ATIBT engagement is simple but efficient :
- The world's forests are an integral part of our patrimony, and are necessary in maintaining the climatic and ecological balance of the planet: therefore we must protect and develop them further.
- The tropical forest also contains a very important level of biodiversity : we must therefore help those countries that possess these forests to conserve a part of them as "protected zones/forest sanctuaries".
- However, the tropical forests also produce important and valuable renewable resources that are indispensable for countries socio-economic development. Timber, fruit, game, medicinal plants and other forest products are necessary for the daily life's and economic development of indigenous populations. The "Right to food" is now recognised by the International community. We must now therefore, develop that part of the forest that has been given over to production in a sustainable manner and for the benefit of the population as a whole. Indeed, one of the ATIBT members ambitions, as it is Civil servants, foresters, management plan specialists, industrialists and other actors implanted in tropical countries, is to be the motors of this development by contributing through their decisions, research, investments, sustainable management of the resource and their general socio-economic activities.
- Timber is a natural, renewable resource that is a result of the actions of the sun, earth and water. It is well know for its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere thus helping towards stabilising the world's climate, and reducing the greenhouse effect. Tropical timbers contain specific technical properties, for example many timber species possess a high degree of natural durability; we must therefore promote further and develop a greater understanding of the utilisation of these species in our daily life's, in complement with the use of other timber species throughout the world. This is the specific role that those research institute, University and commercial timber company members of the ATIBT.
As I have already mentioned, the ATIBT is a professional Association that regroups individuals and organisations etc from throughout the entire spectrum of the profession. It is therefore, thanks to the competences of members such as service providers (forwarding agents, shipping lines), forestry and mill material providers, that our studies, regulations and contributions have become reference points and motors for the profession.
The problems of deforestation, illegal logging and bad governance are at the heart of our preoccupations, and of our concrete actions through which we try to bring pragmatic solutions. The best forms of aid that tropical forestry countries can receive are linked with the reinforcement of the States administrative capacities, the sustainable management of concessions of all sizes, local industrialisation, the improvement of the well being of local populations, professional training, in addition to a dynamic, free and equitable world trade in forest resources.
It is the role of the ATIBT and of its diverse array of partners to help towards bridging the gap between the economic worlds of the North and the South, and thus to promote that which we all desire
"The necessary balance between ecology and economy that is otherwise known as harmonious and sustainable development."
Visitors of this site, if you are interested in participating in our actions, come and join us! Our team will be only too happy to provide you with the necessary information required for adhesion to our association, because our force also resides in the level of our competences and by our means of action.