The annual meeting (see documents) of the UNECE Timber Committee was held September 27-30, 2005 in Geneva.  Information is available on Market Discussion Timber Committee Market Statement Data tables with forecasts by product for 2005-2006 (provisional)
Presentations made during market discussion
National Market Statements
Forest Products Annual Market Review 2004-2005 (and executive summary)
Statistical data 2000-2004
Meeting report (not yet available)
Policy Forum
The UNECE and FAO hosted a policy forum on September 29th 2005. It focused on the following two questions:
1. Should governments use forest certification to promote sustainable forest management, and if so, how?
2. Forest certification is an obstacle to international trade: do its benefits outweigh its disadvantages, and how can governments promote trade in wood and forest products which is sustainable in all respects?
Presentations made at the forum;
Summary of conclusions;
Forum proceedings (not yet available).
Forest and timber sector expresses concern for economic viability.
Illegal logging and the public image of wood:
Markets for forest products continue at record levels;
This is the headline of the press release issued today from the Timber;
Committee Market Discussions last week.
The press release gives some overview bullet points and contains the
official Timber Committee Market Statement for 2005 and 2006. Summary
tables of forecasts are available. Full tables of forecasts by country
and by product, and expert presentations, are available from the joint
Timber Committee and FAO European Forestry Commission homepage, address below.