30.01.2026
On January 14, several ATIBT officials took part in the 23rd plenary meeting of the Scientific and Technical Committee on Forestry (CST-F), held at the French Development Agency (AFD). This meeting provided an opportunity to actively contribute to collective discussions on the future direction of the CST-F and to reaffirm ATIBT's commitment to this leading body.
What is the Scientific and Technical Forestry Committee (CST-F)?
As a reminder, the Scientific and Technical Committee on Forests (CST-F) created a few years ago is a multi-stakeholder platform that aims to inform French and international public policy on forests, based on recognized scientific and technical work. It brings together researchers, public institutions, NGOs, economic actors, and experts to produce analyses, opinions, and recommendations on major forestry issues.
Its work covers, in particular, the definition and measurement of forests, the fight against deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management, certification, ecosystem services, and the links between forests, climate, and development.
ATIBT, an active member of the CST-F
ATIBT is a member of the CST-F and regularly participates in its work. Through this involvement, the Association helps to promote the cause of sustainably managed tropical forest and timber industries and to highlight the central role of sustainable forest management, certification, and forest concessions in the preservation of tropical forests and the socio-economic development of producer countries.
This participation also enables ATIBT to monitor and contribute to the scientific and technical discussions that shape current debates on forests, including sensitive topics such as the definition of forests, the assessment of deforestation, and the contribution of certification systems.
Publications of particular relevance to the forest-wood sector
Among the CST-F's publications, several are of particular interest to ATIBT and its members. They address issues related to the definition of forests, methods for assessing deforestation, and the role of forest certification as a tool for sustainable management and credibility on international markets.
This work contributes to structuring debates for the sector, in a context marked by the evolution of international regulatory frameworks, including the European Regulation against Deforestation (RDUE).
Review of the 23rd plenary meeting on January 14
The 23rd plenary meeting of the CST-F, held on January 14 at the AFD, provided an opportunity for collective reflection on the second phase of the Committee, focusing on two main areas:
· the formalization of the CST-F's operating procedures in its second phase;
· the joint development of priority themes and the annual work program.
These discussions laid the foundations for a strengthened program aimed at consolidating the CST-F's impact on scientific and political debates related to forests.
The presentation materials and all information relating to this meeting are available on the CST-F website.
The ATIBT intends to continue and strengthen its commitment to the CST-F. In particular, it will mobilize to propose and contribute to projects related to its priorities, such as the evolution of forest management plans in the Congo Basin, the development of payments for ecosystem services (PES), and the recognition of sustainable management models and tropical forest certification in public policies and market regulations.
