The GFTN-Belgium (FSC Bedrijvengroep) is coordinated by an organisation called Fair Timber.
Fair Timber is a non-profit organisation for the promotion of sustainable forest management by means of credible forest certification. Fair Timber is also FSC Belgium, the Belgian FSC national initiative. WWF-Belgium is one of the founders of Fair Timber, and is currently sitting on its Board of Management.
Want to join? Find out more [in Dutch]
Major highlights include:
* Enabling Markets to Work for Forets: GFTN at the World Forestry Congress 2009.
* Africa: Study Reveals Importance of Certification in Survival of Great Apes
* B&Q Secures Biggest Volume of Tropical FSC-Certified Plywood in the World
* Showcasing GFTN's Certified Wood Market in Latin America and the Caribbean
* Harmonizing Policy and Practice in China
* Sustainable Timber Revolution at Bovis Lend Lease
* Planting the Seeds of Sustainability in West Africa
* And more on GFTN's vision in action
This is edition features the following articles:
- Feature story: A summary of the recent GFTN-UK Annual Members Meeting, which was held on 6th October at Kew Gardens
- GFTN-UK Member success stories, as well as a number of GFTN updates
- Forthcoming GFTN events
- Update on FSC's global coverage, and much more!
A message from WWF's Forest Director: I would like to inform GFTN supporters that Richard McLellan has stepped down as the Head of GFTN to take up a position in WWF’s Conservation Communications Unit. I would like to thank Richard for his leadership over the last 18 months.
WWF and the GFTN attended the XIIIth World Forestry Congress, a week-long dialogue held October 18-23, 2009 in Buenos Aires, organized by the government of Argentina in collaboration with the Forestry Department of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, attracting 4,500 participants from over 160 countries. Throughout the week speeches, workshops, round-table discussions, poster presentations, parallel events, exhibits, study and technical tours will provide a forum for the exchange of personal experiences and for discussions on topics related to the conference theme, "Forests in development – a vital balance."
The GFTN showcased its certified offering in Latin America and the Caribbean in the first Business Roundtable held within the World Forestry Congress, organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on October 21 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Strong interest in the GFTN’s certified offering was particularly expressed by companies from Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, who are seeking credibly certified sources of hardwoods native to Latin America.