ITTC appoints new Executive Director

The International Tropical Timber Council appointed the third Executive Director of ITTO, Mr Emmanuel Ze Meka, during the recently completed 42nd Council Session in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Mr Ze Meka follows Dr Manoel Sobral Filho, ITTO's incumbent Executive Director.

Mr Ze Meka, one of six short-listed candidates for the position, is a national of Cameroon with extensive experience of tropical forests and ITTO. After a distinguished career with the Cameroonian government, Mr Ze Meka joined ITTO over fifteen years ago, gaining experience in all aspects of the Organization's work in his roles as Project Manager and, more recently, as Assistant Director of ITTO's divisions of Forest Industry and (currently) Reforestation and Forest Management. Mr Ze Meka will be ITTO's first Executive Director from the African region.

After his appointment by consensus, Mr. Ze Meka addressed the Council and pledged to continue to build on the strong foundations put in place by Dr Sobral, while addressing new challenges and opportunities facing the Organization during his term. ITTO's Executive Director is appointed for a four-year term, renewable once. Mr Ze Meka will commence his duties as Executive Director in November 2007 when Dr Sobral completes his second four-year term.

For further information on ITTO and the 42nd session of the ITTC, visit: www.itto.or.jp.