One Forest Summit
Ministerial Session – March 1, 2023 – 10:15 to 11:45am

The sustainable exploitation of forests and the valorisation of wood products

Sustainable forest management, wood for construction and energy

Objective

This ministerial session will convene experts from various fields to discuss sustainability and the use of
tropical woods, particularly in the construction sector. The meeting will focus on the latest
developments in sustainable forestry, certification, and in situ wood processing. The aim is to
exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore solutions for more sustainable and
responsible use of tropical woods, especially in the construction industry.

The experts will bring their unique perspectives and expertise to the table, with the goal of addressing
the key challenges facing the sustainable use of tropical woods in construction. This meeting will be an
opportunity for professionals in the industry to collaborate and find ways to promote sustainable
forestry, support local communities, and create sustainable supply chains.

Speakers

Chair:
–  Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France

Rapporteur:
–  Gagan Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, ARISE

Moderator:
– Benoît Jobbé-Duval, Chief Executive Officer, International Tropical Timber Technical
Association (ATIBT)

Panelists: – Kim CARTENSEN, International Director, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – Jean BAKOUMA, Director of Congo Basin Conservation, WWF International – Eric CHEZEAUX, Director of CSR and Certification, Rougier Gabon – Markus BRUTSCH, Chief Executive Officer, Precious Wood-CEB – Hubert Bled ELI NLOH, President of Ebyeng Community Forest – Michael BERGER, Executive Director, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) International> – Hans FAHRNI, Chief Executive Officer, Faco construction – Mokena MAKEKA, Principal, Dalberg advisors

Closing speaker:
– Hervé Martial MAIDOU, Executive Secretary of the Central African Forest Commission
(COMIFAC)

Outline

1. Opening remarks (10 min)

– Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, France


2. Setting the scene (10min)

– Benoît Jobbé-Duval, Chief Executive Officer, International Tropical Timber Technical
Association (ATIBT)

Highlighting the challenges of sustainable wood production and valorization of wood products.


3. What is the sustainability status of forest exploitation in the Congo Basin? (10 min)

– Jean BAKOUMA, Director of Congo Basin Conservation, WWF International
Inventory of the sustainability of logging in the Congo Basin: deforestation, rights of local
communities, certification rates, etc.


4. What difference can certification make in terms of sustainability and market
opportunities?
 (15 min)

– Kim CARTENSEN, International Director, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
– Eric CHEZEAUX, Director of CSR and Certification, Rougier Gabon
– Markus BRUTSCH, Chief Executive Officer, Precious Wood-CEB
– Michael BERGER, Executive Director, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest
Certification (PEFC) International

Opportunities and challenges of the certification in the Congo Basin. How to fight deforestation and guarantee economic development? What are the obstacles and solutions?


5. What innovative solutions for a more sustainable forest management? (15 min)

– Hubert Bled ELI NLOH, Président Forêt Communautaire Ebyeng
Feedback on the community management of the Ebyeng forest. How local community can contribute to sustainable forest management? Are there scalable models for other products/regions?


6. How to increase the value of tropical woods? (15 min)

– Hans FAHRNI, PDG Faco construction
– Mokena MAKEKA, Principal, Dalberg advisors Local processing opportunities and use of wood in the construction sector. What are the obstacles
and levers?


7. Closing remarks (10 min)

– Hervé Martial MAIDOU, Executive Secretary of the Central African Forest Commission
(COMIFAC)