The inaugural meeting of the Global Timber Forum sought to educate members of the timber industry about new regulations to combat illegal logging, the significant benefits of wood and forests to combat climate change and the promotion of wood as a green building material. Organizers asked the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) to lead the forum in discussions of sustainable forestry.
The inaugural meeting of the Global Timber Forum sought to educate members of the timber industry about new regulations to combat illegal logging, the significant benefits of wood and forests to combat climate change and the promotion of wood as a green building material. Organizers asked the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) to lead the forum in discussions of sustainable forestry.
More than 80 industry organizations and private sector delegates from 40 countries met for the first forum May 22-23, held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO) headquarters in Rome and convened by the UNFAO, the Forest Trust/Timber Trade Action Plan and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF).
"The inspiration behind the initiative for the Global Timber Forum was the growing number of issues, from climate change, sustainable development and construction, to anti-illegal timber measures, where the timber sector needs to speak with a single voice," said André de Boer, ETTF secretary general, in a statement. "Facing a range of key challenges and opportunities worldwide, there has never been a more important time for our industry to present a united front."
More information on the first forum is available here.