The International Tropical Timber Council announced today funding of US$3.5 million towards a new program aimed at reducing deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics and an additional US$5.1 million for new projects and activities for the conservation and sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources.The Council is the governing body of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). It meets at least once a year to discuss a wide-ranging agenda aimed at promoting sustainable tropical forest management and the trade of sustainably produced tropical timber. The funds pledged this week at its 44th Session are in addition to the US$3.1 million committed in the first half of the year and announced in a June meeting in Accra, Ghana, bringing the total pledged in 2008 to US$11.7 million. Council also adopted the ITTO Action Plan 2008-2011 at this session and took a ground-breaking decision to establish several thematic programs (called for in the ITTA, 2006) on a pilot basis. Programs on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade; Community Forest Management and Enterprises; Trade and Market Transparency; Industry Development and Efficiency; and Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services in Tropical Forests were approved. The Government of Norway pledged US$3.5 million to the program on Reducing Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancing Environmental Services in Tropical Forests at this session, with several other donors also expressing interest in this program. Further consultations will be undertaken to attract additional funds for all of the thematic programs. This Council session financed 11 projects and 2 pre-projects for a total amount of US$3.9 million, including two projects to assist Liberia to develop its forest policy and revive forestry education in the wake of its emergence from a long period of conflict. Funds were also provided for projects to manage bamboo forests in the north-western region of Peru, to develop an approach to integrated forest fire management in Panama, and to assist rural communities with the sustainable utilization and marketing of non-timber forest products including handicrafts in the Philippines. The Freezailah Fellowship Fund was also topped up by Council, to allow this valuable program to continue offering awards to deserving candidates. http://appablog.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/us86-million-in-new-funds-for-tropical-forests-new-thematic-programs-attract-additional-funding-11-new-projects-launched-action-plan-agreed/