International Council of Forest and Paper Associations Established

17 July 2002 - Trade associations in 39 countries representing industries accounting for 75 percent of the world's paper and more than 50 percent of the world's wood production today announced the formal establishment of its first-ever global association, the International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA), to work together on issues affecting forest and paper producers around the world.

The ICFPA is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to working with other stakeholders to ensure that environmental, social and economic benefits of our natural resources are available to current and future generations. The members elected W. Henson Moore, President and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), to serve as ICFPA’s first president for the term 2002-2004.

"This is an important step for the global forest products community," said ICFPA President W. Henson Moore. "Through the ICFPA, forest and paper associations from around the world will have the opportunity to work together on the global stage."

The main goal of the ICFPA is to serve as a forum for joint action in areas ranging from communications to data collection. ICFPA members will also co-operate on international matters and develop and promote common positions. ICFPA will represent the industry in multilateral organisations, and is launching a website at http://www.icfpa.org.