28 October 2011: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its establishment in Yokohama, Japan, with a commemorative symposium entitled “Celebrating a Quarter Century of ITTO and Japan Sustaining Tropical Forests.”

The event brought together 200 people, including high-level officials from Japan and other countries, past and present friends of ITTO, and members of the public. Participants heard details of member country perspectives on ITTO, its successes in promoting tropical sustainable forest management, its history and evolution, examples of current ITTO activities and plans for the future. The event also highlighted the role that tropical forests play in the global environment and on-going changes in markets for tropical forest products and services, including the increasing importance of carbon storage and biodiversity habitat. [ITTO Press Release]