The 44th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-44) met in Yokohama, Japan, from 3-8 November 2008, and concluded its session by pledging US$8.6 million in funds for new projects and thematic programmes.

The Council adopted the ITTO Action Plan for 2008-2011. It also decided to establish several new thematic programmes, on a pilot basis, on: Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade; Community Forest Management and Enterprises; Trade and Market Transparency; Industry Development and Efficiency; and Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services in Tropical Forests. Along with financing 11 projects and 2 pre-projects, ITTC approved additional funding for studying developments and progress in timber procurement policies. The Council also approved funds to update and field-test ITTO’s Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests, and for additional national training workshops on the application of criteria and indicators for sustainable tropical forest management. In addition, funds were pledged to enhance the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises to produce and trade legal and sustainable timber and to assist members in formulating and implementing an integrated forest-sector response to climate change. The Council decided to convene its next session in Yokohama in November 2009, followed by a session in Guatemala in 2010.
Links to further information
IISD RS coverage of the meeting
ITTO media release, 8 November 2008