Over 230 delegates from nearly 20 countries attended the recent World of Wood conference in New Orleans, the annual forum for companies importing woods and wood products into the US.
The conference, organised by the International Wood Products Association, heard from a variety of speakers, including David Cassells, senior environmental specialist at the World Bank, who detailed the Bank’s forest lending policies, which will enable it to better support efforts to sustainably conserve and manage tropical forests.
With homeland security a prime concern, Deen Kaplan, of Hogan 7 Hartson, discussed how the events of September 11 have resulted in many new security initiatives and mandates for the US Custom and Coast Guard.
Mark Rey, from the US Department of Agriculture, commended the IWPA for its work on behalf of the industry, and encouraged the association to continue its involvement and support for the Tropical Forest Foundation.
