Enhancing a collaborative, sustainable path for the global tropical forestry and timber industry

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Panama (MiAMBIENTE) hold the 61st session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC61) and Associated Sessions of the Committees at Hotel El Panama in Panama City, Panama, from 27 to 31 October 2025.

ITTC61 is the world’s preeminent gathering dedicated to discussing key topics related to sustainable tropical forestry, timber and forest products, between producing and consuming countries. As ITTO’s governing body, the ITTC supports countries in driving the growth of the multibillion-dollar global tropical timber industry and creates the foundations for sustainable development in ITTO’s 76 members. 

Discussions at ITTC61 will focus on priority items, including: (1) advancing ITTO’s core activities, specifically the implementation of projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America; (2) continuing discussions related to the negotiation of the International Tropical Timber Agreement; (3) high-level meetings convening stakeholders representing tropical timber producing and consuming countries; and (4) updates on ITTO’s collaboration with multilateral organisations and agencies.

“ITTC61 brings together the key players in tropical forestry to shape the future of a legal and sustainable industry which provides livelihoods for people across producing countries and high-quality products for consumers around the world,” said ITTO Executive Director Sheam Satkuru.

The ITTC convenes annually to discuss, review, and approve an agenda focused on promoting sustainable tropical forest management (SFM) and expanding international trade from legal and sustainable sources.

The Council also serves as a platform for experts from governments, international organizations, and advisory groups from the timber trade industry and civil society to collaborate in operationalizing initiatives among governments, non-governmental organizations, forest concessionaires, timber traders, and other stakeholders. These groups provide advice to the International Tropical Timber Council on collaborative approaches that contribute to the Organization’s objectives.

“MiAMBIENTE is proud that ITTC61 will be hosted in Panama. The event reflects the valued partnership between ITTO and the Republic of Panama, which has supported the Panamanian forestry and the timber sector in strengthening forest governance and building legal and sustainable supply chains through multiple successful collaborative projects,” said Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Panama.

Panama is a founding member of the ITTO, acceding to the 1983 International Tropical Timber Agreement that established the multilateral organization. The country has received over USD 12 million in project funding to date. ITTO is currently collaborating with MiAMBIENTE on a project aimed at halting the degradation of Panamanian forests due to illegal logging and trade. This is achieved by upscaling the adoption of a digital timber traceability and monitoring system nationwide.


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For media inquiries, contact: 

Paula Sarigumba
Email: sarigumba@itto.int
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
International Organizations Center
5th Floor, Pacifico Yokohama, 1-1-1 Minato-Mirai
Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan