7 November 2014: In preparation for its 7th Ministerial Conference, FOREST EUROPE has concluded a series of meetings addressing, inter alia: criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management (SFM); the role of forests in a green economy; the need to strengthen the role of SFM in protecting forests given changing climate conditions, including through enhancing outreach and awareness raising; and opportunities and challenges associated with the valuation of forest ecosystem services.

With regard to international processes, the meetings considered the future of FOREST EUROPE as a process supporting the implementation of national forest policies as well as the links between forest management in Europe and the ongoing discussions on a legally binding agreement on forests. In particular, some participants in the Expert Level Meeting (ELM) issued a letter affirming their view that a legally binding agreement on forests in Europe is a necessity if SFM is to be effectively supported and a bio-economy based on forests is to emerge.

Both the ELM and the preparatory meeting for the Ministerial Conference were convened in Cuenca, Spain. It is expected that the final agenda for the Ministerial Conference will be agreed upon in January 2015 ahead of the October 2015 Conference. [FOREST EUROPE Press Release 1] [FOREST EUROPE Press Release 2]