Serge Wilmes took part in the 9ᵉ Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, FOREST EUROPE, in Bonn.
On Tuesday 1ᵉʳ October 2024, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, took part in the 9ᵉ Ministerial Conference for the Protection of Forests in Europe (FOREST EUROPE) in Bonn/Königswinter (1-2 October 2024).
FOREST EUROPE is the voluntary, high-level pan-European political process for dialogue and cooperation on forest policies in Europe. In particular, FOREST EUROPE develops common strategies for its 46 signatories (45 European countries and the European Union) on how to protect and sustainably manage their forests.
The main aim of the 9ᵉ ministerial conference is to improve cooperation on forest management in Europe and to share the latest advances in sustainable forest management.
«Forests know no borders, which is why cross-border and pan-European cooperation is essential. This applies in particular to knowledge transfer and digital transformation in the forestry sector.»
Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity
Serge Wilmes had the opportunity to speak at a round table on sustainable forest management as a tool for strengthening the resilience of forests. The minister informed the audience of the measures taken in Luxembourg in this respect, including the introduction of the «Klimabonus Bësch» premium, which encourages private forest owners to take part in measures to promote climate action by implementing close-to-nature forestry.
- Two documents were signed at the conference:
- a ministerial declaration entitled «FOREST EUROPE - Keeping Sustainable Forest Management fit for the future» with an annex on the working methods of the Forest Europe process; and
- a ministerial decision entitled «Sustainable forest management as a tool to enhance forest resilience» with an annex containing the terms of reference for the establishment of a forest risk facility (FoRISK).
On the fringes of the conference, Minister Serge Wilmes held an exchange of views with Estonian Climate Minister Yoko Alender on the challenges of implementing legislation on land use, land-use change and forestry, commonly known as «LULUCF».
Finally, after Germany, Sweden will take over the Presidency of FOREST EUROPE.