31 March 2015: Across Europe, new publications and projects and ongoing policy discussions are supporting expanded action on sustainable forest management (SFM).

The World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced a partnership with the Government of Belarus to enhance the contribution of forests to sustainable development. The project, valued at over US$43 million, will support afforestation and reforestation, invest in new technologies for nurseries and silviculture, expand the use of felling residue, and improve the management of forest fires and forest pests.

The World Bank, through the Program on Forests (PROFOR), is also supporting a pilot project in Republic of Moldova for the use of information technology in forest governance. The project is developing web-based technologies to calculate timber volumes and map nationally managed forest plots. The pilot project is also being implemented in Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Supporting the ongoing implementation of projects, FOREST EUROPE is continuing to advance policy discussions in the region. At a preparatory meeting for the 7th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference, participants outlined the possible elements of a decision, including the role of forests in a green economy and social aspects of SFM. The preparatory meeting also considered a draft roadmap and terms of reference for an expert group working on defining the future of FOREST EUROPE. Additional work supported by FOREST EUROPE will update the pan-European indicators for SFM, which will benefit from two online consultations to facilitate a broad participatory process.

FOREST EUROPE also released a series of ‘Infographics’ on forests in Europe in order to build awareness of their status, value and threats. The graphics highlight the fact that Europe is the only region that has experienced a net increase in forest cover over the last 20 years. In addition to the general Infographics, more detailed publications address the environmental functions of forests, the economic value of forests and the social benefits provided by forests. [World Bank Press Release] [GEF Press Release] [PROFOR Press Release] [Publication: Information and Communication Technology for Forest Law Enforcement and Governance] [FOREST EUROPE Press Release on Ministerial Conference] [FOREST EUROPE Press Release on SFM Indicators] [Publication: Infographic – European Forests] [Publication: Infographic – Environmental functions of forests] [Publication: Infographic – Economic value of forests] [Publication: Infographic – Social benefits of forests]