Indonesia presents BMRC at Lao PDR Forest Policy event
On the 3rd of June 2026, Dr. Krisdianto Sugiyanto, Co-Chair of the BMRC and Director of Forest Revenue and Forest Products Administration at the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, was invited to the “Forest Policy Dialogue on Timber Value Chains and Business” session in Lao PDR (Figure 1). This event was organised by the Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB) project – a joint effort of the Lao Government, Germany, and the EU – and coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
The policy dialogue aimed to bring stakeholders together to build a shared understanding of timber supply and demand in Lao PDR. This understanding was intended to enable decision-makers to formulate the policy foundations necessary to support sustainable forestry and advance the country’s wood value chain. During the event, Dr. Krisdianto delivered a presentation to introduce and provide updates on BMRC activities to a stakeholder exchange session specifically focused on wood processing and exports in Lao PDR (Figure 2). Participants included members of the Forestry Sub-Sector Working Group (FFSSW) which comprised of government stakeholders, timber companies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), trade associations, civil society organisations, academia, and relevant development partners.
In addition to information about the BMRC, this event provided the committee with a deeper understanding of current government strategies and timber production trends in Lao PDR. It also offered valuable insights into stakeholder perspectives regarding the improvement in timber production and the development of trust in the international market.
Sustainable forest management in Lao PDR
Lao PDR is making significant progress in sustainable forest development, guided by key policies and strategies such as the updated Forestry Strategy 2035 and the Wood Processing Sector Export Roadmap (2021-2025). These strategies focus heavily on shifting away from a reliance on sourcing from natural forests and toward expanding a sustainable raw material base for the wood processing sector. Furthermore, the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030) sets ambitious targets for the expansion of forestry and wood processing exports. These goals include generating greater export volume and revenue by enhancing value-added production, diversifying markets, and improving traceability and certification.
As a member-led initiative, the BMRC’s mission focusses on encouraging, endorsing, and promoting robust national systems in international markets while facilitating knowledge sharing to strengthen forest governance and foster continuous improvement.
The BMRC’s core values – which include nationally mandated legality, robust integrity, local ownership, transparency, inclusivity, and trade-driven recognition – collectively provide a pragmatic and cooperative framework for promoting sustainable forest management globally. To support this, a modular framework is currently under development to help member countries effectively showcase their National Forestry Systems. Concurrently, the BMRC continuously engages with markets and relevant stakeholders in the global trade of timber and forest products through active participation in global forums and events.
Dr. Krisdianto explained that activities within the BMRC community are also open to non-member countries, for instance, in an observer capacity. To date, alongside the six founding members, two additional countries are involved as observers: Gabon and Papua New Guinea. At the end, he expressed his hope that Laos would join the BMRC.
