New accord for tropical forests enters into force

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) announced the entry into force of the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (ITTA, 2006) effective Wednesday, December 7th 2011. The ratification of the agreement by the West African nation of Benin triggered the entry into force of this successor agreement to the Organization’s current governing treaty (ITTA, 1994).

Joachim Bilé, current chairman of ITTO’s governing Council noted that many people think the conservation of tropical forests and the development of the tropical timber trade are mutually exclusive. “On the contrary, the one is essential for the other,” he said. “Without conservation there can be no long-term trade. Without trade, the forests will be cleared for agriculture because, one way or another, the people living in tropical countries will continue to demand economic development. ITTO’s role has been, and will continue to be, to help governments, companies and communities to improve the management of their forests and the marketing of their products.”

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