ITTO, Mexico Strengthen Cooperation for Sustainable Forestry

The Executive Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Sheam Satkuru, made a working visit to Mexico, where she met with federal environmental authorities to strengthen cooperation between ITTO and the Mexican government in the sustainable development of the forestry sector.

During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), participants reviewed ITTO’s main initiatives in Mexico aimed at expanding technical cooperation and strengthening capacities for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems.

One of the projects supported by the organization, Strengthening Mayan Communities and Forests, seeks to boost the economy of four rural communities in the Yucatan Peninsula. The initiative has a budget of US$337,097 provided by Japan through an agreement with ITTO and the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR) and is led by UNAM’s Merida campus. Students and researchers study the local environment and support community enterprises that depend on sustainable resource management by offering training and business strategy development to ensure long-term success.

Research results are expected to be available in December. The final outputs will include books, an illustrated guide, a digital interactive map, audiovisual capsules, and a communication campaign in Spanish, Maya, and English. These materials will contribute to preserving and disseminating traditional knowledge while raising awareness of the importance of sustainable environmental practices.

“The commitment, multidisciplinary approach, and results of this project are a commendable example of how ITTO projects foster collaboration among a wide range of stakeholders, giving due value to Indigenous knowledge and raising awareness of sustainable forest management practices in the tropics,” said Satkuru.

During the meeting, Satkuru also highlighted Mexico’s role as a member of the organization and the importance of consolidating efforts to promote the legal and sustainable trade of forest products, capacity building, and ecosystem restoration.

The event was attended by Sergio Graf, Head, CONAFOR, as well as representatives from the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), the International Affairs Coordination Unit of SEMARNAT, and the Directorate General of Climate Action Policies (DGPAC).

Forestry Sector Outlook

According to CONAFOR, between 2000 and 2023, Mexico’s average annual roundwood production was 6.9 million m³, while average national consumption reached 22.53 million m³. The commission notes that this gap represents an opportunity to integrate more land into sustainable forest management and establish commercial plantations.

In recent years, the country’s timber production has declined, dropping by 1.6 million m³ between 2019 and 2023. In a diagnostic report included in its 2025–2030 institutional program, CONAFOR indicated that timber production remains poorly diversified. In 2023, production was distributed as follows: sawnwood accounted for 80.84%, firewood for 7.32%, cellulose products for 3.74%, and charcoal for 3.70%. The main timber-producing states are Michoacan, the State of Mexico, and Puebla.

Similarly, non-timber forest production, which includes products such as resin, fibers, waxes, forest soil, mushrooms, seeds, leaves, nopal pads, stems, fruits, moss, hay, and whole plants — has also decreased, totaling 134,012t in 2022. The leading states in non-timber forest production are Michoacan, Morelos, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Durango, Guerrero, and Coahuila.