Sustainable Timber Resources, Markets and Trade

Specialized Sub-forum 2

on Sustainable Timber Resources, Markets and Trade:

Digital Empowerment, Innovation-Driven Development

Time and Venue

 Time: 23 September 2026, 09:00-12:30

 Venue: Room 2

Co-organized by

 China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA)

 World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

 Background

The global economy is currently experiencing uncertainties with a predicted slowdown, regional divergences are significant, and global disruptions are prominent. The international timber trade and further-processing industries face both opportunities and challenges. With the rapid advancement of digital technologies and intelligent manufacturing, new business models and formats are emerging, continuously driving transformation and upgrading of the global timber and wood products industry chain.

At this critical stage of industry transformation, sustainable use of timber resources, innovation in trade models, and optimization of market systems have become core breakthroughs for the timber industry to overcome challenges and improve quality. Promoting the industry's transformation and upgrading toward high-end, brand-oriented, and intelligent development is a key measure to unlock new growth drivers and build a new industrial ecosystem for the global timber industry. This forum, as part of the high-level platform of the Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF), brings together global timber industry, government, enterprise, and research resources, creating an international and professional platform for exchange and collaboration, helping stakeholders explore new pathways for high-quality and sustainable development of the timber industry.

 Purpose

In 2026, the China Timber and Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) will continue to organize the "Sustainable Timber Resources, Markets and Trade Subforum" under the theme "Digital Empowerment, Innovation-Driven Development". Focusing on the three aspects of "resources, markets, and trade," the forum will explore how domestic and international enterprises can work together to build a sustainable timber trading system and a high-quality development timber and wood products market amidst the changing international political and economic environment.

 Main Contents

Timber and wood products market situation and trends in key global regions: Focus on the characteristics of China's tropical timber market, EU market access policies (EUDR), Africa's tropical timber supply and processing industry policies, and the opportunities and challenges of Southeast Asia's processing industry. Senior experts and executives from leading enterprises will be invited to analyze the impact of the international economic situation, geopolitics, and new global trade patterns on the industry, and to forecast future development trends based on current market dynamics.

Transformation and innovation practices in resources, markets, and trade: Share corporate case studies on transformation and innovation in resources, markets, and trade, explore the application of intelligent tools, green finance, etc., in the timber industry, promote the industry's transition from traditional models to sustainable, high-value-added models, and help enterprises adapt to global supply chain changes.

Building an efficient and coordinated development pattern for the timber industry chain: Focus on the application of new products, new technologies, new models, and new concepts in the fields of "resources, markets, and trade," enhance the technological content and product value added across the industry chain, and strengthen the resilience of the industry chain as well as the competitiveness of enterprises' products and services.

 Key Topics

• China's tropical timber and wood products market situation and characteristics
• Sustainable wood supply chain management in Europe – Interpretation of EUDR
• African tropical timber supply and processing industry policies and market status
• New pattern of international trade – Opportunities and challenges for the timber processing industry in Southeast Asia
• Corporate transformation and innovation practices in resources, markets, and trade
• Intelligent technologies enabling high-quality development of the wood industry
• New product launch: new trends, new consumption, and new technologies in the timber market

 Participants

• Government departments, industry associations, consulting organizations, research institutes, etc.
• Industry representatives such as forest owners, log suppliers, lumber suppliers, traders, logistics providers, financial experts, etc.
• Floor, door, wood-based panel, and furniture manufacturers, builders and other timber downstream enterprises.
• News media.

 Contact Person

CTWPDA:

Ms. Ma Siran–siran.ma@cnwood.org

Email: int@cnwood.org