.jpg)
News
Legal timber and sustainable forest management were featured at the Interzum Bogota fair alongside WWF.
Bogotá, May 2026. Interzum Bogotá, the industrial trade fair for furniture and wood, was the venue where nearly 200 exhibitors from 19 countries gathered for four days. One of the partners of this event was the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which was responsible for raising awareness and showcasing the various initiatives that seek to strengthen sustainable forestry.
“The forestry sector, especially community forestry, faces significant challenges. Together with the Ministry of Environment and various organizations, we have led efforts to reduce the rate of illegal logging in Colombia, which currently stands between 30% and 40%, a practice that directly affects local communities. Events like Interzum Bogotá allow us to showcase these types of wood, identify new opportunities, and open market niches for species from natural forests within the forestry industry,” explained Jhon Manrique, specialist and forestry manager at WWF Colombia.
WWF's participation in Interzum Bogotá fulfilled three objectives. One of these objectives was to raise the profile of community organizations, which are part of the forestry initiatives they work with. A total of 24 community and private forestry initiatives participated in the fair, bringing together forest producers and processors from the sector.
The second focus was on business matchmaking sessions where organizations could offer their products and services, engage with the market, and understand how forestry and commercial dynamics are functioning in the region for both the national and international markets. Approximately 95 business meetings were requested in this space, reflecting market interest in initiatives related to sustainable forest management and legal timber.
And, as a third focus, the academic program addressed the experiences, challenges, opportunities, and needs of this segment of the industry. Entities, organizations, and partners from the forestry sector participated, achieving positive results in academic and discussion forums focused on sustainability, forest governance, and productive development.
