International ATIBT Forum to highlight the importance of improved international cooperation to combat illegal timber logging

A steady stream of 180 industry professionals and consumers will walk the halls of Dubai WoodShow 2017 to attend the international ATIBT Forum that will run in Dubai from March 4th-6th at the Conrad Hotel.

Held under the Patronage of UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai’s largest trade show – Dubai WoodShow is for the first time hosting the ATIBT Forum that will shed light on Timber Legality & Climate Change. The forum will highlight the importance of improved international cooperation to combat illegal timber logging.

A recent report, titled Illegal Logging and Related Timber Trade – Dimensions, Drivers, Impacts and Responses produced by more than 40 scientists around the world stated that forestry crime including corporate crimes and illegal logging accounted for up to $152 billion every year.

To exchange information, raise awareness and document current corruption practices as well as potential solutions for illegal timber logging, the ATIBT forum will bring together key experts of the industry. Managed by Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai WoodShow, the ATIBT Forum will draw attendees from Europe, United States, Asia and Middle East and Central Africa.

“We are honoured to be hosting the ATIBT Forum in association with Dubai WoodShow. With a central theme – Tropical Forest - timber, and so much more, Dubai is a perfect location for this Forum. Each year we aim to celebrate change and innovation at the WoodShow. The ATIBT is a reflection of our efforts to provide a platform that will offer key experts an opportunity to exchange ideas and views to curb illicit timber trade while at the same time simplify the communication strategy to create better business opportunities for everyone in attendance,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai WoodShow. 

Research discussed in the Illegal Logging and Related Timber Trade report indicates that around 30 per cent of the world’s timber is coming from illegal forest conversion, which is being done primarily for agricultural purposes like palm oil, beef and soy production. As such, the ATIBT Forum in Dubai intends to flesh out some of the high level commitments to curb illegal timber trade and forest products with an objective to implement action plans on existing agreements.

The ATIBT Forum - which consists of two days of debates and speeches brings together experts from the tropical timber industry and serves as an opportunity for the association’s members as well as tropical timber industry players to gather together to exchange relevant information among themselves. Each new edition features a different theme related to sector developments and issues.

Some of the key topics on discussion at the forum will revolve around - improving transparency and strengthening governance in the forestry sector, monitoring of forestry offences, capacity-building, finance and technology and progress monitoring.

The ATIBT has been hosting forums in different countries each year. This year Dubai was chosen as a key ground for the ground-breaking forum due to its strategic geographical location, diverse audience, commercial potential and the ever - evolving wood and construction industry.

“We are pleased to have the latest session of ATIBT in Dubai. Taking this as an opportunity, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment for giving us an opportunity to host this forum in Dubai. Over the years, we’ve realised that illicit timber logging is not just a forest-related problem, but a problem that needs broader cooperation from the experts and the governing authorities across nations. We are confident that this Forum in Dubai will serve as a strong platform to successfully fight illegal logging and prevent it from shifting to less regulated markets,” said Benoit Jobbé-Duval, General Manager of ATIBT.

The first ATIBT Forum was held in Rome in 1982, and in various cities around the world including Manaus, Marrakech, Washington, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Valencia, Libreville, Istanbul, Rome, Brussels, Athens, Shanghai, Belém, Bologna, Ho Chi Min City, Brazzaville, Amsterdam and Milan.

The Dubai WoodShow - the Middle Eastern and North African timber industry platform that supports over 10,000 professionals will host exhibitors from varied countries. ATIBT and the Dubai WoodShow have decided to join forces to create synergies between the two events and mutually benefit from their collective expertise.