On Saturday, the Forty-sixth session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) concluded its discussions in Yokohama, Japan. In the morning, Producer and Consumer groups met in separate caucus meetings, while a drafting group worked out a compromise on two outstanding issues: one on ITTO-CBD cooperation and the other on holding Council sessions outside of ITTO Headquarters.

In the afternoon, the Council convened to adopt eight decisions, including: the approval of projects, pre-projects and activities; the re-appointment of Emmanuel Ze Meka as Executive Director until 5 November 2015; the celebration of International Year of Forests and ITTO's 25th anniversary in 2011; procedures to respond to additional funding opportunities; a multi-donor mechanism to facilitate enhanced ITTO-CITES cooperation; the ITTO-CBD Collaborative Initiative to conserve tropical forest biodiversity; and financial arrangements for hosting Council sessions outside of ITTO headquarters.

After several rounds of discussions, Consumer and Producer groups decided that ITTC-47 will take place in Antigua, Guatemala from November 9-14 2011, ITTC-48 in Yokohama in November 2012, and ITTC-49 in Libreville, Gabon in 2013. The Consumer group elected Joachim Bilé Allogho, Gabon, as Chair, and the Producer group elected Carla Boonstra, Netherlands, as Vice-Chair of ITTC-47. After brief closing statements, Chair Birchmeier closed the meeting at 4:44 pm.

Above: ITTC-46 Chair Daniel Birchmeier gaveled a decision.