About 400 people from more than 40 countries are expected to attend the 32nd session of the International Tropical Timber Council in Bali, Indonesia, May 13-17.
Delegates will include representatives of governments, environmental non-government organisations, the timber trade and inter-governmental agencies.
The ITTO Council will discuss forest restoration and a proposed new mangrove conservation programme in Congo Basin countries.
New guidelines for the sustainable management of tropical secondary forests, the restoration of degraded forests and the rehabilitation of degraded tropical lands are likely to be approved by members.
The keynote speaker at the annual market discussion on May 14 will be environmentalist Dr Patrick Moore. He will pose the question ‘what direction should environmentalism take in the 21st century?’. The organisers expect his presentation to challenge conventional wisdom about tropical forests.
At the same session, tropical timber expert Dr Jim Bourke will advocate innovative ways for the tropical timber trade to re-energise in a severely depressed market.
For further information visit www.itto.or.jp.
