heads the Conservation GIS Unit. He provides support to civil societies and nature-based conservation bodies on project proposal development and technical report writing; and conducts public talks and lectures on conservation related subject matters. He has served as a member of the Standards Review Committee of Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme; and RSPO Peatland Working Group; and is presently a member of the SDG CSO-Alliance Sarawak Chapter and also a Board member of FSC Malaysia.
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