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	43rd Session of the International Tropical Timber Council and Associated Sessions of the Committees Yokohama, Japan \| 5-10 November 2007


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Daily Web Coverage	Mon, November 5
	Tue, November 6
	Wed, November 7
	Thu, November 8
	Fri, November 9
	Sat, November 10
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ITTC-43 Concludes on a Happy Note

On Saturday, the forty-third session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) concluded its deliberations in Yokohama, Japan. In the morning and afternoon, participants convened in a contact group to discuss a draft decision on Ghana's invitation to host ITTC-44 in June 2008. Agreement was finally achieved after several iterations of a draft proposal were circulated. Delegates decided to hold an intersessional meeting in Accra, Ghana, from 2 to 5 June 2008, and to hold the next Council session in November 2008 in Yokohama.

Plenary reconvened at 4:00 pm for the final Council session to adopt the reports of the Committees on Economic Information and Market Intelligence, Reforestation and Forest Management, and Finance and Administration. Katharina Kuehmayer, Austria, was elected Chair of ITTC for 2008, while the selection of the Vice-Chair was postponed.

Delegates also approved six decisions on: projects, pre-projects and activities; the Biennial Work Programme for 2007-2008; revision of procedural and financial rules to reflect the ITTA, 2006; conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in tropical timber-producing forests; relief of Liberia's debt to ITTO; and on modalities of work for future council sessions. After concluding remarks from several countries, Chair Macchiavello gaveled the session to a close at 5:56pm.

Above: Incoming ITTC Chair Katharina Kuehmayer presented outgoing Chair Amb. Luis Macchiavello with a framed gavel in appreciation for his service.

A fully summary and brief analysis will be available at this site on Tuesday, 13 November, 2007.

Saturday, 10 November
Council Session

ITTC Chair Amb. Luis Macchiavello led the final Council session.	Chantal Adingra, Côte d'Ivoire, presented the CEM report.	Flip van Helden, the Netherlands, presented the CRF report.
Dani Pitoyo, Indonesia, presented the CFI report.	Marcel Vernoooij, the Netherlands, presented the CFA report.	Executive Director Emmanuel Ze Meka presented the draft decision on an intersessional meeting in Accra, Ghana.
B.C.Y. Freezailah, Malaysia, announced the nomination of Katharina Kuehmayer for 2008 ITTC Chair.	James Gasana, Switzerland, said more time was needed to name the 2008 ITTC Vice-Chair.	Papua New Guinea requested time for the Producers' caucus to meet and discuss the Vice-Chair nomination.
Jon Heikki Aas stated that Norway, Switzerland and Indonesia would work together to develop support for thematic programs.	Enzo Barattini, European Community, thanked Chair Macchiavello for his leadership during a difficult transition period.	Ghana welcomed delegates to next June's intersessional meeting in Accra.
Bledee Dagbe thanked the Council for adopting a decision on debt relief for Liberia.	Yati Bun said CSAG appreciated ITTO's support for integrating civil society into negotiations.	Katharina Kuehmayer, Austria, thanked the Council for electing her as its 2008 Chair.
Around ITTC-43
Participants and Secretariat gathered outside the contact group.	Participants reviewed documents in the corridor during the contact group.	Led by Switzerland's Jürgen Blaser, participants formulated a proposal on the Accra meeting.
Participants conferred in the corridor.	Council Vice-Chair Kuehmayer and ITTO Executive Director Ze Meka read the Accra meeting proposal.	CEM Chair Chantal Adingra and CFI Chair Flip van Helden embraced after the closing session.
Your Earth Negotiations Bulletin ITTC-43 reporting team: Dan Birchall, Digital Editor, US; Twig Johnson, Writer, US, Kate Louw, Writer, South Africa; Deborah Davenport, Writer, US; Jonathan Manley, Writer, South Africa; Peter Wood, Team Leader, Canada.