7 October 2014: The European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN) celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting significant achievements such as the adoption and implementation of the pan-European genetic conservation strategy for forest trees and the establishment of tree genetic resource in situ conservation sites.

Other achievements noted in the celebration include the establishment of the European Information System on Forest Genetic Resources (EUFGIS), the publication of technical guidelines on the conservation of tree genetic resources, and the development of distribution maps on forest genetic resources.

EUFORGEN is a platform for collaboration among European countries and serves as a coordination mechanism for joint action as well as a distribution center for research, data and scientific based management strategies. The platform was founded to safeguard the genetic diversity of trees in Europe and was established as a follow up to the 2007 Warsaw Conference, during which the Warsaw Declaration in support of sustainable forest management (SFM) and the enhancement of forest biodiversity was adopted.

A side event to celebrate the anniversary will be convened on the 3 November 2014 by Bioversity International and FOREST EUROPE at the margins of the FOREST EUROPE ministerial preparatory meetings to be held in Cuenca, Spain. Bioversity International is part of the CGIAR consortium. [Bioveristy International Press Release] [EUFORGEN Website] [Video: EUFORGEN – 20 years of pan-European Collaboration] [FOREST EUROPE Press Release] [FOREST EUROPE Press Release]