6 December 2024, Yokohama, Japan: The International Tropical Timber Council took five decisions on the closing day of its 60th session on 6 December 2024, including one that extended by two years the term of appointment of ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru, to 31 January 2028.

Many members made interventions following this unanimous decision and praised Ms Satkuru’s leadership, including on fundraising efforts, the enhancement of collaborative partnerships and her team-oriented approach. Members also expressed satisfaction in the outcomes and process of the session, with Council Chairperson Anna Tyler commenting that she was encouraged by the participation and attendance, with all regions well represented and actively engaged.[1]

Another key decision taken by the Council was the approval of several projects and the authorization of the financing of these and previously approved projects, pre-projects and activities, with a total value of USD 4.3 million, to be financed through voluntary contributions pledged by members. One project—on the conservation of African barwood (Pterocarpus erianceus) in Côte d’Ivoire—was fully funded at the session, and several other projects received partial funding.

Another important decision was on matters pertaining to Article 44 of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), 2006, related to the negotiation of a new ITTA to replace the present agreement, which expires on 6 December 2029. The decision extends the mandate of the Preparatory Working Group (PWG) for the negotiation process until the 61st session of the Council. Among other matters, the decision requests the PWG to work in line with an agreed roadmap in close collaboration with the Secretariat and to be supported by consultants, to finalize the identification of elements to be considered for future negotiation. The PWG is open-ended, meaning that any ITTO member may participate. It will be co-chaired by Mr Daniel Carl (USA) and Ms Veneska Bethancourt (Panama).

The Council also decided to continue with the Programmatic Approach and four Programme Lines,[2] which until now have been in a pilot phase as part of the Organization’s fundraising strategy for the implementation of approved projects and activities. Under this decision, one Regular Project Cycle will be conducted per year, in parallel with the Concept Note approach.

A fifth decision is to support the process for the ITTO to obtain observer status in the United Nations General Assembly. This will facilitate the ITTO gaining greater access to high-level international meetings, aimed at forwarding its mandate to enhance engagement with external bodies and funding mechanisms.

On day 5, the ITTO signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC). RESTEC focuses on the establishment of remote sensing technologies through research and development, awareness-raising and human resource development. The MOU will explore collaborative efforts between the two organizations in areas of mutual interest related to the sustainable trade of tropical timber products and the sustainable management of tropical forests.

Also on day 5, the Council received and adopted the reports of the committees on Economics, Statistics and Markets, Forest Industry, Finance and Administration, and Reforestation and Forest Management. Mr Carlos Espinosa Peña from Panama was welcomed as the incoming Chairperson for 2025, and Panama invited the Council to convene its next session in Panama on 20–24 October 2025. Japan offered to host the 62^nd Council session in Yokohama.

Representatives from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters, the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council/Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Japan, and International Wood Products Association (IWPA) USA made interventions during the closing session indicating their strong desire to work closely with the ITTO in various areas of mutual interest.

In her closing address to the Council, Chairperson Anna Tyler said, “This year, it feels that we have all been moving in the same direction, and that is greatly encouraging for the future of the Organization”. Ms Tyler noted that amongst other important work conducted, the work of the PWG is important, and she encouraged all members to actively engage in the process and to take the goodwill exhibited during this Council session forward into 2025.

Ms Satkuru said she was delighted to see the strong commitment displayed by all members during the week. She commended the Chairperson for her exemplary leadership and thanked all Committee Chairs, Vice-Chairs, members, the good friends of the ITTO, the support team and the ITTO team for their tenacity throughout the week.

[1] Delegates who made interventions during the closing of the session were from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, the European Union, Guatemala, Japan, New Zealand, Panama, Togo, the United States of America.

[2] The four Council-approved Programmatic Lines are 1) Legal and Sustainable Supply Chains; 2) Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; 3) Forest Landscape Restoration and Resilient Livelihoods; and 4) Emerging Issues and Innovation.

More information on the Council session, including presentations, are available here: https://www.itto.int/ittc-60/presentations.
Daily coverage of the session by IISD reporting services is available at https://enb.iisd.org/ittc60-international-tropical-timber-council.