FOREST EUROPE Preparing the Sixth Ministerial Conference, including a possible legal instrument on forests EFI Annual Conference 15 September 2010, Dresden, Germany Dr. Malgorzata Briggs/Berit Hauger Lindstad Senior advisers FOREST EUROPE Liaison Unit Oslo

Signatories: 46 European countries + EU Observers: 48 countries and organisations Sustainable forest management in Europe Voluntary cooperation FOREST EUROPE – Regional policy process

STRASBOURG 1990 HELSINKI 1993 LISBON 1998 VIENNA 2003 WARSAW 2007 V Ministerial Conferences Oslo June 2011 Milestones in forest policy development in Europe (1990 – ongoing) RIO 1992

FOREST EUROPE achievements Solid platform for pan-European cooperation Framework for global-regional interface Developed sustainable forest management in Europe: –Agreed definition –Guidelines –Tools, including Criteria and Indicators Framework for monitoring, assessment and reporting

The Challenges Crucial role of sustainable forest management – not evident to or recognised by society –Contributions to a green economy –Mitigating climate change –Balancing the different functions of forests Environmental, economic and social benefits from forests are threatened by global warming, e.g. storms, fires, drought, pests and diseases Increased demands from society, e.g. for renewable energy Forests higher on political agendas – Holistic approach at risk ?

Towards Sixth Ministerial Conference June 2011, Oslo Protect multiple forest functions and ensure long term provision of goods and services from forests in Europe Strengthen the contributions of European forests to sustainable development – at global, regional and national levels Enhance implementation of sustainable forest management Visualise contributions by forests, International Year of Forests Political priorities and future direction of FOREST EUROPE: Strengthen European framework for cooperation

Preparing for the Sixth Ministerial Conference Possible elements of ministerial decisions: Shared long term vision and goals for Europes forests Set of 2015 Targets on forests in Europe Possible legal instrument on forests in Europe Priority actions in follow up of Conference

Work on a possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe (2008-ongoing) Background and mandate: 5 th Ministerial Conference, Warsaw Poland, 2007: Challenges and needs for stronger commitments Urgent need for a comprehensive way to address sustainable forest management and threats on forests Balance emerging conflicts between different forest functions Bridge gaps between possible contradicting interests related to forests

Scoping exercise – tasks of two working groups Emerging challenges on forests and forestry in Europe, where legal instrument could play a role Added value Possible type of a legal agreement – options and alternatives Possible institutional arrangements Possible costs Possible impact on other legislations, instruments and processes Non-paper on key issues and options Draft ministerial decision

Recommendations from the 1 st Working Group A legal framework - effective policy option for addressing challenges and opportunities for forests Objective: secure all functions of forests and enhance sustainable management of forests and improve cooperation at European level to this end Work towards a framework agreement, broad European objectives and obligations, and national standards and measures A legal agreement would not necessarily replace FOREST EUROPE, but could be complementary The effectiveness and strength will depend on the number of countries participating

State of Play 2 nd Working Group on preparing options for a decision by ministers on possible legally binding agreement on forests in Europe (2009-ongoing) Finalising non-paper on legally binding agreement on forests in Europe Recommendations for a ministerial decision (to be discussed in September/October 2010) National consultation National positions to be elaborated Ministerial Conference (14-16 June 2011, Oslo Norway) Consideration to launch negotiations

Looking for synergies Europe: Diversity in priorities, common challenges and opportunities for forests Join efforts to address direct and indirect drivers of global environmental challenges effecting forests in Europe and beyond Pan-European commitments will foster and strengthen the EU objectives on forests The role of Europe in global policy debate can be further strengthened Stronger and reinforced science-policy interface

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