The 5th World Teak Conference was successfully organized by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, the International Teak Information Network (TEAKNET) in collaboration with Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF &CC), the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Japan, under the theme “Sustainable Development of the Global Teak Sector – Adapting to Future Markets and the Environment”. The conference was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the International Union of Forest Research Organisations Teakwood Working Party (IUFRO Div5.06.02), and the Ghana Forestry Commission. 

This global event took place at the Grand Hyatt Koichi Bolgatty, Kochi, Kerala, from 17-20 September 2025. Previous editions of the World Teak Conferences were held in Asian and Latin American countries: the first one in Costa Rica (2011), followed by Bangkok (2013), Ecuador (2015) and Ghana (2022). 



The four-day programme included plenary sessions covering all aspects of teak management, genetics, markets and legal supply chains, smallholder teak plantations and a panel discussion on global teak resources assessment and forest landscape restoration. There was one General Keynote at the beginning of each session by prominent speakers, followed by oral presentations. A total of 18 oral presentations, together with 9 papers in the ITTO session and the FSC session, comprise 7 presentations, as well as the 21 Posters. Two thematic sessions were also organised to present the ongoing ITTO/BMLEH project, 'Promoting Quality Timber Production in Smallholder and Community-Based Teak and Other Valuable Species Plantations in the Tropics', as well as the endeavours of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) on the responsible sourcing of teak under the European Union Deforestation-Free Products Regulation (EUDR). 


More than 300 participants from 43 countries representing 6 continents attended the Conference. They had the opportunity to share knowledge and experience and to exchange ideas on the multiple economic, social and environmental benefits that teak resources can provide. The participants represented government institutions, the private sector, universities, research institutes and local communities. They raised a wide range of points about teak, and the most important conference recommendations for action were summarised. 

Two optional field excursions were also conducted to Nilambur Teak Museum & Bioresources Nature Park, Connolly’s plot exploration and to the picturesque Athirappilly waterfalls on the foothills of Western Ghats on 20 September 2025.