Pandemic threatens vital role of forests and forest-dependent people, says Council chair

Tuesday, 10 November 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the crucial roles played by healthy forests, indigenous peoples, smallholders and local communities, but it has also increased pressure on tropical forests and people dependent on them, according to International Tropical Timber Council Chairperson, Björn Merkell, who spoke yesterday at the virtual opening of the Council’s 56th Session.