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Fiji became a party to the International Tropical Timber Agreement 2006 at a signing ceremony at the United Nations in New York today. Signing on behalf of the Government of Fiji was the Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thomson. The ceremony included the delivery of the instrument of ratification of the treaty signed by Fiji's Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

The International Tropical Timber Agreement promotes the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests. It also promotes the sustainable management of tropical timber forests by providing an effective framework for consultation, international cooperation and policy development among all members with regard to all relevant aspects of the world timber economy.

Amongst other provisions the Agreement supports research and development with a view to improving tropical forest management and the efficiency of wood utilization and the competitiveness of wood products relative to other materials. At the same time it works to increase the capacity to conserve and enhance other forest values in timber-producing tropical forests.

The Agreement encourages members to support and develop tropical timber reforestation, as well as rehabilitation and restoration of degraded forest land, with due regard for the interests of local communities dependent on forest resources.

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