ITTC-61 concludes in Panama with $3.4 million in new funding, new council leadership, and commitments to cooperation

ITTC-61 concludes in Panama with $3.4 million in new funding, new council leadership, and commitments to cooperation

The 61st ITTC finished with the Council adopting four key decisions. © ITTO

Panama City, 31 October 2025 — The International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) concluded the final day of its 61st session in Panama City with the adoption of four decisions, the election of new Council leadership for 2026, and renewed pledges by members to advance the sustainable management of tropical forests and trade of tropical timber.

Delegates to the CEM/CFI sessions finished all smiles after a week of hard work. © ITTO

Key decisions from the Council

The Council approved several new projects/activities, and authorized financing totalling USD 3.4 million, to be funded through voluntary contributions pledged by members. New funding was allocated to the second phase of a project to enable sustainable management of the Fosse-aux-Lions Gazetted Forest in the Savanna Region of Togo, and a project to strengthen technical and business management capacity in Peru's forest industry. New project funding was also provided to support the forest-based bioeconomy based on Viet Nam's acacia resources. Donors providing new funding at this Session were Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Forestry Agency), and Macao (SAR), Australia and Canada. The Biennial Work Programme 2026–2027 was also approved, with new funding provided for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in tropical production forests and the ITTO Fellowship Programme.

Additional awareness-raising in ITTO’s host country Japan was approved.

Council also adopted a decision to approve ITTO’s administrative budget for 2026-2027, ensuring that the Organization’s work can continue uninterrupted throughout the biennium, as well as the Committee reports presented by CEM/CFI, CRF and CFA.

Following substantive discussions throughout the week, the Council approved a decision at this Session laying out a roadmap for activities to be undertaken in 2026 to lead up to the formal ITTA renegotiation process, set to begin in 2027. The decision adopted in Panama provides for the continuation of a preparatory working group established by a previous decision and for consultations between members to continue until the 62nd Session of Council when an initial in-person Preparatory Committee meeting will be convened during the same week as the 62nd Council session in Yokohama in November 2026.

Last day of the 61st session, Council adopted key decisions and elected a new Chair, Ms Cassandra Price (Australia). © ITTO

Fellowship funding approved under Sub-Account B of the Bali Partnership Fund

The Council adopted the Report of the Panel on Sub-Account B of the Bali Partnership Fund (BPF).

The Panel—chaired by Ms Cassandra Price (Australia) and comprising members from Canada, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia and Panama, and the Executive Director—recommended the allocation of USD 137 888.50 from the BPF Sub-Account B and the Unearmarked Fund to support the ITTO Fellowship Programme in 2026.

Secretariat farewell: Polycarpe Masupa Kambale retires

The Executive Director welcomed delegates to honor Mr Polycarpe Masupa Kambale, ITTO Projects Manager, on the occasion of his retirement. Speaking virtually, he thanked ITTO colleagues and members for their support and wished the Organization well as it enters its 40th year.

Delegations recognized Mr Masupa-Kambale’s contributions to project development, capacity building, and advancing SFM, particularly in Africa. Delegations from Colombia, Benin, Japan, and Sweden acknowledged his lasting contributions to ITTO projects and to sustainable forest management, particularly in Africa. The Executive Director paid tribute to Mr Masupa-Kambale for his dedicated service to the ITTO.

Incoming ITTC Chair hands a token to the outgoing Council chair. © ITTO

Council elects new Chair for 2026

The Council elected Ms Cassandra Price (Australia) as Chairperson of the ITTC for 2026. In her remarks, Ms Price thanked delegates for their confidence and affirmed Australia’s commitment to ITTO:

“I take this work very seriously… I’ve been encouraged and inspired by the commitment and dedication shown this week. While we each have our own agendas, we are all here for similar reasons.”

Closing and looking ahead to the next session

Following five days of discussions, collaboration and decision-making, ITTC-61 concluded with renewed partnership focused on achieving ITTO’s mission. In closing the Session, the Chair thanked all delegates from Panama, Japan and other donors, as well as translators and the Secretariat, for their dedication.

He emphasized that tropical forests are more than just timber sources, highlighting their biodiversity and social value. He called on members to maintain momentum toward sustainable, legal supply chains and stronger international cooperation, including participating effectively and fully in the negotiation of the ITTA.

“ITTO’s work makes it an essential partner in tropical forest governance. I urge all members to continue the important work begun here in Panama to sustain tropical forests,” Mr Espinosa Peña said.

Delegates from Australia, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, and Thailand extended thanks to Panama for hosting ITTC-61 and reaffirmed their commitment to ITTO’s mission and the upcoming new ITTA negotiation process.

Japan announced that the 62nd session of the Council—which will include the first preparatory committee meeting on the ITTA negotiation—will take place 7–11 November 2026 in Yokohama, coinciding with ITTO’s 40th anniversary.