NewsBamboo shows up at 2024 World Forestry Industry Conference
Key conference showcases latest technologies, emerging industries and new trends in the forestry sector, with bamboo making a special appearance.
The 2024 World Forestry Industry Conference convened from 22 to 24 November 2024 in Nanning, the capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
Under the theme “Green Forestry Industry, Bright Cooperation Future—Innovation-Driven High-Quality Development of the Forestry Industry,” the conference welcomed high-level leaders and representatives from international forestry organizations and diplomatic missions from over 30 countries, alongside representatives from the private sector and academia.
Professor Lu Wenming, Deputy Director General of INBAR, delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony. He introduced INBAR as the first intergovernmental organization headquartered in China, and the only international organization dedicated to the sustainable development of bamboo and rattan. INBAR has recently welcomed the Oriental Republic of Uruguay into its network as the 51st Member State, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen partnerships across the Belt and Road Initiative, and as of 2022, launched the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (BASP) Initiative with China, followed by the Global Action Plan for Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic (2023–2030) in 2023. INBAR is also cooperating within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation for bamboo industry development across the continent and promoting the establishment of the China-Africa Bamboo Center under construction in Ethiopia. More relevant to Guangxi’s forestry efforts, INBAR is planning to open two new offices in southern China to strengthen cooperation with bamboo and rattan development in the region. Home to one-fifth of China’s total bamboo resources, Guangxi is well positioned for tapping into the potential of its rich natural resource base, with enabling policy frameworks already in place such as the Three-Year Action Plan for Guangxi’s Trillion-Dollar Forestry Industry and the Opinions on Accelerating the Innovative Development of Guangxi’s Bamboo Industry. A bamboo industry development plan is also under formulation for 2024–2030. These relevant policies and plans can play a major role in harnessing Guangxi’s abundant bamboo in a manner that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. INBAR is willing to work with all parties to deepen exchange and cooperation on bamboo and rattan and accelerate the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Bamboo lamps on display during the exhibition.
After the Opening Ceremony concluded, participants toured the exhibition ground, where enterprises and international organizations displayed a diverse range of forest products, including many made from bamboo. The BASP Initiative was also highlighted at the exhibition hosted by Anhui province to raise awareness of bamboo as a sustainable material capable of replacing plastics, particularly the harmful single-use plastics that make up anywhere from one-third to one-half of global plastic consumption.
The conference also featured an entire afternoon’s event focused on “International Wood and Bamboo Structure Architecture Industry Chain and Supply Chain Matchmaking Meeting,” revealing the growing recognition for bamboo as a low-carbon, flexible and strong building material.
