5-7 November 2007, Warsaw – Centre for Dialogue on European Forests

16 ministers responsible for forests and forestry, delegations from over 40 European states, the European Commission and delegates from organizations and international institutions are participating in the 5th Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, which began on Monday in Warsaw. The background for this political debate regarding the role of forests in the life of modern society are the threats from civilization development, human pressure on natural resources and inevitable consequences of climate change. The main objective of this two-day conference is to assure that Europe’s  forests remain to be managed sustainably and benefit everybody to the best of their potential. 

The main challenge of the Summit  “Forests for Quality of Life” is to maintain forests in public debates on both social and economic dimensions with simultaneous observance of commitments resulting from the need to protect European forests.

The Warsaw Conference was opened by Prof. Lech Kaczyński, the President of Poland. Reconciliation of two important issues: economic development and protection of natural environment was emphasized in the opening address.

The Co-chair of the meeting, Prof. Jan Szyszko, the Minister of Environment of Poland, pointed out the role of forests in the development of the European society. He also marked that these issues constitute a base of the ministerial commitments to be signed during the Warsaw Conference. „Forests can improve the quality of our life through their contribution in mitigating climate change, water resources protection, and as a provider of the biomass for energy purposes” - the Minister said. - „Especially at present, when after decades of decline and concerns about the state of our forests, good government policies and positive management have returned healthier and abundant forests”.

According to the Report on State of Europe’s Forests 2007 presented at the Conference, both the area of forests and their productive potential are increasing. Over the last 15 years, Europe has gained 13 million hectares of new forest areas, which is equal to the territory of Greece. The quantity of wood resources is also constantly growing.

Terje Riis-Johansen, Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, said at the press conference on the opening day that participants of this meeting want to establish the most effective strategy that will increase the use of forest biomass for renewable energy and for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions . Another essential subject of the debate is the use of wood resources as a renewable raw material in both traditional industries and on the constantly growing market of renewable energy sources. Jose Luis Herranz Saez, representative of Spain, spoke about the significant role of forests in the mitigation of floods desertification and soil erosion. He emphasized the importance of co-ordination of forest and water policy and management practices as well as economic valuation of water-related forest services. Gerhard Mannberger from Austria drew attention to the regional and global scope of cooperation, and particularly to the role of MCPFE in harmonizing the understanding on forest management in Europe. He underlined that mission is not accomplished and Europe should be ready to establish a stronger  international forest regime.

The MCPFE Conference is the first political meeting of such significance in the history of the Polish forestry. It is attended by eminent guests, such as Mariann Fischer Boel - EU Commissioner for the Agriculture and Rural Development and Marek Belka - Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. Sevugan Regupathy - Minister of Environment and Forestry of India attends the Conference as on observer.

The subject matter of the ministerial debate has passed the walls of the conference room. A happening organized by the State Forests took place on the streets of Warsaw. During this event, actors dressed in costumes from a play entitled “Freaks and the forest holiday”, accompanied by students of forestry colleges, handed out seedlings of trees consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI to the inhabitants of Warsaw.

Poland and Norway are organizers of the 5th Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe. Ministers representing both countries and ministers from Austria and Spain constitute the MCPFE General Coordinating Committee.

Four Ministerial Conferences: in Strasbourg (1990), Helsinki (1993), Lisbon (1998) and Vienna (2003), have been held so far.