3. Minor Treaty Action
   1. Minor treaty actions are, in most instances, technical amendments to existing treaties that do not significantly impact the national interest. They are presented to the Committee with an explanatory statement and are published on the Committee’s website unless a request for confidentiality is received and agreed to by the Committee.
   2. The Committee can choose to formally inquire into these treaty actions or accept them without a formal inquiry. Once considered they are incorporated into a report of the Committee at the next opportunity.
   3. The Committee has been referred the following minor treaty action.

Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006

Referral of the proposed minor treaty action

3.4On 30 October 2025, the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, referred the Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006.

Background

3.5The International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), first adopted in 1983 and renewed in 1994 and 2006, is a multilateral treaty focused on tropical forests.[1] It provides a framework for cooperation between tropical timber-producing and -consuming countries in the promotion of sustainable forest management and legal timber trade (Article 1).[2]

3.6The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, implements the ITTA.[3] It is an intergovernmental body with 76 members, including 37 tropical timber producing countries and 39 tropical timber consuming countries.[4] The importance of ITTO’s work lies in its role in balancing economic development with environmental protection.[5] Tropical forests are critical for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of millions of people, yet they face severe threats from deforestation and illegal logging.[6]

Proposed minor treaty action

3.7The proposed treaty action is an amendment to the term of the ITTA 2006, extending it for three years until 2029.[7]

3.8The ITTA 2006 provides that the agreement remains in force for ten years unless the Council of the ITTO, of which Australia is a voting member, decides to extend, renegotiate or terminate it.[8] Under Article 44(2), the Council may extend the agreement by special vote for an initial five-year period and then an additional three years, requiring a two-thirds majority of producer members and 60 per cent majority of consumer members.[9]

3.9Australia supported the initial five-year extension in December 2021 and in May 2024, the Council unanimously voted for a final three-year extension from 7December 2026 to 6 December 2029.[10] The amendment enters into force immediately without further ratification steps.[11]

Justifications

3.10Extending the ITTA is in Australia’s national interest as it allows Australia to keep benefiting from the work of the ITTO and its role in global tropical timber trade.[12]Extending the agreement until 2029 gives enough time for a thorough review and negotiations on a new agreement beyond that date.[13] Continuing support for the ITTA shows Australia’s commitment to improving tropical forest management, strengthens partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, and promotes Australia’s expertise in sustainable forestry.[14] Supporting the extension is consistent with Australia’s past support for ITTO and aligns with its involvement in the UN forestry framework, while also enabling contributions to ITTO’s cost-effective funding system.[15]

3.11The amendment reinforces the objectives of the ITTA 2006, which aims to balance ‘the economic benefits of tropical timber trade with the urgent need for forest conservation’.[16] By ratifying this treaty, Australia demonstrates its commitment to global efforts to promote the sustainable livelihoods provided by tropical forests, while also reducing deforestation and illegal logging.[17] This aligns with Australia’s domestic policies under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024[18] and international obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.[19]

3.12Australia’s participation ensures it retains a voice on the Council, which sets standards and allocates funding for tropical forestry projects.[20]

3.13The amendment provides continuity for the ITTA framework, which underpins transparent and predictable trade in tropical timber.[21] For Australian businesses importing tropical timber products, this stability reduces compliance risks and supports market access in countries that require adherence to ITTO standards.[22]

Legislative changes

3.14The extension of the ITTA means the Australian Government will continue paying the necessary annual contributions to the ITTO. The amendment does not introduce any new financial obligations or rules for Australian businesses, individuals, or community groups.[23]No legislative changes are required in the implementation of the amendment.[24]

Conclusion

3.15The Committee resolved that:

• the Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 be endorsed as minor treaty action without inquiry;
• binding treaty action be recommended in relation to the Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006.

Ms Lisa Chesters MP

Chair

Footnotes

[1]Explanatory Statement 19 of 2025, Amendment to the International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006, (ES 19), para 6.

[2]International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (Geneva, 27 January 2006) [2011] UNTS 2797, p. 75, Article 1.

[3]ES 19, para 7.

[4]International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), ITTO members under ITTA, 2006,https://www.itto.int/about_itto/members/ (accessed 17 November 2025).

[5]International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (Geneva, 27 January 2006) [2011] UNTS 2797, p. 75, Article 1; Environmental Studies (EVS) Institute, ITTO: Supporting Sustainable Trade and Conservation in Tropical Forests, August 27 2024, https://evs.institute/biodiversity-conservation-and-management/itto-sustainable-trade-conservation-tropical-forests/ (accessed 17 November 2025).

[6]World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Tropical forests explained: What's at stake and what we can do, 3 November 2025,https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?15086466/Tropical-forests-explained-Whats-at-stake-and-what-we-can-do (accessed 17 November 2025).

[7]ES 19, para 1.

[8]ES 19, paras 6 & 8.

[9]ES 19, para 9.

[10]ES 19, paras 9-10.

[11]ES 19, para 10.

[12]ES 19, paras 11 & 12.

[13]ES 19, para 12.

[14]ES 19, para 13.

[15]ES 19, para 14.

[16]Environmental Studies (EVS) Institute, ITTO: Supporting Sustainable Trade and Conservation in Tropical Forests, August 27 2024 (accessed 17 November 2025).

[17]Environmental Studies (EVS) Institute, ITTO: Supporting Sustainable Trade and Conservation in Tropical Forests, August 27 2024 (accessed 17 November 2025).

[18]Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024.

[19]United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Sustainable Development, Goals: 15, https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal15 (accessed 17 November 2025).

[20]ITTO, Council and committees, https://www.itto.int/council_committees/ (accessed 17 November 2025).

[21]International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (Geneva, 27 January 2006) [2011] UNTS 2797, p. 75, Article 1.

[22]International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006 (Geneva, 27 January 2006) [2011] UNTS 2797, p. 75, Article 1.

[23]ES 19, para 3.

[24]ES 19, para 15.