Tropical forests provide valuable ecosystem services locally as well as globally. At the same time, tropical forests are continuously pressured by population growth, commercial demands for timber and non-timber commodities, and other economic activities such as tourism and agriculture. Demand outside the tropics for commodities such as soy, cocoa, beef and palm oil drive deforestation and the local management of tropical forests affects critical global issues like food security, biodiversity conservation, poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, human well-being, and sustainable economic growth and development.
Issues related to tropical forests are complex and intertwined, stressing the need for multidisciplinary teams working towards collaborative solutions that ensure the health of tropical forests and the well-being of those living in or depending on them. The 23rd Annual ISTF Conference will bring together individuals of various disciplines, multiple stakeholders, researchers and practitioners to discuss the much needed coming together of disciplines to achieve sustainable resource use in tropical forests. This conference will provide an opportunity for participants to cross-pollinate ideas, exchange experiences, and pave the way for collaboration across areas. Tangible products from the event will inform the emerging discussion on the changing approach to sustainable development in the tropics.