Highlights and images for 6 December 2024

The 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-60) closed on a positive note. Delegates swiftly adopted five decisions, including a mandate for the Preparatory Working Group (PWG) for renegotiation of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) and the extension of the Executive Director’s term. During the closing of the Plenary, a long list of speakers commended ITTC-60 outcomes and expressed hopes for an improved trajectory for the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

The Council decided to extend the mandate of the PWG until ITTC-61, asking it to work with consultants to finalize the identification of elements to be considered in the future negotiations for a new ITTA due to be agreed by 2029. The PWG is mandated to produce a summary to guide ITTO Members as they conduct their national preparations and review processes for the renegotiation. The PWG must submit a report, along with all deliverables, to ITTC-61.

The Council decided to extend the term of Executive Director Sheam Satkuru until 31 January 2028. Afterwards, a long list of Members congratulated Satkuru, praising her leadership, and generally echoing the sentiment voiced by Ghana, who declared, “When you have a winning team, why change it?”

ITTC-60 decided to move beyond the pilot phase in its new fundraising architecture to fully embrace the “programmatic approach” as it has evolved from the Thematic Programmes model enshrined in the ITTA, 2006, with four Programme Lines utilizing concept notes to solicit funding. This will continue to run in parallel with the regular project cycle as formulated in the original ITTA and maintained in the 1994 and 2006 iterations.

The Council also decided to support efforts for the ITTO to obtain UN General Assembly observer status. ITTC-60 asked Japan, as ITTO host country, to take the lead in submitting the request, and encouraged other ITTO Members to back Japan in the endeavor.

The Council elected Carlos Espinosa Peña of Panama to serve as ITTC-61 Chair. It also accepted the invitation of Panama to host ITTC-61 from 20-24 October 2025.

A large number of delegations offered closing remarks. Several stressed the importance of ITTO and its unique advocacy of sustainable use of productive forests. Many praised ITTC-60 conduct and outcomes. All congratulated the Executive Director on her extended term. Many expressed hope for an improved future for ITTO. Brazil, as host of the next Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, briefed Members on several initiatives that are expected to spotlight the role of tropical forests at the COP, inviting ITTO Members to become involved in these efforts.

The meeting closed at 1:14 pm.