IISD Reporting Services at ITTC-34, 12-17 May 2003, Panama City, Panama

IISD Reporting Services
at ITTC-34

Earth Negotiations Bulletin:
ENB will provide a daily report on negotiations at the ITTC-34. This website brings you daily coverage, with images and Real Audio.

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12 May
13 May
14 May
15 May
16 May
17 May
SUMMARY

34th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council and Associated Sessions of the Committees
12 - 17 May 2003 Panama City, Panama

Daily Web Coverage	\|Curtain\|	\|Mon 12\|	\|Tue 13\|	\|Wed 14\|	\|Thu 15\|	\|Fri 16\|	\|Sat 17\|
Français	\|Rideau\|	\|Lun 12\|	\|Mar 13\|	\|Mer 14\|	\|Jeu 15\|	\|Ven 16\|	\|Sam 17\|
Español		\|Lun 12\|	\|Mar 13\|	\|Mié 14\|	\|Jue 15\|	\|Vie 16\|	\|Sáb 17\|

Highlights for Thursday, 15 May 2003

Participants to ITTC-34 held a Council session and met in producing and consumer caucuses. The Council considered CITES listing proposals, activities related to Objective 2000, and issues affecting market access for tropical timber. The producer and consumer groups discussed elements of draft decisions.

Above photo: Many delegates participated in a field trip to the Panama Canal where they watched real time images of ships entering the Miraflores Locks.

Council Session:

Patrick Hardcastle (right), ITTO Consultant, says the ITTO should support operator and managerial training initiatives and provide technical expertise on industry restructuring in Guyana.

James Singh (GUYANA), stresses that more work is needed in Guyana on lesser used species and improving market access.

Jeffrey Sayer (left), Centre for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development, encourages the submission of an ITTC project proposal on capacity building and information management in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sheriff Faizool, (Trinidad and Tobago), recommends the Caribbean region as a venue for future workshops and meetings.

Jürgen Blaser, (Switzerland), reported on progress in implementing national training workshops on the use of ITTO formats for reporting on SFM, conducted under ITTO Decision 9(XXX). He explained that the objectives of the workshops include: testing and using C&I as tools for sustainable management at the forest management unit level; informing and training managers; exchanging experiences; and reviewing the pertinence of C&I at the forest management unit level.

Malaysia said that ITTO is the appropriate forum to address sustainable forest management, but called for better communication of its benefits worldwide.

Canada noted that the US-Canada WTO dispute on softwood lumber is still pending, and opposed equating low stumpage fees from forests concessions with a subsidy.

Underscoring that members have frequently been reminded to submit their national reports, ITTO Executive Director Manoel Sobral urged all countries that have not yet done so, to submit their reports using the approved reporting formats, as soon as possible.


*ENB Snapshots:*
*Field Trip to the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal*