International Tropical Timber Agreement

 

Chapter VIII
Relationship with Common fund for Commodities

Article 26
Relationship with Common fund for Commodities

When the Common Fund becomes operational, the Organization shall take
full advantage of the facilities of the Second Account of the Common Fund
according to the principles set out in the Agreement establishing the
Common Fund for Commodities.

Chapter IX
Statistics, Studies and Information

Article 27
Statistics, Studies and Information

1. The Council shall establish close relationships with appropriate
intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations, in
order to help ensure the availability of recent and reliable data and
information on all factors concerning tropical timber. The Organization,
in co-operation with such organizations, shall compile, collate and, as
necessary, publish such statistical information on production, supply,
trade, stocks, consumption and market prices of tropical timber, and on
related areas, as is necessary for the operation of this Agreement.

2. Members shall, to the fullest extent possible not inconsistent with
their national legislation, furnish, within a reasonable time, statistics
and information on tropical timber requested by the Council.

3. The Council shall arrange to have any necessary studies undertaken of
the trends and of short- and long-term problems of the world tropical
timber market.

4. The Council shall ensure that information furnished by members shall
not be used in such a manner as to prejudice the confidentiality of the
operations of persons or companies producing, processing or marketing
tropical timber.

Article 28
Annual Report and Review

1. The Council shall, within six months after the close of each calendar
year, publish an annual report on its activities and such other
information as it considers appropriate.

2. The Council shall annually review and assess the world tropical timber
situation and exchange views on the outlook for, and other issues closely
related to, the world tropical timber economy, including ecological and
environmental aspects.

3. The review shall be carried out in the light of:

(a) Information supplied by members in relation to national
production, trade, supply, stocks, consumption and prices of tropical
timber;

(b) Statistical data and specific indicators provided by members on
the areas listed in annex C; and

(c) Such other relevant information as may be available to the
Council either directly or through the appropriate organizations in the
United Nations System and appropriate intergovernmental, governmental or
non-governmental organizations.

4. The results of the review shall be included in the reports of the
Council’s deliberations.

Chapter X
Miscellaneous

Article 29
Complaints and Disputes

Any complaint that a member has failed to fulfil its obligations under
this Agreement and any dispute concerning the interpretation or
application of this Agreement shall be referred to the Council for
decision. Decisions of the Council on these matters shall be final and
binding.

Article 30
General Obligations of Members

1. Members shall for the duration of this Agreement use their best
endeavours and co-operate to promote the attainment of its objectives and
to avoid any action contrary thereto.

2. Members undertake to accept as binding decisions of the Council under
the provisions of this Agreement and shall seek to refrain from
implementing measures which would have the effect of limiting or running
counter to them.

Article 31
Relief from Obligations

1. Where it is necessary on account of exceptional circumstances or
emergency or force majeure not expressly provided for in this Agreement,
the Council may, by special vote, relieve a member of an obligation under
this Agreement if it is satisfied by an explanation from that member
regarding the reasons why the obligation cannot be met.

2. The Council in granting relief to a member under paragraph i of this
article, shall state explicitly the terms and conditions on which, and
the period for which, the member is relieved of such obligation, and the
reasons for which the relief is granted.

Article 32
Differential and Remedial Measures and Special Measures

1. Developing importing members whose interests are adversely affected by
measures taken under this Agreement may apply to the Council for
appropriate differential and remedial measures. The Council shall
consider taking appropriate measures in accordance with section III
paragraphs 3 and 4, of resolution 93 (IV) of the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development.

2. Members in the category of least developed countries as defined by the
United Nations may apply to the Council for special measures in
accordance with section III, paragraph 4, of resolution 93 (IV) and with
paragraph 82 of the Substantial New Programme of Action for the 1980s for
the Least Developed Countries.

Chapter XI
Final Provisions

Article 33
Dpositary

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is hereby designated as the
depositary of this Agreement.

Article 34
Signature, Ratification, Acceptance and Approval

1. This Agreement shall be open for signature at United Nations
Headquarters from 2 January 1984 until one month after the date of its
entry into force by Governments invited to the United Nations Conference
on Tropical Timber, 1983.

2. Any Government referred to in paragraph 1 of this article may:

(a) At the time of signing this Agreement, declare that by such
signature it expresses its consent to be bound by this Agreement
(definitive signature); or

(b) After signing this Agreement, ratify, accept or approve it by the
deposit of an instrument to that effect with the depositary.

 

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

International Tropical Timber Agreement, United Nations System.