13.05.2026
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the opening of the Carrefour International du Bois (June 2–4, Nantes), ATIBT is organizing a roundtable discussion on FSC-certified community forestry supply chains in the Maya Biosphere Reserve. An international event featuring a Guatemalan delegation, including leading representatives of forest communities.
As part of the Carrefour International du Bois, ATIBT is organizing a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, June 2, dedicated to FSC-certified community forestry supply chains in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala.
This event will bring together a high-level Guatemalan delegation, composed of representatives from forestry companies, leaders of community organizations, and key technical experts. Notably present will be managers from ACOFOP (Association of Forest Communities of Petén) and FORESCOM (a community forestry enterprise in Petén), pillars of the community forest management model in the region, as well as experts from the Rainforest Alliance, recognized for their expertise in certification, sustainable management, and market access. The delegation will also include several Guatemalan forestry companies, brought together under the leadership of GIZ Guatemala.
This roundtable will highlight an exemplary model of sustainable management, based on the direct involvement of local communities, FSC certification, and the responsible use of forest resources. Discussions will focus in particular on species diversification, the development of new wood products, and strategies for accessing international markets, particularly in Europe.
ConForMa: Strengthening Community Supply Chains and Their Market Access
This initiative is part of the ConForMa project “Toward Collaborative Forest Management of the Future in the Maya Biosphere Reserve,” a flagship project led by CIRAD and funded by the French Global Environment Facility, aimed in particular at consolidating and developing FSC-certified community forestry supply chains in Guatemala.
The ConForMa project aims to strengthen the technical, organizational, and commercial capacities of community concessions. In particular, the project supports the diversification of the timber supply through the identification and promotion of new tree species, the production of technical data (Tropix-CIRAD species fact sheets), and the adaptation of products to market expectations.
It also supports the development of new commercial outlets by facilitating connections with international buyers and enhancing the visibility of timber from the Maya Biosphere Reserve in European markets. The objective is twofold: to increase the income of forest communities and to consolidate an effective sustainable management model that contributes to the conservation of vulnerable forest ecosystems, generates jobs, and is recognized internationally.
ATIBT plays a central role in this initiative by leveraging its market expertise, helping to structure the supply (notably through technical data sheets developed in partnership with CIRAD), and promoting these certified woods at international events such as the CIB.
Through this roundtable, ATIBT reaffirms its commitment to sustainable, inclusive tropical timber supply chains connected to international markets.
Practical information and registration:
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Canopée 2 Room (Hall XXL), Carrefour International du Bois – Nantes
Interpretation: French – English – Spanish
