11.10.2024
The President of the ATIBT and the entire team of the association would like to extend their warmest thanks to all the authorities and the many participants who ensured the success of this meeting, which focused on crucial issues such as the Cites, the EUDR, the future of development plans in Africa and many other subjects.
On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of October 2024, the Radisson Blu hotel in Antwerp hosted the ATIBT General Assembly and Forum, with the central theme of "Innovation and sustainability in the tropical forestry sector". This major event brought together 200 participants from some twenty countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. They had the opportunity to discuss current challenges and emerging opportunities in the sustainable management of tropical forests, particularly with regard to the European Regulation against Imported Deforestation and CITES measures.
The event was attended by a number of high-ranking personalities, including the Secretary General of CITES, Cameroon's Minister of Forestry and the Executive Secretary of COMIFAC. Large delegations from Central Africa (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo and CAR) and West Africa (Côte d'Ivoire) were also present, testifying to the importance of the forum for international cooperation in the sustainable management of tropical forests.
It was also an opportunity for everyone to meet the new Director of FSC International, Dr Subhra Bhattacharjee.
An opening marked by major events
The forum was officially launched with speeches by Luc Arnouts, Vice-President of the Port of Antwerp, and Françoise Van de Ven, President of the ATIBT. Hervé Maidou, Executive Secretary of COMIFAC, expressed his enthusiasm about the impact of the forum, followed by Flore Koumba Pambo, representing the Gabonese Minister of Water and Forests. HEM Abou Dosso, Côte d'Ivoire's Ambassador to Belgium, and Jules Doret Ndongo, Cameroon's Minister of Forests, closed the opening session.
The announcement on the 2nd of October of the postponement of the implementation of the European regulation on combating deforestation was at the heart of the forum's discussions and gave rise to mixed reactions, because for the tropical forestry and timber industry, the EU Regulation is an essential lever for promoting sustainable forest management and certification.
A rich and varied programme
The forum offered a packed programme, including nine round tables, a special session dedicated to the Chinese market, and a high-level round table with representatives from the European Commission, CITES and African governments, FSC and PEFC. The presentations and debates led by nearly 50 experts provided a wealth of ideas and solutions on the complex issues surrounding the sustainable management of tropical forests.
Highlights and conviviality
Alongside the formal sessions, participants took advantage of numerous breaks and informal moments to extend their discussions and make new contacts. A visit to the Port of Antwerp, organised in a convivial setting, was also a highlight of this year's event, enabling participants to explore one of the main entry points for tropical forest resources into Europe.
This 2024 edition of the ATIBT Forum has once again demonstrated the importance of international dialogue in meeting the challenges facing our sector and promoting innovative and sustainable solutions.
The Forum was organised thanks to registration fees from members and partners and contributions from ITTO, FSC, PEFC, the EU and AFD. The ATIBT Forum was also supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Tropical Timber Trade Facility (TTT), a project implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The ATIBT sincerely thanks all these loyal partners.
Photos, presentations and recordings will be available online on our website on the 15th of October.
