Training Workshop on Tropical Timber Investment and Trade between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries and Cooperation on GGSC for Forest Products Successfully Held

From November 17 to 30, 2019, the Training Workshop on Tropical Timber Investment and Trade between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries and Cooperation on the Global Green Supply Chain for Forest Products was successfully held in Macau. This workshop was hosted by the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Macau Forum, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), and co-organized by the University of Macau and the Secretariat of Global Green Supply Chain of Forest Products (GGSC). In total, 23 participants have joined the workshop, including forestry officials, representatives from industry associations and companies from 9 countries, including Angola, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique and etc. Mr. Sun Tong, the Deputy Director of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of China, Ms. Xu Yingzhen, Permanent Secretary-General of the China-Portugal Forum (Macau), Dr. Gerhard Dieterle, Executive Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization, Ms. Li Huaying, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs of the Central Liaison Office in Macao and Head of the Trade Department, Mr. Ge Wei, Vice President of the University of Macau, Mr. Rafael Custodio Marques, Consul General of Mozambique in Macau, and Mr. Paulo Cunha Alves, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong attended the opening ceremony. Mr. Sun Tong, Ms. Xu Yingzhen, Mr. Gerhard Dieterle, and Mr. Ge Wei delivered opening remarks respectively.

In the nearly half-month training workshop, experts from ITTO shared the positive contributions and roles of forestry industry and green supply chain for forest products in mitigation of climate change and sustainable forest development, the world ’s tropical wood production and trade status and trends, as well as the background, significance, and promotion of the GGSC initiative launched by ITTO. Experts from the GGSC initiative secretariat shared the GGSC initiative ’s philosophy, major activities, and short- and medium-term development plans and road maps, etc. In addition, the expert also shared the following information: green supply chain in the country where the student is from, participation of their enterprises in the global green supply chain platform, the role of various bodies in the green supply chain, co-construction and sharing of the forest product index, wood resources and export status of countries where the participants are from. Experts from the China Real Estate Joint Purchasing Platform, China National Forest Products Industry Association, China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association, Nanjing Forestry University, Forest Green Carbon Asset Management Center of Chinese Academy of Forestry, Vanke Caizhu E-commerce Platform, Beixin International Wood Industry Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Wanli College, also introduced the situation of China's timber industry, advanced technology, management model, technological innovation, and how to promote the application of the legality and sustainability of timber and etc.

Through this workshop, participants from developing countries have gained a deeper understanding of the development of global forest products industry, and strengthen their knowledge in this field. At the same time, the workshop also effectively promoted forestry exchange and cooperation opportunities between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, deepened the knowledge and understanding of forestry departments and enterprises Portuguese-speaking countries, in terms of global green supply chain and the high-quality and sustainable development of the forestry industry. It will help promote cooperation between countries in trade and investment, natural resources and environmental protection, so as to jointly achieve sustainable development.

The workshop was very successful, experts gave detailed explanation of each topic, and participants paid great attention and constructive questions were asked and discussed. The workshop has been carried out in a friend and active atmosphere. Let’s have a quick review of the workshop.

International experts

Dr. Gerhard Dieterle, Executive Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization: Active contribution and role of the forestry industry and green forest product supply chain in mitigation of climate change and sustainable forest development, as well as the background, necessity, significance and achievements of the GGSC initiative supported by ITTO.

Mr. Li Qiang, Market and Economic Analyst of ITTO: The structure, objectives, tasks of ITTO, and the status and trends of global tropical timber production and trade. He also introduced that, based on the GGSC Initiative launched by Chinese leading enterprises in June 2018, an initiative of “building a global green timber supply chains network” was proposed during the International Forum of “Together Towards Global Green Supply Chains: A Forest Products Industry Initiative”. He invited all participants join this network, to jointly promote the healthy growth of the global wood industry.

Industrial experts

Ms. Qian Xiaoyu, Vice President of China National Forest Products Industry Association: Introduced the development of China's wood industry in recent years and shared the latest progress and achievements made by China's forest product manufacturing industry in processing technology and environmental protection.

Mr. Wu Shengfu, Vice President of China National Forest Products Industry Association and Chairman of Beijing Green Forest Certification Co., Ltd .: China's advanced experience in sustainable forest management, technology for efficient use of wood to enhance the added value of timber, etc.

Mr. Zhu Guangqian, Chief Expert of China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association: shared the status, trends and characteristics of China's imported timber market, discussed the impact of Sino-US trade disputes on global forest products trade, and shared the application space and prospects of timber in wood structure and other fields.

Professors with academic background

Professor Wu Zhihui, Nanjing Forestry University: shared the process of transformation and upgrading of the Chinese furniture industry to home furnishings, introduced the technological innovation and product innovation of Chinese furniture companies, and shared insights of intelligent development path of the future furniture industry.

Dr. Wang Jin , Zhejiang Wanli College and the Global Green Supply Chain Secretariat: introduced the functions and activities of the global green supply chain platform, and discussed the practices and experiences of participants’ countries in promoting legal and sustainable wood supply. In addition, Dr. Wang Jin also introduced the application prospects of blockchain technology in wood traceability.

Experts from enterprises

Mr. Ma Xinyuan, Partner of Wood Products of the China Real Estate Joint Purchasing Platform (ALPLP): How China promotes the green supply chain of forest products from the end customers. He introduced how does the ALPLP establish a green and sustainable wood products procurement system through standards development, qualification audits, and cooperation with responsible suppliers.

Dr. Zhang Fangwen, Director of Artificial Panel Products of Beixin International Wood Co., Ltd .: shared the status and development trend of global green supply chain for forest products. He believes that the forestry industry is a wealthy industry, involving climate change, biodiversity conservation, social development and other fields. As a practitioner of the forestry industry, it is necessary to review the development of the industry macroscopically, cautiously and comprehensively, and combine of the development of your own enterprise with environment protection, climate change and social development. Companies and countries that stand from the perspective of sustainable development of global forest products will take the leadership in the industry. How to give full play to the advantages of timber’s natural characteristics and its artistic value to better benefit human beings is the future of the wood industry.