The first steps in the formation of a new communication and discussion platform for the international timber industry were taken in Rome last week – the aim, to improve networking and knowledge sharing in the sector worldwide and strengthen its market presence and political profile. The launch meeting of the Global Timber Forum (GTF) took place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UNFAO). It was attended by over 80 delegates from 40 countries; a mix of industry organisations and private sector representatives. The event was co-convened by the UNFAO, The Forest Trust/Timber Trade Action Plan (TFT/TTAP) and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF). It followed the unveiling of the GTF concept during the Global Wood Mart in Kuala Lumpur last autumn.

ETTF Secretary General André de Boer said the inspiration behind the initiative was the growing number of issues, from climate change and sustainable development, to anti-illegal timber measures, where the timber sector increasingly needs to speak with a single, strong and coherent voice. “For instance, the GTF could work towards wider, more uniform application of anti-illegal timber legislation to ensure fairness and avoid trade flow diversion,” he said. Jukka Tissari, Forestry Officer Trade and Marketing at the FAO Forest Products Service, who chaired the first day of the launch event, said that the GTF could also support his organisation’s mission to encourage a “common vision” across the industry in efforts to end illegal logging. 
 “We expect it to propose deeper collaborative action to foster responsible timber trading.”

Over the course of the two-day Rome meeting, delegates addressed a range of other areas where the GTF could make a contribution and impact. Several speakers developed the theme of the GTF’s possible role in helping the industry cope with the proliferation of anti-illegal timber regulation. By promoting greater coordination between their criteria, it could make the various national and regional rules easier to work with and ultimately more effective. Delegates also saw the GTF as a channel for sharing marketing expertise and developing common international promotional themes and messages, to increase end-user understanding about sustainable sourcing and the use of timber.  It could also highlight and explain timber’s further major potential in the drive to sustainable ‘green building’, as the ultimate renewable construction material. 
 Another focus was maintenance of the forest resource, and the GTF’s potential for highlighting how sustainable timber production can be part of the solution, by providing a commercial incentive to retain and increase tree cover. “By attaching value to the forest and sustaining local livelihoods, it can play a key role in its renovation and preservation,” said UNFAO Assistant Director General Forestry Eduardo Rojas-Briales.

The Complete Article is available under the following Link: Global Timber Forum 22-23 May 2013