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TD/TIMBER/11 I Rev.1

INTERNATIONAL TROPICALTIMBER AGREEMENT,·
1983

UNITED NATIONS

.

NOTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters com~bined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.

'I

TDITIMBERIll/Rev.I

J

UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION
SDles No. E.84.JJ.D.~OO4OOP

~.-.-~---.--..- - -CONTENTS
Pag~

Introduction ................................................................................... .
List of States and organizations represented at the United Nations Conference
on Tropical Timber, 1983 ..............................................................

4

Agenda of the United Nations Conference on Tropical Timber, 1983.............

S.

Resolutions adopted by the United Nations Conference on Tropical Timber,1983 .........................................................................................

6

International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 .......................................

7iD

INTRODUCTIONs.

In serncmg the Conference, the UNCTAD
secretariat was assisted by the secretariat of the Foodand AgricUlture Organization of the United Nations.
A number of other United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies of the United Nations, and twonational liberation movements invited to participate
pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 3280 (XXIX)
and 311152, sent observers to the Conference. Two intergovernmental organizations were admitted as
observers by decision of the Conference.'
6. At each part of the Conference, the credentials of
the representati\'es of States participating in the Conference were approved on the recommendation of theCredentials Committee.

1. The United Nations Conference on Trade andDevelopment, in its resolution 93 (IV) of 30 May 1976
on the Integrated Programme for Commodities, requested the Secretary-General of UNCI"AD to convene
preparatory meetings for international negotiations on
individual products and, as and when required, commodity negotiating conferences as soon as possible after
the completion of such preparatory meetings. Pursuant
to that resolution, six preparatory meetings on tropicaltimber were held between May 1977 and June 1982.
During that period, two intergovernmental groups ofexperts were convened to examine research and development and market intelligence issues. The Sixth
Preparatory Meeting, held from 1 to 11 June 1982,
recommended that a Meeting on Tropical Timber be
convened to further consider remaining institutional
issues and requested the Secretary-General of UNCI"ADto make provision with a view to convening anegotiating conference early in 1983.
2. Accordingly, pursuant to that request, a Meetingon Tropical Timber was held from 29 November to3 December 1982 and the Secretary-General of
UNCTAD convened the United Nations Conference on
Tropical Timber, 1983, on 14 March 1983. The Conference, which was opened by Mr. Alister Mclntyre,
Deputy Secretary-General of UNCI"AD, was held at the
Palais des Nations,Geneva, in two parts: the first from
14 to 31 March 1983 and the second from 7 to 18
November 1983. Mr. Tatsuro Kunugi (Japan) was
elected Chairman of the Conference, and Mr. Sunaryo
H. Darsono (Indonesia) and Mr. Alfonso Lopez
Araujo (Ecuador) were elected Vice-Chairmen.
3. The Conference had before it draft texts submitted by Japan,l the Governments of tropical timber producing countries,2 the Nordic countries, Finland, Norway and Sweden,3 and the United States of America.·
The UNCTAD secretariat prepared a working document containing these texts presented in tabular form.'

Structure of the Conference
7. At its 1st plenary meeting. on 14 March 1983, theConference adopted its agenda' and its rules of procedure' and established an Executive Committee of theWhole to deal with agenda items 7· and 8 in closed session. It subsequently appointed a Credentials Committee to examine the credentials of the representatives ofStates participating in the Conference.'
EXECUTIVE COMMllTEE

8. The Executive Committee, whose officers were
the same as those of the Conference, held 26 meetings.
At its 5th meeting, on 17 March 1983, it established a. Legal Drafting Committee. lo The Chairman convened,as and whe~ necessary, an informal contact group to
deal with a number of key issues pending in the Executive Committee. This Contact Group of the Chairman held 12 meetings. At its 26th meeting, on 18
November 1983, the Executive Comniittee, having examined a draft text of the International Tropical Timber
Agreement, 1983. and the texts of two draft resolutions,decided to recommend them for adoption by the Conference.
LEGAL DRAfTING COMMIlTEE

Participation and credentials

9. The Legal Drafting Committee. the membershipof which comprised Egypt, France, Gabon. Indonesia,
Ivory Coast, Japan. Mexico, Philippines. Spain,
Trinidad and Tobago, the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, the United Kingdom' of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland. and the United States of America,

4. Representatives of 69 States participated in the
Conference. The first part of the Conference was attended by the representatives of 65 States, 64 attending
as participants and one as an observer. and the second
part by the representatives of 64 States attending as participants. Representatives of the European Economic
Community participated in both parts of the Conference.

• For the list of States and organizations represented at the Conference, see page 4 below.
, TD/TIMBER/5, reproduced on page 5 below.
• TDITIMBERI2 and TDITIMBER/6.
, For the composition of the Credentials Committee, see paragraph
11 below .
" For the composition of the Legal Drafting Committee, seeparagraph 9 below.

1 TD/B/IPC/TIMBER/38 and Corr.1.
• TDITIMBER/R.2.
, TDITIMBER/R.3.
• TD/TIMBER/R.4.
, TD/TIMBER/R.1.

1was established to examine the texts of articles referred
to it for the purpose of ensuring consistency from thelegal and linguistic standpoints, and to correct all
linguistic, grammatical and typographical errors in the
Arabic, English, French. Russian and Spanish texts of
the Agreement.
10. The Legal Drafting Committee, which waschaired by Mr. Roger Taylor (United Kingdom), heldnine meetings.

maintaining the ecological balance in the regions concerned.
15. In order to provide an international framework
for the achievement of these objectives, the Agreement
establishes an International Tropical Timber Organization, which will function through the International
Tropical Timber Council and the following three permanent committees:.
(a) Committee on Economic Information andMarket Intelligence;(b) Committee on Reforestation and Forest Management; and. (c) Committee on Forest Industry.
The location of the headquarters of the Organization
will be decided on by the Council at its first session. At
the first part of the Conference, Belgium, France,
Greece, Japan, the Netherlands and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland offered
Brussels, Paris, Athens, the Tokyo Metropolitan Area,
Amsterdam and· London, respectively, as possible sites
for the headquarters of the Organization. At the second
part of the Conference, Indonesia offered Jakarta as apossible site for the headquarters.
16. The operational activities ofthe Council and thepermanent committees fall into two basic categories.
The first consists of arranging for the formulation andimplementation of projects in the fields of research anddevelopment, market intelligence, further and increased
processing, and reforestation and forest management.
The second consists, inter alia, of continuously
monitoring trade and ongoing activities in the tropicaltimber economy; reviewing regularly future needs oftrade and the support and assistance being provided atvarious levels for the production of tropical timber;
identifying and considering problems and possible solutions to them; conducting relevant studies; and encouraging increased transfer of know-how and technicalassistance .
. 17. Under the criteria specified in the Agreement,
projects should be related to the production and utilization of industrial tropical timber and yield benefits tothe tropical timber economy as a whole. They should
also be related to the maintenance and expansion of theinternational tropical timber trade and offer reasonable
prospects for positive economic returns in relation tocosts.

CREI>E.'''TlALS COMMITIEE

11. The Credentials Committee was appointed by·
the Conference at its 3rd plenary meeting, on 15 March
1983, with the following membership: Ghana,Thailand, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, UnitedStates of America, and Venezuela. The Committee,
which was chaired by Ms. Morella Ferrero (Venezuela),
held two meetings and prepared two reports," both ofwhich were approved by the Conference.
Closure of the Conference
12. At its 7th (closing) plenary meeting, on 18
November 1983, the Conference established the text of
the International Tropical Timber Agreement,1983. 1l
The United States of America reserved its position on
article 10 and article 2 (8) of the Agreement. The Conference also noted the intention of the producing coun. tries of Asia present at the Conference to pursue in theInternational Tropical Timber Council the question of awider definition of tropical timber products resulting
from further processing.
13. At the same meeting, the Conference, having
noted a statement of financial implications,'J adopted aresolution on the establishment of a Preparatory Committee for the International Tropical Timber Council
and a final resolution."
Main features of tbe Agreement

14. The main objective of the Agreement is to provide an effective framework for co-operation and consultation between tropical timber producing and consuming countries with regard to all relevant aspects ofthe tropical timber economy. The Agreement seeks topromote the expansion and diversification of international trade in tropical timber and the improvement ofstructural conditions in the tropical timber market; topromote research and development with a view to improving forest management and wood utilization; to improve market intelligence; to encourage increased andfurther processing of tropical timber in producing
member countries; to encourage reforestation andforest management activities; to improve marketing anddistribution of tropical timber exports of producing
members; and to encourage the development of national
policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources and at

18. The International Tropical Timber Organization will seek finance for projects approved by theCouncil. Such projects may be taken up by anotherfinancing and executing agency, or they may be financed from funds in the Special Account, establishedunder the Agreement, and carried out by an executing
agency. Possible sources of finance for the Special Account are the Second Account of the Common Fundwhen it is established, regional and international financing institutions, and voluntary contributions from
Governments or other sources.

TDITIMBERl7 and TD.:TIMBER/9.
" Reproduced on page 7 below.
IJ TDITIMBERlL.6/Add. I.
I. TDITIMBERI)O and Con. I , reproduced on page 6 below.

19. The Agreement provides that the International
Tropical Timber Organization shall, to the maximum
extent possible, utilize the facilities, services and expertise of existing intergovernmental, governmental or
non-governmental organizations, in order to avoid1/

2

duplication of efforts in achieving the objectives of theAgreement and to enhance the complementarity and theefficiency of their activities.

14 Governments of consuming countries holding at least

65 per cent of the total votes, as set out in annex B to theAgreement, have either signed the Agreement definitively or have deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval, or have notified the depositarythat they will apply the Agreement provisionally.
21. If the requirements for definitive or provisional
entry into force have not been met by. 1 April 1985, theSecretary-General of the United Nations is requested toinvite those Governments which have either signed theAgreement definitively, or have deposited instrumentsof ratification, acceptance or approval, or have notified
the depositary that they will apply the Agreement provisionally, to meet at the earliest time practicable todecide whether to put the Agreement into force provisionally or definitively among themselves in whole or inpart.
22. The Agreement will remain in force for a periodof five years from the date of its entry into force, unlessthe Council decides to extend, renegotiate or terminate
it. The Agreement provides that the Council may decide
to extend the Agreement for not more than two periodsof two years each.

Entry iIIlO force and duration
20. The Agreement is open for signature at United
Nations Headquarters from 2 January 1984 until one
month after the date of its entry into force by Governments invited to the United Nations Conference on
Tropical Timber, 1983. For the Agreement to enter into
force definitively, 12 Governments of producing countries holding at least SS per cent of the total votes as set
out in annex A to the Agreement, and 16 Governmentsof consuming countries holding at least 70 per cent of
the total votes as set out in annex B to the Agreement,
must either sign the Agreement definitively or deposit
instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. If the requirements for definitive entry into
force are not met by 1 October 1984, the Agreement willenter into force provisionally on that date or on any
date within six months thereafter, if 10 Governments ofproducing countries holding at least SO per cent of thetotal votes, as set out in annex A to the Agreement, and3

UST OF STATES AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED AT THE
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TROPICAL TIMBER, 1983*
U.Obsenen

I. Partldpaats
Argentina
Australia
Austria

Belaiwn··
Bolivia
BrazilBulgaria
Burma (second part)
CanadaCentral African Republic
Chile
Colombia
Congo
Costa Rica
Denmark

Dominican Republic(second part)
EcuadorEgypt
El Salvador
FinlandFranceGabon
Germany, Federal Republic of
Ghana
GreeceGuatemalaHaiti (first part)
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iraq (second part)
IrelandIsrael
Italy
Ivory CoastJapan
Jordan (second pan)

Liberia (flfSl part)
Luxembour,·"Madap.scar
Malaysia
Malta
MexicoNetherlands
New ZealandNigeria (first part)
NorwayPanama (fust part)
Peru
Philippines
Republic of Korea
Romania
Spain
Sudan
Suriname (fust part)
SwedenSwitzerland
ThailandTrinidad and Tobago'
TurkeyUnion of Soviet Socialist
Republics
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
United Republic of Cameroon
United Republic of Tanzania
United States of America
Venezuela
Viet Nam (second part)
Yugoslavia
Zaire

•

•

State

Burma (flfSl part)
Unit«l Nations
Economic Commission for Europe
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
United Nations Environment Programme.
International Trade Centre UNCTAD/GATTSpecillliud and reUJted agencies
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
International Labour Orpnisation
International Monetary Fund

•

•

•

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Intergovernmental organizations
African Timber Organization a
Permanent Secretariat of the General Treaty on Ccntr-.u American
Economic Inlegration b

National liberation movements
Pan Africanist Congress of Azaniac
South West Africa People's Organization (first part)d•• Panicipaled by decision of thc Confcrcnce at its 2nd plc/lar)' meeling, on 14
March /983.

European Ecomomic. Communiryb Panicipaled by decision of thc Confen:ncc at its IsI plcnary mcetinl. on 14
March 1983.

• The full list of panicipaots was distributed in docwnents TDITIMBER/INF./·and TDITIMBERlLIIIF.2 and Corr.1.
•• Belpwn represented LUAcmbourg at thc fust and second pans.

c invilcd 10 panicipale pursuant to Gencral Assembly resolution 3280
(XXIX).
d Invilcd to panicipate pursuanl 10 Gcncral Assembly resolulion 3//152 .

4

AGENDA OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON TROPICAL· TIMBER, 1983
1. Opening of the Conference.
2. Adoption of the agenda.
3. Adoption of the rules of procedure.
4. Election of officers.
S. Credentials of representatives:(Q) Appointment of a Credentials Committee;(b) Report of the Credentials Committee.
6. Establishment of an Executive Committee and of other committees as required.
7. Preparation of an International Tropical Timber Agreement.
8. Consideration and adoption of final resolutions.
9. Other business.

s

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY mE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON TROPICAL TIMBER, 1983

as soon as possible to the United Nations by the International Tropical Timber Organization.
7th plenary meeting
18 November 1983

REsoLUTION I

EstabHshment of • Preparatory Committee for the.
international Tropical TImber Council-

The United Nations Conference on Tropical Timber,

REsoLUTION 11

1983,

Final resolution

Desiring to facilitate the establishment of the proposed International Tropical Timber Organization,
1. Establishes a Preparatory Committee for the International Tropical Tunber Council to undertake thenecessary preparatory work for the first session of theCouncil;
2. Decides that the membership of the Preparatory
Committee shall be open to participants in the United
Nations Conference on Tropical Timber, 1983;
3. Requests the Secretary-General of UNCTAD toconvene a flfst one-week meeting of the Preparatory
Committee after sufficient substantive preparatory
work has been carried out and the relevant documentation distributed sufficiently in advance by the UNCTAD
secretariat and up to one other one-week meeting if
necessary;
4. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations, pursuant to article 37, paragraph 5, of the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983, to convene
the flfst session of the International Tropical Timber
Council as soon as possible after the entry into force of
the Agreement;
S. Further requests the Secretary-General of theUnited Nations to recommend to the General Assemblythat it provide the ad\'ances required for the meetings of
the Preparatory Committee and for the first session of
the International Tropical Timber Council, refundable

The United Nations Conference on Tropical Timber,
1983

Having met in Geneva from 14 to 31 March 1983 andfrom 7 to 18 November 1983,
Expressing its gratitude for the facilities and services
provided by the Secretary-General of UNCTAD~
Recording its appreciation of the contribution madeby the Chairman of the Conference and by its other officers, as well as by the secretariat,
Having established the text of the International
Tropical Tunber Agreement, 1983, in Arabic, English,
French, Russian and Spanish,
1. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to forward copies of the text of the Agreement to
all Governments and intergovernmental organizations
invited to the Conference for their consideration;
2. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to arrange for the Agreement to be open for
signature at United Nations Headquarters in New Yorkduring the period laid down in article 34 of the Agreement;
3. Draws allention to the procedures available toStates and to intergovernmental organizations referred
to in article 5 of the Agreement to become parties to theInternational Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983, and invites them to deposit the appropriate instruments to thisend.
7th plenary meeting
18 November 1983

• The Conference adopted this resolution, having noted a statementof fmancial implications contained in TDITIMBER/L.61Add.l.

6

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INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER AGREEMENT, 1983
CONTENTS
PREAMBLE ••••••••••• ••••••••••• ••••••••••• ••••••••••• •••••• •••••••••••
CltAP'reR I.

••••••••••• ••••••••••• ••••••••••• ••••••••••• •••••• ~OBJECTIVES

Anidr••••••••..••.••••••..••. ..••..•
1. Objectives. •.•••.•... .••.•..• .••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••.••••
CHAPTER 11.

8

DEFINITIONS...................

9

onal Tropical Timber
3. Establishment. headquarters and structure of the Internati........••.•.•••....
Organization... •.•..••.•..••..•..•.•.•.•.••••••.••••..••.•......•.•..•.....•......•..••••••..•.........
...........
..
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
tion
Organiza
4. Membership in the.........
...........
...........
...........
...........
ations...
organiz
3. Membership by intergovernmental

99
9

Definitions .••.•..••..••••..••.•..••.......•.•..•.•.••..•.•••.. ;~...............................

2.

ORGANIZATION AND ADMINls nv.TION

CHAPTER 111.

CHAPTER IV.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
13.
16.

ImERNAT lONAl. TaOPICA L TIMBER COUNCIL......... ..... ........
Composition of the International Tropical Timber Council ... ...... ..... .......
........... ......
Powers and functions of the Council ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
.......
...........
...........
...........
...........
l..........
COuncitheofairmanChairman and Vice-Ch.........
...........
...........
...
...........
...........
...........
Sessions of the Council ........... ...........
......... ........... ...
Distribution of votes... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... .........
Voting procedure of the Council ............ . ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ...
Decisions and recommendations of the Council ........... ........... ...........
........... ..........
...........
...........
...........
...........
Quorum for the Council ........... ...........
........... ........... .
Co-operation and co-ordination with other organizations ........... ...........
........... ...........
Admission of observers ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... .....
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
saff
Executive Director and
CHAPT.ER V.

PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNln ES........... ...

12........... ........
Financial account s.......... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...............................
Administrative Account .. ~.................................................................
........... ...........
Special Accoun t.......... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ..........
.........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
Forms of paymen t..........
........... ..........
Audit and publication of account s.......... ........... ........... ........... ...........

12
12
13
13
13

...........
17. Privileges and immuni ties...... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
CHAPTER VI.

18.
19.
20.
21.
22.

9
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11

CHAPTER VII.

FINANCEOPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES........... ........... .........
23. Projeets ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ....
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
escommitte
ofment
24. Establish.......... ......
...........
..........
...........
........
.........
........
........
.
es
23. Functions of the comtnitte
CHAPTER Vlll.

13
14
14

REL ....TIONSHIP WITH THE COMMON fuND FOR COMMODITIES........... ....

13........... ........... .....
27. Statistics, studies and information ........... .... ........... ........... ...........
........... ... ..........
...........
...........
........
...........
.....
.....
...........
review
andrepon
28. Annual

15

26.

...........
Relationship with the Common Fund for Commodities ........... ...........
CHAPTER IX.

ST....TlSTICS. STUDIES AND INFORMATIONCHAPTER X.

MISCELLANEOUS........... ........... ..........
29. Complaints and disputes ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ..
30. General obligations of member s.......... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... .
31. Relief from obligations ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ..
32. Differential and remedial measures and special measures ........... ...........
CHAPTER Xl.

33.
34.

IS

16
16
--16
16

FIN .... L PROVISIONS........... .....
Depositary ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
............ ...........
Signature, ratification, acceptance and approva l.......... ............ ............

7

16-

16

35. AAx:ession ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... .....
;.......... ........... ..
36. Notification of provisional application ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ...
37. Elltt)' into
38.
39.
40.
42.
43.
43.

force ........... ........... .... ......... ........... ......... ...... ........... ...... ...........
.........
Ammciments ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ..
Withdrawal ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... .........:.....
bdusio n ........... ..... ......... ...... ........... ........... ........... ........... .........
........... . ..........
SenJcme nI of accounts with withdraw in, or C)l;cluded members or
members unable to accept
an aInaldm ent....... . .......... ......... ....... ........... ........... . .......... ••. ......
...... ....... ...........
Duration , C)l;tension and tennina tion..... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... .
Reservations ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ........... ...........
........... ........... ...

16
16
17
17
17
17
17
18
18

ANNEX ESA.

Lisl of producin , countries with tropic:al forest resources and/or Det
Cllponel'S of tropicaltimber in volumet enns, and allocation of votes for the purposes of article
37....... ........... ...
B. Lisl of consumina countries and allocation ofvotes for the purposesof article 37........ .........
C. Statistical data and specific indicators needed as identified for themonitorina of international
tropic:al timber trade.. •.•••••• ••• ........... ........... .... .••..... ....... .... ...........
•••..•.. ........... .....

PREAMBLE

19
,19
20

benefit of both producing and consuming members andbearing in mind the sovereignty of producing members
over their natural resources, the objectives of the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983 (hereinafterreferred to as ..this Agreement") are:(a) To provide an effective framework for c0operation and consultation between tropical timber producing and consuming members with regard to all relevant aspects of the tropical timber economy;(b) To promote the expansion and diversification ofinternational trade in tropical timber and the improvement of structural conditions in the tropical timbermarket, by taking into account. on the one hand, along-term increase in consumption and continuity ofsupplies. and. on the other. prices which are
remunerative to producers and equitable for consumers,
and the improvement of market access;(c) To promote and support research and development with a view to improving forest management andwood utilization;

The Parties to this Agreement.
Recalling the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International
Economic Order adopted by the General Assembly,lRecalling resolutions 93 (IV) and 124 M on the Integrated Programme for Commodities adopted by theUnited nations Conference on Trade and Development
at its fourth and fifth sessions,
Recognizing the impon ance of, and the need for,proper and effective conservation and development of
tropical timber forests with a view to ensuring their optimum utiliza tion while maintaining the ecologicalbalance of the regions concerned and of the biosphere,
Recognizing the impon ance of tropical timber to theeconomies of members. particularly to the exports ofproducing members and the supply requirements ofconsuming members.
Desiring to establish a framework of international cooperati on between producing and consuming membersin rmding solutions to the problems facing the tropicaltimber economy.
Have agreed as follows:(d) To improve market intelligence, with a view to ensuring greater transparency in the international tropicaltimber market;(e) To encourage increased and further processing of
tropical timber in producing member countries with aview to promoting their industrialization and thereby increasing their expon earnings;(j) To encourage members to suppon and develop
industrial tropical timber reforestation and forest
management activities;(g) To improve marketing and distribution oftropical timber exports of producing members;(h) To encourage the development of national
policies aimed at sustainable utilization and conservation of tropical forests and their genetic resources, andat maintaining the ecological balance in the regions concerned.

CHAP TER I. OBJECTIVES
Article 1
OBJECTIVESWith a view to achieving the relevant objectives
adopted by the United Nation~ Conference on Tradeand Development in its resolutions 93 (IV) and 124 (V)on the Integrated Programme for Commodities, for the
I General Assembly resolutio ns
3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of 1
May 1974.

8

CHAPTER 11.

DEFINITIONSArticle 2
DmNmoNs
For the purposes of this Agreement:"Tropical timber" means non-coniferous
tropical wood for industrial uses, which grows or is produced in the countries situated between the Tropic ofCancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The term covers
logs, sawnwood,veneer sheets and plywood. Plywood
which includes in some measure conifers of tropicalorigin shall also be covered by this defInition;(2) ""Further processing" means the transformationof logs into primary wood products, semi-fmished andfmished products made wholly or almost wholly of
tropical timber;(3) "Member" means a Government or an intergovernmental organization referred to in article S
which has consented to be bound by this Agreement
whether it is in force provisionally or defmitively;(4) "Producing member" means any country withtropical forest resources and/or a net exporter oftropical timber in volume terms which is listed in annex A and which becomes a party to this Agreement, or
any country with tropical forest resources and/or a net
exporter of tropical timber in volume terms which is not
so listed and which becomes a party to this Agreement
and which the Council, with the consent of that country, declares to be a producing member;(S) "Consuming member" means any country listed
in annex B which becomes a party to this Agreement, or
any country not so listed which becomes a party to thisAgreement and which the Council, with the consent ofthat country, declares to be a consuming member;(6) "Organization" means the International
Tropical Timber Organization established in accordancewith article 3;(7) "Council" ·means the International Tropical
Timber Council established in ac!=ordance with article 6;(8) "Special vote" means a vote requiring at least
two thirds of the votes cast by producing members present and voting and at least 60 per cent of the votes castby consuming members present and voting, counted
separately, on condition that these votes are cast by atleast half of the producing members present and voting
and at least half of the consuming members present andvoting;(9) "Simple distributed majority vote" means avote requiring more than half of the votes cast by producing members present and voting and more than halfof the votes cast by consuming members present andvoting, counted separately;(10) "Financial year" means the period from 1
January to 31 December inclusive;(11) "Freely usable currencies" means the deutschemark, the French franc, the Japanese yen~ the poundsterling, the United States dollar and any other currency
which has been designated from time to time by a competent international monetary organization as being infact widely used to make payments for internationaltransactions and widely traded in the principal exchange
markets.
(1)

CHAPTER Ill. ORGANIZATION
AND ADMINISTRATION
Article 3
ESTABLISHMENT. HEADQUARTERS AND STRUCTURE OF TIfE
INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER ORGANIZATION

1. The International Tropical Timber Organizationis hereby established· to· administer the provisions andsupervise the operation of this Agreement.
2. The Organization shall function through the International Tropical Timber Council established underarticle 6, the committees and other subsidiary bodies
referred to in article 24, and the Executive Director andstaff.
3. The Council shall, at its fIrst. session, decide on
the location of the headquarters of the Organization.
4. The headquarters of the Organization shall at all
times be located in the territory of a member.
Article 4
MEMBERSHIP IN 1HE ORGANIZATION

There shall be two categories of membership in the
Organization, namely:(0) Producing; and(b) Consuming.
Article 5
MF.MBERSHIP BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

1. Any reference in this Agreement to "Governments" shall be construed as including the European
Economic Community and any other intergovernmentalorganization having responsibilities in respect of thenegotiation, conclusion and application of international
agreements, in particular commodity agreements. Accordingly, any reference in this Agreement to signature,
ratifIcation, acceptance or approval, or to notificationof provisional application, or to accession shall, in thecase of such intergovernmental organizations, be construed as including a reference to signature, ratification,
acceptance or approval, or to notifIcation of provisional
application, or to accession, by such intergovernmentalorganizations.
2. In the case of voting on matters within their competence, such intergovernmental organizations shallvote with a number of votes equal to the total number ofvotes attributable to their member States in accordancewith article 10. In such cases, the member States of suchintergovernmental organizations shall not be entitled toexercise their individual voting rights.
CHAPTER IV. INTERNATIONALTROPICAL TIMBER COUNCIL
Article 6
COMPOSlTION OF TIfE INTERNATIONALTROPICAL TIMBER COUNCIL

1. The highest authority of the Organization shallbe the International Tropical Timber Council, whichshall consist of all the members of the Organization .

..... .

2. Each member shall be represented in the Council
by one representative and may designate alternates andadvisers to attend sessions of the Council.
3. An alternate representative shall be empoweredto act and vote on behalf of the representative during
the latter'S absence or in special circumstances.
Article 7
POWER S AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL

1. The Council shall exercise all such powers andperform or arrange for the performance of all suchfunctions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Agreement.
2. The Council shall, by special vote, adopt suchrules and regulations as are necessary to carry out theprovisions of this Agreement, including its own rules ofproced ure and the fmancial and staff regulations of theOrgani zation. Such financial regulations shall, interalia, govern the receipt and expenditure of funds under. the Administrative and Special Accounts. The Council
may, in its rules of procedure, provide for a procedure
whereby it may, without meeting, decide specific questions.
3. The Council shall keep such records as are required for the performance of its functions under thisAgreement.
Article 8
CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL

1. The Council shaD elect for each calendar year a
Chairm an and a Vice-Chairman, whose salaries shallnot be paid by the Organization.
2. The Chairm an and tbe Vice-Chairman shall beelected. one from among tbe representatives of producing members and the otber from among tbe representatives of consuming members. These offices sball alternate each year between the two categories of members,
provided, however, that this shall not prohibit there-election of either or both, under exceptional circumstances, by special vote of the Council.
3. In the temporary absence of the Chairman, theVice-Chairman shall act in his place. In the temporary
absence of both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman,
or in the absence of one or both of them for the rest of
the term for which they were elected, the Council may
elect new officers from among the representatives of the
producing members and/or from among the representatives of the consuming members, as the case may be.
on a temporary basis or for the rest of the term forwhich the predecessor or predecessors were elected.
Article 9
SESSIONS OF mE COUNCIL

1. As a general rule, the Council shall hold at least
one regular session a year.
2. The Council shall meet in special session
whenever it so decides or at the request of:(a) The Executive Director, in agreement with the
Chairm an of the Council; or
10(b) A majority of producing members or a majority
of consuming members; or(c) Members holding at least 500 votes.
3. Sessions of the Council shall be held at the headquarters of the Organization unless the Council, byspecial vote, decides otherwise. If on the invitation ofany member the Council meets elsewhere than at theheadquarters of the Organization, that member shall
pay the additional cost of holding the meeting awayfrom headquarters.
4. Notice of any sessions and the agenda for suchsessions shall be communicated to members by the Executive Director at least six weeks in advance, except incases of emergency, when notice shall be communicatedat least seven days in advance.

Article 10
DISTJUBl1110N OF VOTES

1. The producing members shall together hold 1,000
votes and the consuming members shall together hold1,000 votes.
2. The votes of the producing members shall be
distributed as follows:(a) Four hundred votes shaD be distributed equally
among the three producing regions of Africa, AsiaPacific and Latin America. The votes thus allocated toeach of these regions shall then be distributed equally
among the producing members of that region;(b) Three hundred votes shall be distributed among
the producing members in accordance with their respective shares of the total tropical forest resources of all
p'roducing members; and(c) Three hundred votes shaD be distributed among
the producing members in propon ion to the average ofthe values of their respective net exports of tropicaltimber during the most recent three-year period for~hich definitive figures are available.
3. Notwit~standing the provisions of paragr aph 2 ofthis anicle, the total votes allocated to the producing
members from the African region, calculated in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, shall be
distributed equally among all producing members fromthe African region. If there are any remaining votes,
each of these votes shall be allocated to a producing
member from the African region: th°e first to the producing member which is allocated the highest number ofvotes calculated in accordance with paragr aph 2 of thisarticle, the second to the producing member which isallocated the second highest number of votes, and so on
until all the remaining votes have been distributed.
4. For purposes of the calculation of the distribution of votes under paragraph 2 (b) of this article,"tropic al forest resources" means productive closed
broadJeaved forests as defmed by the Food andAgriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
5. The votes of the consuming members shall be
distributed as follows: each consuming member shallhave 10 initial votes; the remaining votes shall be
distributed among the consuming members in propor tion to the average volume of their respective net imports of tropical timber during the three-year period

commencing four calendar years prior to the distribution of votes.
6. The Council shall distribute the votes for eachfinancial year at the beginning of its first session of thatyear in accordance with the provisions of this article.
Such distribution shall remain in effect for the rest ofthat year, except as provided for in paragraph 7 of thisarticle.
7. Whenever the membership of th~ Organization
changes or when any member has its voting rights
suspended or restored under any provision of thisAgreement, the Council shall redistribute the votes
within the affected category or categories of members inaccordance with the provisions of this article. The
Council shall, in that event, decide when such
redistribution shall become effective.
8. There shall be no fractional votes.
Article 11
VOTING PROCEDURE OF 11IE COUNCI L

1. Each member shall be entitled to cast the numberof votes it holds and no member shall be entitled todivide its votes. A member may, however, cast differently from such votes any votes which it is authorized
to cast under paragraph 2 of this article.
2. By written notification to the Chairman of theCouncil, any producing member may authorize, under
its own responsibility. any other producing member,and any consuming member may authorize, under its
own responsibility, any other consuming member, torepresent its interests and to cast its votes at any meetingof the Council.
3. When abstaining, a member shall be deemed not
to have cast its votes.
Article 12
DECISIO NS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNCI L

1. The Council shall endeavour to take all decisions
and to make all recommendations by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, the Council shall take all decisions and make all recommendations by a simple
distributed majority vote, unless this Agreement provides for a special vote.
2. Where a member avails itself of the provisions ofarticle 11. paragraph 2. and its votes are cast at a
meeting of the Council. such member shall, for the purposes of paragraph 1 of this article, be considered aspresent and voting.
Article 13
QUORU M FOR THE COUNCI L

The quorum for any meeting of the Council shallbe the presence of a majority of producing members anda majority of consuming members, provided that suchmembers hold at least two thirds of the total votes intheir respective categories.
2. If there is no quorum in accordance withparagraph 1 of this article on the day fIXed for the
meeting and on the following day, the quorum on thesubsequent days of the session shall be the presence of a1.

majority of producing members and a majority of consuming members, provided that such members hold amajority of the total votes in their respective categories.
3. Representation in accordance with article 11 ,paragraph 2, shall be considered as presence.
Article 14
CO-OPE RATION AND CO-ORDINATION
Wl11i 011iER ORGANIZATIONS

1. The Council shall make whatever arrangements
are appropriate for consultation or co~peration with
the United Nations and its organs, such as the United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) , the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/G AIT (ITC), and with
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United,
Nations (FAO) and such other specialized agencies of
the United Nations and intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations as may be appropriate.
2. The Organization shall, to the maximum extent
possible, utilize the facilities, services and expertise ofexisting intergovernmental, governmental or nongovernmental organizations, in order to avoid duplication of efforts in achieving the objectives of this Agreement and to enhance the complementarity and the efficiency of their activities.
Article 15
ADMISSION OF OBSERVERSThe Council may invite any non-member Government or any of the organizations referred to in articles
14, 20 and 27 concerned with tropical timber to attend
as observers any of the meetings of the Council.
Article 16
EXECUT IVE DIRECT OR AND STAFF

1. The Council shall, by special vote, appoint the
Executive Director.
2. The terms and conditions of appointment of the
Executive Director shall be determined by th~ Council.
3. The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization and shall be
responsible to the Council for the administration andoperation of 'this Agreement in accordance with decisions of the Council.
4. The Executive Director shall appoint the staff inaccordance with regulations to be established by theCouncil. At its first session, the Council shall, by special
vote, decide the number of executive and professional
staff the Executive Director may appoint. Any changes
in the number of executive and profeSsional staff shallbe decided by the Council by special vote. The staff
shall be responsible to the Executive Director.
5. Neither the Executive Director nor any memberof the staff shall have any financial interest in the11tropica l timber industr y or trade, or associated commercial activities.
6. In the perform ance of their duties, the Executive
Director and staff shall not seek or receive instructions
from any membe r or from any author ity external to theOrgani zation. They shall refrain from any action whichmight reflect on their positions as international officials
ultimately responsible to the Council. Each member
shall respect the exclusively international charac ter ofthe responsibilities of the Executive Director and staff
and shall not seek to influence them in the discharge of
their responsibilities.

CHAP TER VI.

FINANCE

Article 18
FINANC IAL ACCOUNTS

1. There shall be established two accounts:(a) The Administrative Account; and(b) The Special Account.
2. The Executive Director shall be responsible forthe administration of these accounts and the Council
shall make provision in its rules of procedure therefo r.

Article /9
AOMlN IsntAnV E ACCOU NTCHAP TER V.

PRIVI LEGES AND IMMUNITIESArticle 17
PJUVILECiES AND IMMUN mES

1. The Organi zation shall have legal personality. It
shall in particu lar have the capacity to contract, to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable proper ty,
and to institute legal proceedings.
2.. The Organi zation shall, as soon as possible after
the entry into force of this Agreement, seek to conclude
with the Government of the country in which the headquarter s of the Organi zation is to be located (hereinafterreferred to as the "host Government") an agreement(hereinafter referred to. as the "Headq uarters Agreement" ) relating to such status, privileges and immunities of the Organiz.ation, of its Executive Director,
its staff and experts, and of representatives of members,
as are necessary for the purpose of discharging their.... functions.
3. Pendin g the conclusion of the Headquarters
Agreement referred to in paragraph 2 of this article, theOrganization shall request the host Government togrant, within the limits of its national legislation, ex.,emption from taxatio n on remuneration paid by theOrganization to its employees, and on the assets, income and other proper ty of the Organization.
4. The Organization may also conclude, with one ormore countries, agreements to be approved by theCouncil relating to such capacity, privileges and immunities as may be necessary for the proper functioningof this Agreement.
S. If the headqu arters of the Organization is moved
to anothe r countr y, the member in question shall, as
soon as possible, conclude with the Organization aheadqu arters agreement to be approved by the Council.

6; The Headq uarters Agreement shall be independent of this Agreement. It shall, however, terminate:(a) By agreement between the host Government andthe Organization;(b) In the event of the headquarters of the Organization being moved from the country of the host Government; or(c) In the event of the Organization ceasing to exist.
12

1. The expenses necessary for the administration ofthis Agreement shall be brought into the Administrative
Account and shall be met by annual contributions paidby members in accordance with their respective constitutional or institutional procedures and assessed inaccordance with paragraphs 3, 4 and S of this article.
2. The expenses of delegations to the Council, thecommittees and any other subsidiary bodies of theCouncil referred to in article 24 shall be met by themembers concerned. In cases where a member requests
special services from the Organization, the Council shallrequire that member to pay the costs of such services.
3. Before the end of each financial year, the Council
shall approve the administrative budget of theOrganization for the following financial year and shallassess the contribution of each member to that budget.
4. The contribution of each member to the administrative budget for each financial year shall be in
the proportion which the number of its votes at the time
the administrative budget for that fmancial year is approved bears to the total votes of all the members. In
assessing contributions, the votes of each member shallbe calculated without regard to the suspension of any
member's voting rights or any redistribution of votes
resulting therefrom. .
s. The initial contribution of any member joining
the Organization after the entry into force of this Agreement shall be assessed by the Council on the basis of thenumbe r of votes to be held by that member and theperiod remaining in the current fin~cial year, but theassessment made upon other members from the current
financial year shall not thereby be altered.
6. Contributions to the first administrative budget
shall become due on a date to be decided by the Council
at its first session. Contributions to subsequent administrative budgets shall become due on the first day ofeach financial year. Contributions of members in
respect of the fmancial year in which they join the
Organization shall be due OD the date on which they
become members.
7. If a member has not paid its full contribution to
the administrative budget within four qlonths after suchcontribution becomes due in accordance withparagraph 6 of this article, the Executive Director shallrequest that member to make payment as quickly as
possible. If that member has still not paid its contribution within two months after such request, that member

9. In the event that voluntary unearmarked funds
are offered to the Organization, the Council may accept
such funds. Such funds may be utilized for pre-project
activities as well as for approved projects.
10. The Executive Director shall endeavour to seek,
on such terms and conditions as the Council may
decide, adequate and assured fmance for projects approved by the Council.
11. Contributions for specified approved projects
shall be used only for the projects for which they wereoriginally intended, unless otherWise decided by theCouncil in agreement with the contributor. After thecompletion of a project, the Organization shall return toeach contributor for specific projects the balance of any
funds remain.iq pro rata to each contributor's share in
the total of the contributions originally made available
for fmancing that project, unless otherwise agreed to by
the contributor.

shall be requested to state the reasons for its inabilitY to
make payment. If at the expiry of seven months fromthe due date of contribution, that member has still not
paid its contribution, its voting rights shall be suspended
and an interest charge shall be levied on its late contribution at the central bank rate of the host country until such time as it has paid in full its contribution, unlessthe Council, by special vote, decides otherwise.
8. A member whose rights have been suspended
under paragraph 7 of this article shall remain liable topay its contribution.
Article 20
SPECIAL ACCOUNT

1. There shall be established two sub-accounts
under the Special Account:(a) The Pre-Project Sub-Account; and(b) The Project Sub-Account.
2. The possible sources of fmance for the Special
Account shall be:(a) The Second Account of the Common Fund forCominodities; when it becomes operational;(b) Regional and international fmancial institutions;and(c) Voluntary contributions.
3. The resources of the Special Account shall be
used only for approved projects or for prc-project activities.
4. All expenditures under the Pre-Project SubAccount shall be reimbursed from the Project SubAccount if projects are subsequently approved andfunded. If within six months of the entry into force of
this Agreement the Council does not receive any funds
for the Prc-Project Sub-Account, it shall review thesituation and take appropriate action.
. 5. All receipts pertaining to specific identifiable projects shall be brought into the Special Account. All
expenditures' incurred on such' projects, including
remuneration and travel expenses of consultants and experts, shall be charged to the Special Account.
6. The Council shall, by special vote, establish terms
and conditions on which it would, when and where appropriate, sponsor projects for loan fmancing, where amember or members have voluntarily assumed fullobligations and responsibilities for such loans. The
Organization shall have no obligations for such loans.
7. The Council may nominate and sponsor any entity with the consent of that entity, including a member
or members, to receive loans for the financing of approved projects and to undertake all the obligations involved, except that the Organization shall reserve toitself the' right to monitor the use of resources and tofollow up on the implementation of projects so financed. However, the Organization shall not be responsible
for guarantees voluntarily provided by individual
members or other entities.
8. No member shall be responsible by reason of its
membership in the Organization for any liability arisingfrom borrowing or lending by any other member or entity in connection with projects.

Article 21
FORMS OF PAYMENT

1. Contributions to the Administrative Accountshall be payable in freely usable currencies and shall be
exempt from foreign-exchange restrictions.
2. Financial contributions to the Special Accountshall be payable in freely usable currencies and shall be
exempt from foreign-exchange restrictions.
3. The Council may also decide to accept otherforms of contributions to the SPecial Account, including scientific and technical equipment or personnel,
to meet the requirements of approved projects.
Article 22
AUDIT AND PUBLICATION OF ACCOUNTS.

1. The Council shall appoint independent auditors
for the purpose of auditing the accounts of theOrganization.
2. Independently audited statements of the Administrative Account and of the Special Account shallbe made available to members as soon as possible after
the close of each financial year, but not later than six
months after that date, and be considered for approvalby the Council at its next session, as appropriate.
A summary of the audited accounts and balance sheet
shall thereafter be published.

CHAPTER VII.

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIESArticle 23
PROJECTS

1. All project proposals shall be submitted to theOrganization by members and shall be examined by therelevant committee.
2. In order to achieve the objectives set out in article I, the Council shall examine all project proposals in
the fields of research and development, market intelligence, further and increased processing in developing producing member countries, and reforestation andforest management, together with the recommendation
13

submit ted by the relevan t commi ttee; such project proposals based on tropica l timber as defined in article 2,paragr aph 1, may encom pass tropica l timber produc~sother than those listed in article 2, paragr aph 1. Thls
provisi on shall also apply, where rel~vant~ to the functions of the commi ttees as set forth 10 arucle 2S.
3. On the basis of the criteria set out in paragr aph 6
or paragr aph 7 of this article, the Counci l shall, byspecial vote, approv e project s 'for financing or sponso rship in accord ance with article 20.
4. The Counci l shall, on a continu ing basis, arrange
for the implem entatio n of, and with a view to ensurin g
their effectiv eness follow up, approv ed project s.
S. Resear ch and develo pment project s should relate
to at least one of the following five'are as:(a) Wood utilizat ion, includi ng the utilizat ion oflesser-k nown and lesser-used species;(b) Natura l forest develo pment;(c) Refore station develo pment;(d) Harves ting, logging infrast ructure , training oftechnical person nel;(e) Institu tional framew ork, nationa l plannin g.
6. Projec ts on researc h and develo pment approv edby the Counci l shall be consistent with each of thefollowing criteria :(a) They should be related to the produc tion andutilizat ion of industr ial tropica l timber;(b) They should yield benefits to the tropica l timber
econom y as a whole and be relevant to produc ing as wellas consum ing membe rs;(c) They should be related to the mainte nance and expansio n of the interna tional tropica l timber trade.;(d) They should offer reasona ble prospec ts for
positive econom ic returns in relation to costs; and(e) They shall make maxim um use of existing
research institut ions and, to the greatest extent possible,
avoid duplica tion of efforts .
'7. Project s in the fields of market intelligence, further and increas ed proceSsing; and refores tation andforest manag ement, should be consistent with criterio n(b) and, as far as possibl e, consistent with criteria (a),(c), (d) and (e) as contain ed in paragra ph 6 of this article.
8. The Counci l shall decide on the relative priorities
of project s, taking into accoun t the interests andcharact eristics of each of the produc ing regions. Initially, the Counci l shall give priority to research anddevelop ment project profile s as endorse d by the Sixth
Prepar atory Meetin g on Tropic al Timber under the Integrate d Progra mme for Commo dities and to such otherproject s as the Counci l may approv e.
9. The Counci l may, by special vote, termina te its
sponso rship of any project .

Article 24
ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEES

1. The following commi ttees are hereby establishedas perman ent commi ttees of the Organi zation:(a) Comm ittee on Econom ic Inform ation andMarket Intelligence;

14(b) Comm ittee on Refore station and Forest Manag ement; and(c) Comm ittee on Forest Industr y.
2. The Council may, by sPecial vote, establish suchother committees and subsidi ary bodies as it deems appropria te and necessary.
3. The committees and subsidiary bodies referred toin paragra phs 1 and 2 of this article shall be respons ible
to, and work under the general directio n of, the Council. Meetings of the commi ttees and subsidi ary bodies
shall be convened by the Counci l.
4. Partici pation in each of the commi ttees shall be
open to all membe rs. The rules of proced ure of the committees shall be decided by the Counci l.

Article 25
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMIlTEES

1. The Comm ittee on Econom ic Inform ation andMarket Intelligence shall:(a) Keep under review the availability and quality ofstatistics and other inform ation require d by theOrgani zation;(b) Analyse the statistical data and specific indicat ors
as identifi ed in annex C for the monito ring of interna tional tropica l timber trade;(c) Keep under continu ous review the interna tional
tropica l timber market , its current situatio n and shortterm prospec ts on the basis of the data mentio ned insubpar agraph (b) above and other relevan t inform ation;(d) Make recomm endatio ns to' the Counci l on theneed for, and nature of, approp riate studies on tropica ltimber , including long-te rm prospects of the interna tional tropica l timber market , and monito r and review
any studies commissioned by the Counci l;(e) Carry out any other tasks related to the econom ic,
technical and statistical aspects of tropica l timberassigned to it by the'Cou ncil;(j) Assist in the prOVision of technical co-ope ration
to produc ing membe rs to improv e their relevan t
statistic al services.
2. The Comm ittee on Refore station and Forest
Manag ement shall:(a) Keep under regular review the suppor t andassistance being provide d at a nationa l and interna tional
level for refores tation and forest manag ement' for the
produc tion of industr ial tropica l timber;(b) Encour age the increas e of technical assistance tonationa l program mes for refores tation and forest
manag ement;(c) Assess the require ments and identify all possible
sources of financing for refores tation and forest
manag ement;(d) Review regularly future needs of interna tional
trade in industr ial tropical timber and, on this basis,
identif y and consider approp riate possible schemes andmeasures in the field of refores tation and forest
manag ement;(e) Facilita te transfe r of knowledge in the field ofrefores tation and forest manage ment with the assistanceof compe tent organiz ations;

or strengthening the research and development activities
and capacities of members, particularly producing
members; and to promote the transfer of researchknow-how and· techniques among members, particularly
among producing members.

(j) Co-ordinate and harmonize these activities for cooperation in the field of reforestation and forest
management with the relevant activities pursued elsewhere, such as those under FAO, UNEP, the World
Bank, regional banks and other competent organizations.
3. The Committee on Forest Industry shall:(a) Promote co-operation between producing andconsuming members as partners in the development ofprocessing activities in producing member countries, inter alia, in the following areas: .
(i) Transfer of technology;(ii) Training;(iii) Standardization of nomenclature of tropicaltimber;(iv) Harmonization of specifications of processed
products;(v) Encouragement of investment and joint
ventures; and(vi) Marketing;(b) Promote exchange of information in order tofacilitate structural changes involved in increased andfurther processing in the interests of both producing andconsuming members;(c) Monitor ongoing activities in this field, and identify and consider problems and possible solutions tothem in co-operation with the competent organizations;(cl) Encourage the increase of technical assistance tonational programmes for the processing of tropicaltimber.
.

CHAPTER VIII. RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
COMMON FUND FOR COMMODITIESArticle 26 .
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMON FUND
FOR COMMODITIESWhen the Common Fund becomes operational, theOrganization shall take full advantage of the facilities of
the Second Account of the Common Fund according to
the principles set out in the Agreement Establishing theCommon Fund for Commodities.

CHAPTER IX. STATISTICS, STUDIESAND INFORMATION
Article 27
STATISTICS, STUDIES AND INFORMATION

1. The Council shall establish close relationships
with appropriate intergovernmental, governmental andnon-governmental organizations, in order to help ensure the availability of recent and reliable data and information on all factors concerning tropical timber. The
Organization, in co-operation with such organizations,shall compile, collate and, as necessary, publish suchstatistical information on production, supply, trade,stocks, consumption and market prices of tropicaltimber, and on related areas, as is necessary for theoperation of this Agreement.
2. Members shall, to the fullest extent possible notinconsistent with their national legislation, furnish,within a reasonable time, statistics and information on
tropical timber requested by the Council.
3. The Council shall arrange to have any necessary
studies undertaken of the trends and of short- and longterm problems of the world tropical timber market.
4. The Council shall ensure thar information furnished by members shall Dot be used in such a manner as
to prejudice the confidentiality of the operations of persons or companies producing, processing or marketing
tropical timber.

4. Research and development shall be a common
function of the committees established under article 24,paragraph 1.
S. In view of the close relationship between researchand development, refgrestation and forest management, increased and further processing, and market intelligence, each of the permanent committees, in addition to carrying out the functions assigned to it above,
shall, with regard to project proposals referred to it, including those on research and development in its area ofcompetence:(a) Consider and technically appraise and evaluate. project proposals;(b) In accordance with general guidelines establishedby the Council, decide on and implement pre-project activities necessary for making recommendations on project proposals to the Council; .
(c) Identify possible sources of fmance for projects
referred to in article 20, paragraph 2;(d) Follow up the implementation of projects andprovide for the collection and dissemination of theresults of projects as widely as possible for the benefit of
all members;(e) Make recommendations to the Council relating toprojects;(j) Carry out any other tasks related to projects
assigned to it by the Council.

Article 28
ANNUAL REPORT AND REVIEW. 1. The Council shall, within six months after theclose of each calendar year, publish an annual report on
its activities and such other information as it considers
appropriate.
2. The Council shall annually review and assess theworld tropical timber situation and exchange views on
the outlook for, and ·other issues closely related to, theworld tropical timber economy, including ecologicaland environmental aspects.

6. In carrying out these common functions, eachcommittee shall take into account the need to strengthen
the training of persormei in producing member countries; to consider and propose modalities for organizingIS3. The review shall be carried out in the light of:(a) Inform ation supplie d by membe rs in relation tonationa l produc tion, trade, supply , stocks, consum ption and prices of tropica l timber ;(b) Statisti cal daw and specific indicat ors provide dby membe rs on the areas listed in annex C; and(c) Such other relevan t inform ation as may beavailab le to the Counc il· either directly or throug h theapprop riate organi zations in the United Nation s system
and approp riate intergo vernme ntal, govern mental or
non-go vernme ntal organiz ations.
4. The results of the review shall be included in thereports of the Counc il's deliber ations.

consid er taking approp riate measures in accord ancewith section Ill, paragra phs 3 and 4, of resolut ion 93(IV) of the United Nation s Confer ence on Trade andDevelo pment.
.
2. Membe rs in the categor y of least developed countries as defined by the United Nation s may apply to theCounci l for special measures in accord ance with section
Ill, paragr aph 4, of resolution 93 (IV) and withparagr aph 82 of the Substa ntial New Progra mme of Action for the 1980s for the Least Developed Countr ies.

CHAP TER XI.

FINAL PROVI SIONS

Article 33
CHAP TER X.

DEPOSIT ARYMISCE LLAN EOUS

The Secreta ry-Gen eral· of the United Nations ishereby designated as the deposit ary of this Agreem ent.

Article 29
COMPLA INTS AND DISPUTES

Any compla int that a membe r has failed to fulfil its
obligat ions under this Agreem ent and any dispute concerning the interpr etation or applica tion of this Agreement shall be referre d to the Council for decision. Decisions of the Counci l on these matters shall be final andbindin g.

Article 30
GENERA L OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

I. Membe rs shall for the duratio n of this· Agreement
use their best endeav ours and co-ope rate to promo te theattainm ent of its objecti ves and to avoid any action contrary thereto .
2. Membe rs undert ake to accept as binding decisions of the Counci l under the provisions of this Agreement and shall seek to refrain from implementing
measur es which would have the effect of limiting or running counte r to them.

Article 34
SIGNAT URE. RATIFICATION. ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

I. This Agreement shall be open for signatu re at
United Nation s Headqu arters from 2 Januar y 1984 until
one month after the date of its entry into force byGovern ments invited to the United Nation s Confer enceon Tropic al Timber , 1983.
2. Any Govern ment referred to in paragra ph 1 ofthis article may:(a) At the time of signing this Agreem ent, declarethat by such signatu re it expresses its consent to bebound by this Agreement (definitive signature); or(b) After signing this Agreement, ratify, accept orapprov e it by the deposit of an instrum ent to that effectwith the deposit ary.

Article 35. Article 3/

ACCESSIONRELIEF FROM OBLIGATIONS

1. This Agreement shall be open for accession by
the Govern ments of all States upon conditi ons established by the Counci l, which shall include a time-limit
for the deposit of instrum ents of accession. The Council
may, however, grant extensions of time to Govern ments
which are unable to accede by the time-limit set in theconditi ons of accession.
2. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an
instrum ent of accession with the depositary.

I. Where it is necessa ry on accoun t of exceptional
circum stances or emerge ncy or force majeure not expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Council
may, by special vote, relieve a member of an obligation
under this Agreement if it is satisfied by an explan ationfrom that member regardi ng the reasons why the obligation cannot be met.
2. The Counci l, in grantin g relief to a membe runder paragra ph 1 of this article, shall state explicitly
the terms and conditi ons on which, and the period forwhich, the membe r is relieved of such obligation, andthe reason s for which the relief is granted .

Article 36
NOTIFICATION OF PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

Article 32

A signato ry Govern ment which intends to ratify, accept or approv e this Agreement, or a Govern ment for
which the Council has established conditions for accession but which has not yet been able to deposit its instrument, may, at any time, notify the depositary that it will
apply this Agreement provisionally either when it enters
into force in accord ance with article 37, or, if it isalready in force, at a specified date.

DIFFERENTIAL AND REMEDIAL MEASURESAND SPECIAL MEASURES

1. Developing import ing members whose interests
are adversely affecte d by measures taken under thisAgreem ent may apply to the Council for approp riate
differe ntial and remedi al measures. The Council shall16

Article 37
ENTIlY INTO FORCE

1 This Agreement shall enter into force definitively
on '1 October 1984 or on any date thereafter, if 12
Governments of producing countries holding least SS
per cent of the total votes as set out in annex.A to thisAgreement, and 16 Governments of consummg countries holding at least 70 per cent of the total vf>tes as ~out in annex B to this Agreement have signed thIS
Agreement definitively or have ratified, accept~ or approved it or acceded thereto pursuant to article 34,
paragraph 2, or article 35~
2. If this Agreement has not entered into force
definitively on 1 October 1984, it shall enter i~to .forr::
provisionally on that date or on any date wlthm .SIX
months thereafter, if 10 Governments of producmg
countries holding at least SO per cent of the total votes as
set out in annex A to this Agreement, and 14 Governments of consuming countries holding at least 65 percent of the total votes as set out in annex B to thisAgreement, have signed this Agreement definitively. or
have ratified, accepted or approved it pursuant to article
34, paragraph 2, or have notified !he depositary und~r
article 36 that they will apply this Agreement proVIsionally.
3. If the requirements for entry into force underparagraph 1 or paragraph 2 of this article have not been
met on 1 April 1985, the Secretary-General of theUnited Nations shall invite those Governments whichhave signed this Agreement definitively or have ratified,.
accepted or approved it pursuant to article 34,
paragraph 2, or have notified the depositary that they
will apply this Agreement provisionally, to meet at theearliest time practicable to decide whether to put thisAgreement into force provisionally or definitively
among themselves in whole or in part. Governments
which decide to put this Agreement into force provisionally among themselves may meet from time totime to review the situation and decide whether thisAgreement shall enter into force definitively among
themselves.
4. For any Government which has not notified the.depositary under article 36 that it will apply this Agreement provisionally and which deposits its instrument of
ratification, acceptance, approval or accession after theentry into force of this Agreement, this Agreement shallenter into force on the date of such deposit. .
S. The Secretary-General of the United Nations
shall convene the first session of the Council as soon as
possible after the entry into force of this Agreement.

atthe producing members and accounting for at least 8S
per cent of the votes of the producing members, andfrom members constituting at least two thirds of theconsuming members and accounting for at least 8S percent of the votes of the consuming members.
·4. After the depositary infonns the Council that therequirements for entry into force of the amendment
have been met, and notwithstanding the provisions ofparagraph 2 of this anicle rel~ting !o the date f~ed by
the Council, a member may still nOllfy the depoSItary of
its acceptance of the amendment~ pr?vided that such
notification is made before the entry m~o force of theamendment.
S. Any member which has not notified its acceptance of an amendment by the date on which such
amendment enters into force shall cease to be a party tothis Agreement as from that date, unless such member
has satisfied the Council that its acceptance could not be
obtained in time owing to difficulties in completing its
constitutional or institutional procedures, and theCOuncil decides to extend for that member the period
for acceptance of the amendment. Such member shallnot be bound by the amendment before it has notified
its acceptance thereof.
6. If the requirements for the entry into force of theamendment have not been met by the date fIXed by theCouncil in accordance with paragraph 2 of this anicle,
the amendment shall be considered. withdrawn.

Article 39
WITIIDRAWAL

1. A member may withdraw from this Agreement at
any time after the entry into force of this Agreement bygiving written notice of withdrawal to the depositary.
That member shall simultaneously inform the Councilof the action it has taken.
2. Withdrawal shall become effective 90 days after
the notice is received by the depositary.

Article 40
EXCLUSION

If the Council decides that any member is in breach of
its obligations under this Agreement and decides further
that such breach significantly impairs the operation ofthis Agreement, it may, by special vote, exclude thatmember from this Agreement. The Council shall immediately so notify the depositary. Six months ·after thedate of the Council's decision, that member shall cease
to be a party to this Agreement.

Article 41

Article 38

SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS WITH WITHDRAWING OR EX-

AMENDMENTS

CLUDED MEMBERS OR MEMBERS UNABLE TO ACCEPT AN

1. The Council may, by special vote, recommend an
amendment of this Agreement to the members.
2. The Council shall fIX a date by which members
shall notify the depositary of their acceptance of theamendment.

AMENDMENT

1. The Council shall determine any settlement of accounts with a member which ceases to be a party to thisAgreement owing to:.
(a) Non-acceptance of an amendment to this Agreement under article 38;(b) Withdrawal from this Agreement under article
39; or

3. An amendment shall enter into force 90 days
after the depositary has received notifications of acceptance from members constituting at least two thirds of17

(c) Exclusion from this Agreement under anicle 40.

under paragraph 2 or paragraph 3 of this article, thisAgreement, as extended, shall terminate upon the entry
into force of the new agreement.
S. The Council may at any time, by special vote,decide to terminate this Agreement with effect fromsuch date as it may determine.
6. Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the Council shall continue in being for a period
not exceeding 18 months to carry out the liquidation of
the Organization, including the settlement of accounts,
and, subject to relevant decisions fo be taken by special
vote, shall have during that period such powers andfunctions as may be necessary for these purposes.
7. The Council shall notify the depositary of any
decision taken under this article.

2. The Council shall retain any contribution paid 10
the Administrative Account by a member which ceases
to be a party to this Agreement.
3. A member which has ceased to be a party to thisAgreement shall not be entitled to any share of the proceeds of liquidation or the other assets of the Organization. Nor shall such member be liable for payment ofany part of the deficit, if any, of the Organization upon
termination of this. Agreement.
Article 42
DURATION. EXTENSION AND TERMINATION

1. This Agreement shall remain in force for a periodof five years after its entry into force unless the Council,
by special vote, decides to extend, renegotiate or terminate it in accordance with the provisions of thisarticle.
2. The Council may, by special vote, decide to extend this Agreement for not more than two periods of
two years each.
3. If, before the expiry of the five-year period referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, or before the expiry of an extension period referred to in paragraph 2 ofthis article, as the case may be, a new agreement toreplace this Agreement has been negotiated but has not
yet entered into force either definitively or provisionally, the Council may, by special vote, extend thisAgreement until the provisional or definitive entry into
force of the new agreement.
4. If a new agreement is negotiated and enters into
force during any period of extension of this Agreement

Article 43
REsERVATIONS

Reservations may not be made with respect to any ofthe provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly
authorized thereto, have affixed their signatures under
this Agreement on the dates indicated.
DONE at Geneva on the eighteenth day of November,
one thousand nine hundred and eighty-three, the text of
this Agreement in the Arabic, English, French, Russianand Spanish languages being equally authentic. The
authentic Chinese text of this Agreement shall beestablished by the depositary and submitted for adoption to all signatories and States and intergovernmentalorganizations which have acceded to this Agreement.

18

- -..

~-- ...

----

ANNEXESANNEX AANNEX B

List of producllll CouDtries wltb tropical forest resources and/ or IICt
ellportenof troplca' timber In 'Volume terms, aad allocatioa of'Votes for tbe purposes of article 37

List of c:onsumlDI c:ountrles and allocation of 'Votes
for tlte purposes of .rtlcle 37

Bolivia ...•.•...•.••..••••••••.•••••..•.......•..•.......•...•..•.......•...

Brazil.••••.••.•••.•••.••••..••.....•...•••••.••....•...••..••.•.••....•••..•
Burm••.•.•...••.•...•••...•......•....••••..•...........•........•......•.
Central African Republic ....•..••.....•...••......••.•..•.•.•....•...•
Colombia .••.•..••••••••..••.•....•.••.•......••.•..•...•.•......••.....••
Congo ......•..••..•..•.•...•.......•.........••...•..•...•.•.•.•.......•...
Costa Rica ...•.....•••..........•....•.......•...•..••...•.••..•.•..•.....
Dominican Republic ....•••.•..•...•......•.••.••.••.......••••.•....•••
Ecuador •.....•••.•.•.•••••...•.•.•.....•.•.••.••...........••.•••...•.•.•.
El Salvador .•.•••..••••..•••.••...•.•••.•...•...........•...•.........•...
Oabon .......•.•••.•.••.•.•••..••••.••..••..••...••.•........•...•..•.•....
Ohana ..•..•••...••..••..•••..........•.......•.•......•....•..... ;....••...
Ou.temala .••••.....••.....•••.•...••..•..••....••.•.....•••.••..••••...••
Haiti •....•..•....•••••.•.•••••.....•.•••..•••....••.....•...•.......•...•.•.
Honduras ...•.•.•...•••...•....•......................•.•••.......•....•.•
India •.••...•.••........•.•.•...•••........•.......•.•......•...........•...
Indonesia ..••..•..•...•.•........••....•............••.................•.•..
Ivory Coast •......••.•••....•...•..•..•..•.•.....•...................•.•..
Liberia ..•....•••••...•••.••..••................•.....•.....•.....•.•..•....
Madagascar .• , .•......•.••••........•..............•.••.......••..••.••.••
Malaysi •.....••..••..••••.•••....•..•.•...•••.•..•..•.........•.•.•••••.•.•
Mexico ...••••.••....•••••..•.•.•....•.....•.....•..................••......
Nigeria ....•...•.••••....••••.....••.•.•..•.•......•••..•.•.•......•........
Panama •...••.••••.••••••.•••..•.•••.•.•....•.•.................•..........
Papua New Ouinea .................................................... .

Peru ..••.•.•••••••••.•••••.•..•••••.•.•.•.•••..••.•................•.......•

21
130

14
Arllentina ...........•........•...............••.•............•...•........
Australia •.•.•...•..•....•............•..•..••••••...••••••.••••••••••..••.
20
Austri....................................................................... . 12
Bulgaria ..•...•...........•.........•...•...•............••...............•.
10
16
Canada .••...•...••....••..•..............•............•......•.......•....
Chile ..•...........•.•..•...•.••...........•.••...........•....•••..........
10
Egypt ..•...•.•.......•..•...•......•.....•................•..•..••......•...
11
European Economic Community .................................. . (277)BelgiumlLuxembourl ••.....•...••••.•.•..•••••.••.•.•.•.•••......•
21
Denmark .....•..•..................•....••..•.••....•.••••.•..•.•......
13
France ................................................................. .
.56
Oermany, Federal Republic of ................................... .
44
Oreece ................................................................ ..
14
lreland ................................................................. .
12
Italy ................................................................... :.
41
Netherlands ........................................................... .
3S
Unittd Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland .. ..
41
Finland •• : ................................................................ .
10
Iraq ........................................................................ .
10
Israel ..................................................................... ..
12
Japan ................................................ : .................... .
330
Jordan .................................................................... .
10
Malta ..................................................... :..•....•....•....
10
New Zealand ........................................................... ..
10
Norway ................................................................... .
11
Republic of Korea ..................................................... ..
S6
Romania ................................................ : ................ .
10
Spain ....................................................................... .
24
Sweden .................................................................. ..
11
Swiuerland .............................................................. .
11
Turkey .................................................................... .
10
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ......... : ...................... .
14
United States of America ............................................ ..
79
yugoslavia ............................................................. : ..
12

31
20
23
20
9

9
14

8

21
20

la

8
9
32

139
21
20
20

126

13
20
9

24
2.S

Philippines ...•••...••....•...•.•...••.••..•.•. '" .•...•...••..............
Sudan •.••••••••••.••••••..•.•.••••.•....•.•.•.••.••.•.....•.•.•....••......
Suriname .•..•..••.••.•.•••..••...••••.•••••••.•....•.•••..••.•.••..•.•..•.
Thailand •.••••••••••..•••••••••••••••••••••••..••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Trinidad and ToballO ••••.••.•.•••••.•••.••.•••.••.••••..•.••••..••.. '"United Republic of CamerooD ..................................... ..
United Republic of Tanzania .....•......•....•...•........•.•........
Venezuela .••••••..••....•...•••.••.•..••.•....•.•.••....•.........•...•...
VietNam .•..•.......•...••.•••...........•....•.•..•..•........•..•....•..
Zaire ..•..••.••.••••.•.•.•.........•......•...••..••............•..••.•....•

43

TOTAL

1,000

20
14

19
8
20
20
IS
18

21

TOTAL

19

1,000

ANNEXC

Statistical data and specific Indicators needed as Identified for tbe monllorinl or InttnllltioDai tropical timber trade-A.

B.

&sic monthly dDta
for regular monitoring of major
tropical timber trade flowsSp«ijic supplementary data and indicatorsfrom which short-term supply-c1emand
for tropical wood can be derived

Import volumes (values): by products,
species, orilin and other available relevant
detaihExport volumes (values): by products,
species, destination and other available
relevant details
Average f.o.b. prices: for specific products
and species representative of major trade
flows

Average c.i.f. prices: for specific products
and species representative of major trade
flows.

Periodic evaluation of stocks at point of embarkation and, if possible, at intermediatestagesPeriodic evaluation of stocks at point ofdebarkation and, if possible, at intermediate stages

Forest industry production (capacity) and industrial wood input/output

Share of tropical timber in total timber trade

Removals of industrial timber from forests

Exports and re-exports of wood products

Freight rates

Building activity, housing starts,. mortgage
rates

Export quotas-trade incentives

Furniture production

Climatic obstacles-natural catastrophes
C.

Other relevant specijic information

Changes in tariffs and non-tariff obstacles

End-use surveys in major sectors using
tropical timber .
Changes in veneer surface fashion
Changes in tariffs and non-tariff obstacles
Trends in substitution among wood and withother products

D.

General economic indicators and information
directly or indirectly affecting the iDternational (tropical) timber trade

Publicly available and relevant national and international economic and financial Indicators,
e.g. gross national product, exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, terms of trade. National and international policies and measures affecting international tropical timber trade.

• Annexed pursuant to the consensus reached in the Executive Committee of the Conference on 29 Mar~h 1983.

20