Although tropical forests cover only 6% of Earth’s land surface, they are some of the most biodiverse places on the planet. They play an important role in the global water cycle, combatting climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, and providing habitats, food sources, and livelihoods for local communities.

The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA)—the only global agreement focused on tropical forests— was first negotiated over 40 years ago to address concerns about the world’s tropical forests and the countries that depend on them. Since then, the ITTA has been renegotiated twice—in 1994 and 2006. Today, as countries strive to sustainably manage tropical forests, they continue to face increasing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation.

The 60th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC-60)—the ITTA’s governing body—discussed the roadmap for renegotiating ITTA, 2006. The 2006 agreement has two overarching objectives: to promote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed, legally harvested forests; and to promote the sustainable management of tropical timber-producing forests.

ITTA, 2006 was due to expire in 2026, but on 27 May 2024 the ITTC virtually adopted a decision to extend it until 6 December 2029 to allow time for negotiating its replacement.

As envisioned, the renegotiation roadmap discussed at ITTC-60 entailed analyses of the existing agreement, regional consultations, meetings of the ITTC’s producer and consumer caucuses, a two-part Preparatory Committee to be convened in 2026, and four negotiating sessions beginning in 2027.

Other issues considered by ITTC-60 included:

• the implementation of the Biennial Work Programme 2024-2025 for the intergovernmental organization servicing the ITTA, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO);
• the implementation of the ITTO’s new financing architecture, Phase II;
• ITTO cooperation and coordination with other organizations; and
• the Biennial Review and Assessment of the World Timber Situation 2023–2024.

ITTC-60 convened in Yokohama, Japan from 2–6 December 2024.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Keith Ripley; Deborah Davenport, Ph.D.; Hillary Rosentreter; and Matt Sommerville. The Digital Editor was Sean Wu. The Editors were Chris Spence and Pam Chasek, Ph.D.