At the UNFF20 (20th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests), tropical timber-producing countries united under the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC) called for stronger international recognition of their sustainable forestry systems – reinforcing their role as leaders in responsible trade and climate resilience.
Unlocking Sustainable Trade Through National Governance
The side event, “Unlocking the Potential of Timber and Bamboo in International Trade through Sustainable Forest Governance,” was co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia, BMRC, and INBAR. It emphasised that recognition of national forest legality and sustainability frameworks -developed through inclusive multistakeholder processes – is key to unlocking trade opportunities and incentivising good governance.
“This is more than policies or products,” the event underscored. Forest governance is at the heart of all forest-based commodities, including timber and bamboo. Trust, transparency, and systems led by nations must be the foundation of sustainable trade.
Producer Countries Leading the Way
Mrs Laksmi Wijayanti, Director General of Sustainable Production Forest Management, Ministry of Forestry (MoF), Indonesia, opened the session, stating: “Strong, transparent, and inclusive forest governance is the cornerstone of sustainability. Sustainable forest management must go hand in hand with sustainable trade practices. We need a collaborative approach that aligns trade measures with shared sustainability goals while recognising national contexts and capacities.”
Her remarks were followed by Dr. Krisdianto Sugiyanto, BMRC Co-Chair and Director of Public Relations and International Cooperation (MoF Indonesia), who outlined BMRC’s vision: “A global marketplace that values and rewards sustainable forest management, where tropical forests thrive, communities prosper, and climate resilience is strengthened.”
He further explained BMRC’s mission: to promote robust national forestry systems, advocate for meaningful market incentives, and foster transparent, inclusive policymaking across the forest sector.
Event Moderator Wilson Fernandes Negrão Júnior (Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change) reinforced the leadership of producer countries, stating:
“Producer countries are not waiting to be part of the solution – they are leading the way and demand recognition. Sustainable trade depends on credible national systems that are trusted and recognised across markets.”
Dr Hugh Brown, BMRC Co-Chair and CEO of Ghana Forestry Commission described BMRC as a growing movement – homegrown, credible, and designed to pass the test of international trust. “Let’s build something we own, something that works for us and earns recognition worldwide,” he urged.
The event also previewed BMRC’s forthcoming explainer video and endorsed its roadmap for piloting a proof-of-concept phase across member countries starting mid-2025. BMRC currently comprises Cameroon, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Liberia, and the Republic of Congo, with growing support from observer countries, strategic partners, and INGOs.
