The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has published its annual report, highlighting progress achieved in 2014 through field projects, policy work and research.
The publication summarizes such activities as the adoption of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forest, the release of the 'Rewarding the Service Providers' policy brief, and the organization of the International Forum on Payments for Environmental Services of Tropical Forests.
July 2015: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has published its annual report, highlighting progress achieved in 2014 through field projects, policy work and research. The publication summarizes the adoption of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forest, the release of the ‘Rewarding the Service Providers’ policy brief, and the organization of the International Forum on Payments for Environmental Services of Tropical Forests, among other activities.
The report also highlights the expansion of ITTO. The Central African Republic, Suriname and Viet Nam acceded to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (ITTA, 2006) in 2014, bringing the total number of ITTO members to 70.
On research conducted by the organization, the report recaps two completed technical studies. One study, titled ‘The Impact of Timber Procurement Policies,’ analyzes the economic effects of governmental procurement policies in tropical timber markets. The other, titled ‘Technical Guide on the Quantification of Carbon Benefits in ITTO Projects,’ is aimed at helping managers of ITTO projects monitor and report on carbon benefits.
The annual report is divided into 12 chapters, summarizing: the 50th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-50); results of projects completed in 2014; results of projects in the thematic programmes; economics, statistics and markets; the forest industry; reforestation and forest management; the thematic programmes; fellowships; international cooperation; knowledge management, publications and outreach; finances; and member States and votes.
Also in July, ITTO released the proceedings of a workshop, titled ‘Assessment of Forest Management and REDD+ Governance Quality in PNG.’ The workshop was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG), from 21-22 May 2015. The event supported the ITTO project, ‘Development of Quality-of-Governance Standards for REDD in PNG.’ The proceedings recap the outcomes of the participants’ work, including the election of a steering committee to oversee the completion of a final draft voluntary standard by February 2017.
In addition, ITTO launched a project, titled ‘Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through REDD+ Mechanisms in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia,’ on 23 July 2015. Given the various ongoing REDD+ initiatives in the country, the project aims to help standardize procedures for REDD+ projects to meet technical specifications of carbon standards. The project will also promote the efficient and effective implementation of REDD+ through research, improving understanding and knowledge of stakeholders, strengthening and institutionalizing REDD+ guidelines, and enhancing local communities’ livelihoods. [ITTO Annual Reports] [Publication: ITTO Annual Report 2014] [ITTO Press Release, 16 July 2015] [Proceedings of Assessment of Forest Management and REDD+ Governance Quality in PNG Workshop] [ITTO Press Release, 28 July 2015] [SFM through REDD+ Mechanisms in Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia Project Document]