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.

Full web coverage available here: 18 December

On Friday morning, the Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management reviewed, amended and submitted its draft report to the Council. In the afternoon, the Council discussed the Fellowship Programme and the ITTO Annual Report for 2009.

The Committee on Finance and Administration examined the second revision of the administrative budget for 2011 proposed by the Secretariat, discussed extending the tenure of Assistant Director Hasan, conducted a review of the work of the ITTO secretariat, took note of the Illustrative Budget for Operation under the ITTA, 2006, elected officers for 2011, and reviewed its draft report. The Committee on Economic Information and Market Intelligence and the Committee on Forest Industry elected vice-chairs for 2011, drafted a proposal for an ITTO activity on timber procurement policies and their legality requirements through work within the Committee and two separate contact groups, and reviewed, amended and submitted its draft report to the Council.

Full web coverage available here: 17 December

On Thursday morning, the Council convened to discuss ITTO activities held for the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, as well as to hear a report on the recent developments in the UNFCCC and the potential implications for tropical forests and the world timber economy.

In the afternoon the Committee on Finance and Administration met to examine the revised administrative budget for 2011, proposed by the Secretariat. The Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management discussed the draft terms of reference for a meta-evaluation of ex-post evaluations of ITTO Projects and elected officers for 2011. The Committee on Economic Information and Market Intelligence and the Committee on Forest Industry held discussions on forest certification, considered a proposal from Producers to develop guidelines for public procurement policies regarding timber products, and elected officers for 2011.

Full web coverage available here: 16 December

On Wednesday morning, the Joint Committee session reconvened to hear a proposal on a meta-evaluation of ex-post evaluations of ITTO projects. This was followed by a Council session to resume deliberations on the report of the Informal Advisory Group and the extension of the Executive Director's term. The Council also heard an overview of the current status of the Thematic Programmes and the Annual Review and Assessment of the International Tropical Timber Situation in 2010. The Committee on Economic Information and Market Intelligence and the Committee on Forest Industry reconvened briefly to discuss policy work, and heard presentations on the promotion of trade in tropical timber and products from sustainably managed and legally harvested sources.

In the afternoon, the Council convened for the annual timber market discussion, which addressed innovations and technologies in wood-based industries. In the evening, the Committee on Finance and Administration met to continue discussions on: the administrative budget for 2011; the financial arrangements for holding Council sessions outside of Yokohama; and cooperation between ITTO members and non-member donors. The Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management met to review the implementation of approved projects and pre-projects.

Full web coverage available here: 15 December

On Tuesday morning, participants convened in a Joint Committee Session to discuss the report of the Expert Panel and hear presentations on ex-post project evaluations.

In the afternoon, participants convened in concurrent sessions of the Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management (CRF) and the Committee on Finance and Administration (CFA). Following this, the Committees on Economic Information and Market Intelligence (CEM) and the Committee on Forest Industry (CFI) met in the evening.

In the CRF, participants discussed ex-post evaluation, projects and pre-project proposals, policy work and other business. In the CFA participants addressed: the administration budget for 2011; resources of the special account and the Bali Partnership Fund; the appointment of an auditor; and a proposal from Brazil and Mexico on financing of Council sessions held outside of Yokohama. In the CEM-CFI, participants discussed projects and pre-project proposals as well as policy work.

Full web coverage available here: 14 December

On Monday morning, delegates listened to opening speeches by the ITTO Executive Director, the ITTC-46 Chair, and dignitaries from Japan, Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon. The Council expeditiously addressed organizational matters, including ascertainment of quorum, distribution of votes, and adoption of the meeting's agenda, before discussing the Report of the Informal Advisory Group.

In the afternoon, the Council resumed discussions on: the entry into force of the ITTA, 2006; the ITTO Biennial Work Programme 2010-11 Progress Report; the Annual Review and Assessment of the International Tropical Timber Situation in 2010; the International Year of Forests; enhancing cooperation between ITTO and CITES; and extending the tenure of the Executive Director.

Full web coverage available here: 13 December