Kochi hosts 5th World Teak Conference 2025 on sustainability

The four-day conference will feature scientific sessions, B2B meetings, panel discussions, and field visits, strengthening India’s role in global teak knowledge and sustainable forestry practices.

Kochi will host the 5th World Teak Conference (WTC) from September 17 to 20 at the Grand Hyatt, bringing the global spotlight on sustainable teak forestry and trade. This is the first time India is hosting the event, which is expected to draw more than 350 delegates from 40 countries.

Themed “Sustainable Development of the Global Teak Sector – Adapting to Future Markets and Environments”, the conference will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the global teak industry, with discussions on socioeconomic trends, genetics, silviculture, technology, environment, and trade.

Jointly organised by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) under KSCSTE, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Chang, TEAKNET, and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Japan, with technical support from FAO, IUFRO, and MAFF Japan, the event will serve as a global platform for policymakers, researchers, traders, and farmers to shape the future of teak.

Kerala’s Nilambur: Heritage and future of teak forestry

Kannan C.S. Warrier, Director, KFRI, said: “Hosting the World Teak Conference in Kerala is a proud moment for India. With Nilambur being the cradle of teak plantations and home to the world’s first Teak Museum, Kerala represents both the heritage and the future of teak forestry. The conference will help chart sustainable pathways for the global teak sector while strengthening Kerala’s role as a knowledge hub.”

The four-day event will feature scientific sessions, B2B meetings, panel discussions, and field visits, making it a landmark gathering for the global teak community.

As a co-organiser, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) brings its longstanding expertise in tropical forest management, trade, and sustainable development to the conference. ITTO has supported numerous teak-related projects across producer countries and continues to play a central role in promoting sustainable practices that link local communities with global markets. Through this collaboration, ITTO aims to foster knowledge exchange and international cooperation, thereby strengthening the sustainability of the teak sector, said a press release.

Published on September 15, 2025

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