The Timber Committee of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) meets again this year at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, to review the latest international developments affecting the forest sector. The event brings together delegates from Governments, industry, research, non-governmental organizations and the media
Market Discussions: The 2010 Market Discussions focus on innovative wood products and will cover solid and engineered wood products and ecological construction. As well as the traditional market sectors i.e. sawnwood, roundwood, panels, pulp and paper, they will also cover new sectors such as wood energy, carbon markets and certified forest products markets.
The discussions will build on countries’ market statements and forecasts for 2010 and 2011, expert presentations and the UNECE/Food and Agriculture Organization Forest Products Annual Market Review, 2009-2010, whichprovides the latest data and analyses of international markets and policies.
For the first time, the annual event is being held jointly with the US-based Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). The Society’s mission is to develop, maintain and advance the educational, scientific and ethical standards that define the profession; and to advocate the socially responsible production and use of wood and other lignocellulosic products.
Policy Forum: In addition to the market discussions, a Policy Forum organized jointly by UNECE, FAO and SWST will focus on “Building codes and standards: Influence on material use and construction practices”. The discussion will address the following topics:
The annual Discussions and Forum offer the forest-sector community the opportunity to consider important issues from different perspectives through an exchange of views based on the most current information and forecasts available. Considerable time is scheduled to facilitate discussions between the presenters and the delegates. The outcomes will appear n two press releases, one of which will contain the Timber Committee’s official statement on forest products markets in 2010 and 2011.
Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Attendance is limited to 300 people. The events will have simultaneous interpretation in English, French and Russian.  To access the Programme, please click.
For more information and to register please see the UNECE Timber Committee and FAO European Forestry Commission homepage at www.unece.org/timber
Ref: ECE/TIM/10/P11