Dubai WoodShow 2017 to launch ‘Timber Legality and Climate Change’ Forum

Dubai WoodShow 2017, in association with the International Technical Tropical Timber Association (ATIBT), will organise the Timber Legality and Climate Change Forum in Dubai from 4th to 6th March 2017.

The Dubai WoodShow, which is the biggest wood industry trade show in the Middle East, will be held from 7th to 9th March, at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The conference will be held under the patronage of UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and will discuss the potential of forests, share new technologies and renewable products, exhibit solutions in the timber industry, and call on governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote investment in forests.

Through a memorandum signed with Dubai WoodShow, ATIBT will set up headquarters in Dubai to oversee preparations for the event until its commencement in 2017. Over the last 25 years, ATIBT has been organizing a forum for every two years either in a developing country or an importing country with the aim of promoting the sustainable, ethical and legal trade of tropical timber as a natural and renewable resource.

Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman, Strategic Marketing and Exhibitions, organisers of Dubai WoodShow, says: "Sustainability is the future of this industry. The ATIBT Conference is key for discussing initiatives, which will help the socio-economic development of timber producing countries. As the Middle East’s leading platform for wood and woodworking machinery, DWS takes pride in hosting this forum, which will be a milestone for the wood industry in the region."

In recent years, ATIBT has become a key partner for various timber stakeholders as well as European governmental institutions, playing a crucial role in the implementation of international programs.

"We anticipate that the inaugural edition of the conference will attract participation from prominent countries and decision makers in the internal wood industry," he added.

ATIBT was founded in 1951, prompted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

In 2017, The Dubai WoodShow exhibition is set to acquire a space of 15000 sq. m - larger than its previous edition, and will enable traders, manufacturers, suppliers and dealers with ample opportunities to showcase their products, innovative technologies, production scenarios and large-scale machinery.

The strong presence of international wood and woodworking companies, associations and media has continuously provided the show with the newest trade techniques, industry knowledge and innovative technologies. It serves as a highly effective and result-driven platform for leading companies from across the globe to showcase their leading-edge products at an internationally recognized trade fair.

Greater cooperation between the wood industries across different regions will help accelerate the adoption of ethical forest management practices.