Marking our inaugural foray into the global stage of sustainable forestry, Maya Lumber was privileged to be invited to the Selva Maya Conservation Timber Summit. This pivotal event, held in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on June 15-16, 2023, and coordinated by Rainforest Alliance in collaboration with Pilot Projects, was a gathering of diverse and experienced stakeholders in the sustainable timber industry.
Our participation as a new and emerging company in this summit was a significant step in aligning with our vision for sustainable and responsible forestry. The summit focused on the Selva Maya - the largest rainforest north of the Amazon - and brought together a dynamic mix of tropical wood buyers, investors, local ejidos, NGOs, and government bodies, united in their commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of this crucial ecological region.
Context and Importance of Selva Maya:
The Selva Maya, spanning southeast Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, is internationally recognised for its community-level forest management, rich biodiversity, carbon storage, and cultural significance. Rainforest Alliance has been instrumental in this region, working to reduce deforestation and improve forest conservation while enhancing the livelihoods of local and indigenous communities.
Goals & Objectives:
The summit aimed to facilitate agreements between forest ejidos of Selva Maya, the private sector, NGOs, and government agencies. It focused on strengthening strategic alliances, promoting sustainable forest management in the timber industry, and connecting ejidos with financing and investment opportunities.
Event Highlights:
- The first day featured activities to deepen relationships and understanding of the natural and cultural landscape, including networking breakfasts, workshops, and reflective sessions on key value chain perspectives.
- The second day involved short linking sessions, roundtables, and business meetings to explore collaboration, investment, and business agreements.
Key Outcomes:
- Formation of a Working Group among OSC, Government, Private Sector, and Forest Ejidos to revalue the Yucatán Peninsula and Selva Maya wood value chain.
- Proposed collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Technical Association (ATIBT) to advise the Working Group.
- Positioning of the region and its value proposition in the European market.
- Commercial linkages formed between forest ejidos and various entities, including Precious Woods and Grupo Xcaret.
- Ejidos Nuevo Becal and Caoba agreed to collaborate to close gaps in wood processing, focusing on drying, sawing, and transportation.
Conclusion:
The Selva Maya Conservation Timber Summit, 2023, was a groundbreaking event that not only spotlighted the Selva Maya region but also catalysed significant progress in community forest management and sustainable timber practices. The collaborations and agreements forged here are expected to have a lasting impact on the conservation of the Selva Maya and the sustainable development of the timber industry.
