Join us in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, on 8 May for a day of exploration of global trends in forest certification and trade. Don’t miss this chance to connect with policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to shape the future of responsible forest management.
Discover how international policy developments - from the Paris Agreement and Global Biodiversity Framework to emerging regulations - are reshaping forest management and wood-based supply chains. Join us for the PEFC Forest Forum 2025, organised by PEFC International and Vietnamese Academy of Forest Science (VAFS).
Tailored for businesses in Viet Nam and neighbouring countries, as well as PEFC members globally, this event showcases how PEFC Chain of Custody and Sustainable Forest Management certifications not only meet regulatory demands but also serve as powerful drivers for long-term value creation, resilience,and innovation in forest-based industries.
Through expert insights, real-world case studies,and interactive discussions, you’ll learn how to navigate new market opportunities, meet evolving public and private sector demands, and leverage emerging technologies.
This event highlights PEFC’s dual role as a globally recognised certification system responding to policy requirements and a robust framework that works hand in hand with businesses and forest owners to lead in safeguarding ecosystems, protecting biodiversity, and supporting local livelihoods.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with policymakers, industry leaders, and sustainability experts to shape the future of responsible forest management – driving both policy compliance and long-lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits. Reserve your spot today!
The PEFC Forest Forum 2025 takes place on Thursday 8 May in the Hotel Equatorial Ho Chi Minh City, located where the borders of the city’s four main district intersect, in the heart and true centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
Registration costs just 99 USD - register now to secure your spot!
The day will begin with a welcome from PEFC International CEO Michael Berger and Hoang Trung, Vice Minister of Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, introduced by our moderator Sara Bray, Senior Policy Manager, Australian Forest Products Association.
Exploring the pivotal global forces redefining forest certification, from climate initiatives to biodiversity and deforestation targets. Learn how businesses can harness these shifts to ensure responsible sourcing, align with market demands, and strengthen their contribution to sustainability.
Speaker: Jennifer Conje, Director, Forest Management Division, ITTO
Examining how transformative global frameworks - like the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework, and emergy ESG guidelines - are shaping the future of forests and the communities they support. Panellists will discuss how these processes impact companies global and how PEFC is evolving to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and enhance social well-being by offering innovative pathways towards resilient, inclusive forest management that serves both people and the planet.
Speakers: World Bank, FAO, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and PEFC International Board.
Hear from industry leaders and experts on how PEFC certification can unlock new markets, bolster brand credibility, and drive measurable environmental and social benefits. Discover real-world success stories that illustrate the value added impact of responsible forest management.
Speakers: VIFOREST, SEDEX, Green Global Supply Chains Initiative (ITTO-GGSC), Sumitomo Forestry, and PEFC International.
In this interactive session we'll hear from a range of technology providers to learn about how innovations in technology and certification can address timber legality and forest biodiversity.
Speakers: LiveEO, Deeplai, VAFS/RIFI, and Marven Blue.
A range of stakeholders will share an overview of Viet Nam’s forestry sector, the experience of international exporters to Viet Nam, an overview of the international and national furniture industry, trends of wood product sourcing and certification in North America.
Speakers: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Canadian Wood, HAWA, SFI, and VIFOREST.
Industry and policy experts will share how PEFC’s EUDR module has been rolled out in Viet Nam, the impacts of the EU’s forestry policy framework, regional regulatory issues for biomass and how ASEAN working groups are using certification.
Speakers: Vietnam Rubber Group, PEFC International, Japanese Biomass Association, and AFIC/Lazy Boy.
Join us for an exciting two-day trip into the heart of Viet Nam’s sustainable forestry and manufacturing industries, taking place on 9-10 May. This field trip offers a unique opportunity to witness how local and international leaders are advancing practices and sustainability standards in forestry, furniture production, and rubber manufacturing.
This field trip is perfect for professionals and sustainability enthusiasts eager to expand their knowledge and network in sustainable development and forestry industries. Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot!
Don’t miss the chance to witness sustainability in action and gain first-hand insights from leading experts. Join us on this immersive journey into Viet Nam’s sustainable future and be inspired to make a difference!
Along with two activity-filled days, the field trip covers accommodation and dinner on the Friday night, lunch on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast on Saturday morning. We will arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City, stopping at both the airport and the Equatorial Hotel, in the late afternoon on Saturday.
PEFC is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organisation, we promote sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. PEFC provides forest owners, from the large to the small, with a tool to demonstrate their responsible practices, while empowering companies to buy sustainably.
The PEFC label enables consumers to recognise products originating from a PEFC-certified forest - a forest managed in line with the strictest environmental, social and economic requirements.
The Vietnamese Academy of Forest Science (VAFS), through the Vietnam Forest Certification Office (VFCO), implements the Vietnam Forest Certification Scheme (VFCS). VFCS was endorsed by PEFC in 2020.
Implementing sustainable forest management and forest certification is an important goal of the forestry sector in the period of 2021 – 2030 and a vision towards 2050, directly contributing to Viet Nam’s goal of sustainable development, efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, especially the goal of achieving net zero emissions in 2050. VAFS/VFCS aims to increase the added value of forestry through the application of qualified varieties and appropriate forest management measures, improving and enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biodiversity; ensuring the legal source of wood materials to meet the certification requirements of the market.
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