Shaping our future with resilient forests

The 9th Ministerial Conference of FOREST EUROPE, held on October 1st and 2nd near Bonn, gathered more than 160 delegates from 34 European countries, the European Commission, Australia, and 24 observer organizations. This diverse group came together with a shared mission: to shape the future of Sustainable Forest Management. In the face of growing environmental challenges, the conference marked a pivotal moment in strengthening Europe’s commitment to protecting and managing its forests for future generations.

The event opened with a warm welcome from Germany’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, who served as master of ceremonies on the first day. Özdemir highlighted the milestones achieved under the German Chairmanship of FOREST EUROPE over the past four years, setting the tone for what was to come. He acknowledged the hard work of all the involved nations and stressed the importance of continued collaboration to tackle the pressing challenges facing Europe’s forests. On the second day, Bernt Farcke, General Director of the Ministry, took the helm as master of ceremonies and gracefully concluded the event, underscoring the joint efforts that had led to numerous accomplishments during the conference.

One of the key achievements from the conference was the decision to establish FoRISK, a new collaborative platform based at the European Forest Institute in Bonn. This initiative is designed to enhance forest resilience and promote sustainable management practices across Europe, providing a strong foundation for future efforts. FoRISK will serve as an advisory hub, helping to prevent and manage climate-related forest damage—an essential step in safeguarding European forests in an era of increasing environmental risks.

We were also pleased to present our publication: Are European forests fit for a sustainable future? A short story about European forests that explores the complexities of European forests. Authored by independent experts engaged by the Liaison Unit Bonn, these narratives aim to provoke discussion rather than propose specific actions or recommendations.

Drawing on the State of Europe’s Forests 2020, the short stories highlight key policy questions deserving attention, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing forest management today. They are structured around the six Criteria for Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), emphasizing the need to balance diverse societal demands with often conflicting policy objectives. In a time when forests are at the center of political and public discourse, these stories reflect on the evolving challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

Bonn 2024

Shaping our future with resilient forests

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