International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)

ITTO was established under the provisions of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), 1983 in late 1986 in Yokohama, Japan. The principal purpose of ITTO is to promote international trade in tropical timber, the sustainable management of tropical forests and the development of forest industries through international consultation and cooperation, policy work and project activities.

Among its stated objectives is the commitment reaffirmed by members to moving as rapidly as possible towards achieving exports of tropical timber and timber products from sustainably managed sources through the ITTO Objective 2000. The mission of ITTO is to facilitate discussion, consultation and international cooperation on issues relating to the international trade and utilization of tropical timber and the sustainable management of its resource base.

ITTO collaborates in several areas of CPF work and serves as the CPF focal agency for Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management (jointly with FAO) and International Trade and Sustainable Forest Management.