Facing major challenges in the Pan-European forest sector, including climate change, extreme weather events, outbreaks of pests, diseases and invasive species, as well as forest fires, signatory countries of FOREST EUROPE convened in Stockholm, Sweden, on 2–3 June 2026 under the theme “Sustainable Forests for Resilient Societies.” The conference brought together ministers, national delegations, international organisations, and scientists from across the sector. BWI attended the event as an observer.

According to Peter Kullgren, Sweden’s Minister for Rural Affairs and current Chair of FOREST EUROPE, “The forests throughout our entire continent play a crucial role for Europe’s economy, our joint preparedness and the climate.”

A key outcome of the conference was the signing of the Stockholm Ministerial Declaration, which sets the future direction of Pan-European forest policy. The declaration reaffirms signatory countries’ commitment to strengthening forest resilience for future generations and developing common strategies to advance sustainable forest management across the region. It also confirms sustainable forestry as a fundamental principle and highlights the importance of forests for preparedness, resilient value chains, reliable knowledge, and Europe’s long-term stability.

The countries present also recognised the significant role of the intergovernmental platform, which will continue to facilitate the exchange of information on sustainable forest management and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders. This enhanced collaboration is expected to support progress while avoiding duplication of efforts among organisations.

Several panel discussions were organised on topics including sustainable forest management, wildfires, Europe’s forest workforce of tomorrow, biodiversity financing, and the role of forests in geopolitical preparedness. One panellist highlighted that wildfire prevention in the Alpine region has become a shared responsibility among forest services, fire brigades, and civil protection authorities, stressing that forest conversion is a key component of prevention strategies. Another speaker underscored the massive biodiversity financing gap, estimated at USD 700 billion annually worldwide to halt biodiversity loss by 2030, alongside the additional EUR 21.5 billion needed each year to implement the EU Biodiversity Strategy. This highlighted both the limitations of public funding and the need to mobilise greater private-sector investment.

Discussions on Europe’s future forest workforce emphasised the need to close gender gaps in the sector and make forestry more attractive to young people through digitalisation, artificial intelligence, green jobs, and forest education in schools. The situation in Ukraine was also discussed, with participants paying tribute to the country’s forestry workers. Since the outbreak of war, 2,382 forestry workers have been mobilised, 208 have been killed, 330 injured, and 20 percent of Ukraine’s forests have become inaccessible.

Against this backdrop, BWI’s participation was important, providing an opportunity to network, learn about developments in the forestry sector, and share with members and observers the work it has been undertaking through various international bodies and certification schemes.

Albania was selected as the next Chair of FOREST EUROPE for the coming four-year term. The country is expected to help strengthen participation from South-East Europe, among other priorities.

FOREST EUROPE comprises 44 European countries and was established in the 1990s.