ITTO (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the 59th session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) concluded. 

• This council convenes at least once a year to deliberate on a comprehensive agenda focused on promoting sustainable tropical forest management and the trade of sustainably produced tropical timber.

International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)

• About: It was sponsored by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and was ratified in 1985. Its mandate was renewed by the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994 and again by the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006.
• IITC: The IITC is the governing body of the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
• Aim: To promote sustainable management and conservation of tropical forests.
• Six Major Focus Areas:

oManaging and conserving tropical forests, 

oImproving the transparency of and expanding international markets for tropical timber

oDeveloping efficient and value-adding tropical forest-based industries

oAddressing climate change

oRaising the capacity of forest stakeholders to manage and benefit from their resources

oContributing to the Sustainable Development Goals

• ITTO’s membership represents about 90% of the global tropical timber trade and more than 80% of the world’s tropical forests.
• Headquarter: Yokohama, Japan.
• Membership: It member countries represent 95 percent of world trade in tropical timber and 75 percent of the world's tropical forests India is a member of IITC