21.11.2025
From November 10 to 21, ATIBT was actively represented in Belém at COP30 by its partner TEREA and Jeanicolau Simone de Lacerda, ATIBT's representative for Latin America. Together, they conveyed key messages about sustainable tropical forest management, certification, and nature-based solutions.
Under the leadership of Pierre Schueller, co-secretary of ATIBT's Carbon & Biodiversity Commission, several major events were organized around:
These sessions brought together numerous partners, OBC, Precious Woods, Planète Urgence, FSC, , Maderacre, Cities4Forests, Africa Energy Transition Services, and served as a reminder that sustainable forest management models are an essential bulwark against deforestation and a lever for local development.
Presentations by Jean Nicolau Simone de Lacerda: certification and communities at the heart of the debates
Jean Nicolau represented ATIBT at several key events:
“Building for Forests” – PEFC International & FAO (SW4SW)
During this dialogue, he presented how responsible construction using wood can create a direct link between sustainable management, urban resilience, and local jobs.
The key message was clear:
“Building with wood means building for forests”, integrating biodiversity, climate, and livelihoods.
He led an innovative debate on the recognition of intact natural forests as financial collateral, a crucial issue in a context where only degraded land is currently considered in banking operations.
Jean Nicolau presented a concrete case study from the Brazilian Amazon, showing how forest certification and the presence of an SFM company (Precious Woods) can profoundly transform a local community.
The Belém Call: a major step forward for the forests of the Congo Basin
On Congo Basin Day, a historic political milestone was reached with the official launch of the Belém Call. ATIBT was present as a representative of the Private Sector College of the CBFP (Congo Basin Forest Partnership).
This call commits countries and partners to:
Among the notable announcements:
This international commitment illustrates a growing desire to protect the world's second-largest tropical forest, which is essential to achieving climate goals.
A changing global context: the Tropical Forest Forever Facility
COP30 was also marked by President Lula's announcement of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, an innovative mechanism designed to reward the preservation of intact forests.
This fund aims to raise $25 billion to provide predictable annual payments to countries that preserve their forest cover.
COP30 is not over yet.
Many announcements, technical negotiations, and panel conclusions are still expected.
We will publish a second report next week to share the latest developments and final results relevant to the tropical forest-wood sector.
