At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan and FAO. At its 9th meeting, on 14 May, the Forum continued its high-level general debate and heard statements by the representatives of Ecuador (on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), Cote d’Ivoire and Brazil. At its 8th meeting, on 14 May, the Forum held the high-level round table co-chaired by the Chair of the Forum, Noel Nelson Messone (Gabon), and the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture of Germany, Christian Schmidt.