Functions and Organization
The International Poplar Commission (IPC) is governed by a convention, adopted at the tenth session of the FAO Conference in November 1959, which established it as a statutory body within the framework of FAO. The most recent amendments to the convention were adopted at the nineteenth session of the FAO Conference held in November 1977.
The functions of IPC, as described in the convention are to:
- study the scientific, technical, social and economic aspects of poplar and willow cultivation, and of the use of their wood;
- promote the exchange of ideas and materials between research workers, producers and users;
- arrange joint research programmes;
- stimulate the organization of meetings combined with study tours;
- report and make recommendations to the FAO Conference, through the Director-General of FAO;
- make recommendations to national poplar commissions, through the Director-General of FAO and the governments concerned.
IPC is summoned in regular sessions every four years (every two years prior to the 1977 amendments) by the Director-General of FAO, in consultation with the Chairperson of the IPC Executive Committee. It may also be convened in special sessions, if necessary. A session has normally been organized by one of the IPC member countries, after the Director-General of FAO has accepted its offer.
The Forestry Department of FAO provides the permanent secretariat of IPC. The Secretary of the Commission is appointed by the Director-General of FAO to provide support duties to the Commission.
The IPC Executive Committee prepares and follows up on IPC's work for the sessions and between sessions.
Scientific and technical problems have been investigated by six working parties which meet about once every two to four years.
At its seventh session in 1953, the IPC established the Subcommittee of the Executive Committee on Nomenclature and Registration, which is responsible for nomenclature and registration of poplar cultivars.
